Reflection in Kyoto

On the sunday I took myself off to Kyoto, for one final visit. I decided that I wanted to see a temple or 2 that I hadn't visited before, and to soak in the atmosphere and history of one of my favourite places in Japan. Unfortunately the morning was very rainy, and the city buses were all full to bursting. For the first hour, therefore, I felt a little lost, bewildered, and just not quite genki enough to cope with the crowds and weather. So, I went to Starbucks to collect my thoughts and get a vitamin C boost! Haha! I had a quick read of my trusty Lonely Planet (which is now well and truly knackered), worked out where I wanted to go (Nanzen-ji), got my elbows at the ready for the crowded buses, and set off! I had briefly stopped at Nanzen-ji on my last visit to Kyoto....but it served as merely a shelter from the rain, and it wasn't until I was back at the hostel that I realised where I had been! So this time, I was going to explore it properly, and have a good old wander. Luckily for me, the rain stopped just as I got off the bus at the stop nearest the temple, and the sun and blue sky started to make a timid appearance. I spent some time looking around the temple, taking pictures around the gardens, and exploring the small shrines and temples that are dotted around nearby. It all felt very relaxing, and very zen!

After Nanzen-ji I decided I would go to the Heian Shrine....again! I went last time, and I just love that place! I love the bright colour. I love the huge, in-your-face, freshly painted torii as you approach the shrine. So many of the temples in Kyoto are simple, muted, naturally beautiful places. I just love the fact that the Heian Shrine is the complete opposite...loud, proud, and grand! I was lucky enough to see another wedding party in the grounds having photgraphs taken (like last year!), and I enjoyed watching all the other tourists running after the fake dress-up maikos, desperately trying to get a classic Japan shot!

One of my other reasons for going to Kyoto, was to buy some artwork / prints to go home with. I have so many bits and bobs to put in my future house...wherever, and whenever that may be...stuff from Japan of course, but also hangings from Thailand, fabric from Hong Kong, and trinkets from Korea. I decided that I wanted to have a really nice print or something as a lasting souvenir from Japan (in addition to my kitty-chan danglers, and notebook of purikura!). In the end, I chose 2 beautiful woodblock paintings from a cool shop near the Heian Shrine. One is of Senso-ji in Asakusa, Tokyo (where I visited last week), and the other is of Kintaikyo (where I have been maybe 6 or 7 times!). I love them, and I can't wait to frame them and display them proudly somewhere one day!

For the rest of my time in Kyoto, I wandered down Pontocho (famous maiko/geisha spotting area), had delicious ton-katsu at at a fab restaurant that Alex had recommended, and did a spot more shopping (although just window-shopping!). I love Kyoto, and as I walked around I realised how sad I felt that I will soon be leaving Japan, and will not see Kyoto again until some time in the future (when I hope to bring my family back to Japan for a holiday to show them where I lived and worked once upon a time!). It's days and weekends, and indeed weeks in Japan, when you wander around a place, and the sun is shining, and you feel relaxed, and you can't ever imagine leaving...that you suddenly realise how important it is to cherish every moment of every situation. Whether it be in Japan, somewhere else, or back home, it's so easy to get comfortable, become complacent, and think that everything is forever, and permanent. But it's not. Everything is temporary, and life is so uncertain. I know that I need to try and make the most out of everything, and enjoy and appreciate anything I can. And then when it's time to change, or move on, or leave, I know that I have tried my best, given my all, had unique experiences, seen wonderful things, learnt loads, and (on the whole) had a great time. If life throws up an opportunity..small or big, far away, or near, for god sakes, run with it! That's advice that I will come back to and read when I'm back home, and nervous about what move next to make in life.