December 25th
This morning we left in two groups because we weren’t totally on the same page, and Zev and Mae had their appointment at 9:30. Aubrey and I bought Zev and Mae a photoshoot dressed up in Kimonos. I wanted to be there early in case they needed more time to get Mae’s hair done. Unfortunately, with a comedy of errors, we were 20 minutes late instead of 20 minutes early. First, we didn’t get on the right train at the right time, then we went past our stop because we were chatting. When we tried to go back, we got on the wrong train and had to take a third train. Never in all of the times in Japan, have I messed up a train journey like this. The Jet Lag has short-circuited my brain, I think. It all worked out ok in the end. We were a bit late, but we still had time for them to get ready before their photo shoot.
I think they looked pretty great. We are looking forward to seeing the photographer’s photos when they are ready, Here a couple of sneak previews:
After the photoshoot we toured the Kiyomizudera temple grounds. Wikipedia says: “The temple was established in 778, during the late Nara period, by Enchin Shonin, who was a priest from Nara (the capital of Japan from 710 to 784). He is said to have received a vision telling him to leave Nara in the South. He moved North and discovered water flowing part way up a mountain. He decided to construct the temple next to this Otowa spring. Many of the temple’s present buildings were constructed in 1633 on the orders of the shogun Tokugawa Iemitsu.[4] There is not a single nail used in the entire structure. It takes its name from the waterfall within the complex, which runs off the nearby hills. Kiyomizu means “pure water”.”
After the temple complex, Zev and Mae returned the kimonos. Their feet were killing from all the walking in their Japanese thong sandals and split socks. We all accompanied them, and the staff at the store were amazed by our big family, and let them all choose a cute little keychain as a gift to remember their experience in Kyoto. We headed for a Japanese curry lunch at a nice, non touristy restaurant. Food was decent and it gave all us all a chance to get off our feet. We have been walking SO much since we have been here.
I will continue the rest of the day in a part II as I can barely keep my eyes open…
Oyasuminasai