Long (and good) Day or 2

On the 27th, I woke up early (with help from the semi) and went to the nearby Tenryuji temple with the Yamaoka parents to see the lotus flowers that are only in bloom during the early morning.

It was nice and the sky was pretty, but apparently we came too late in the day or season to get the full effect, i'm not sure which.

It was still nice though.

After that we chillaxed at home for a fairly long time, before going out to play some pool.


Then we split up and Raul and I hopped on a train to Osaka, where would join his circle for nomikai (drink meeting). On the way to the train station, I once again received powerful advice from an unlikely source.


Here's some people in his circle, or saakaru.
Shimu left, Uchi right.
Raul and his gf (kj?), Harunasan of Shizuoka.


and Z.O.M.G., none other than Captain Jack Sparrow!


His picture is bigger because he worked so hard to keep me from taking his picture. Something about his soul or something.


And then... it was kareoke time. kareoke was definitely fun, but popular Japanese songs generally have pretty boring tunes, and they are not improved by kareoke midi. I was surprised and impressed by the english song selection, though. It was far better, I thought, than the selections in Kearny Mesa. There were a lot of songs by Sonic Youth and Elliot Smithfor example. And while they would have been extremely boring for kareoke purposes, I was still surprised and glad to see them.
The Japanese apparently really like hearing native english speakers sing songs in english, even when the singer isn't particularly gifted. I think I was pretty good at the Smashing Pumpkins and RHCP songs, but not so good at the Pixies, Weezer, Shakira, or Beatles.
check out this awesome perspective make out.


I'll be sure to upload some awesome, kareoke videos later.

After a few hours, tired and no longer able to handle the tobacco hot box, I went outside and walked around, practiced some ukemi (ow my elbow), and took a bunch of pictures on my reflection on a round pole. It was fun?

Anyway, it was already almost 5am, so I decided to go back to Kyoto on the first train, to see one of my favorite temples, instead of staying at a friend's house.
Check out the brave women who puts metal things dangerously close to her eyes on the moving train.


I found the early morning to be very pretty.

It was also nice to be outside when while it was cool out. From about 7AM to 2AM its far too hot out.
The walk to Kyomizudera was very nice. I passed various temples and shrines along the way. Inside one temple was a chanting monk with a cool bell, I stood (respectfully) next to a couple old women and listened briefly. I took a short video that hopefully I will remember to upload later.
I also passed an extremely large cemetery.


Here are some of the pretty things that you see when you get closer to the temple. I am fortunate, I think, to have been able to see everything with so few people around. Usually the whole area is flooded with tourists.



I'm not really sure what these little guys are all about.





Kyomizudera itself was very tranquil and nice.

I mimicked some of the Japanese people, doing various things like praying/meditating, throwing coins into donation boxes, ringing bells, clapping, bowing, etc.


The water that runs through Kyomizu is thought to be some if not all of the following, i'm not really sure: Somehow Spiritual, extremely clean, lucky, delicious. I washed my hands, drank a cup, and filled a bottle (like this guy).



I have to go now.... i will finish this super long post later.