Japan Trip, Day 11
Starbucks – 25 jun 2008
After running around for two days, we decided to take it a little easier today. We headed out of the inn in a leisurely manner and walked over to yet another great Japanese breakfast place, Starbucks. After breakfast, we headed to Kyoto Station to see the tourist information office as well as the gisnt department store, JR Itsen.
JR Itsen – 25 jun 2008
In the store, we went to the toy section and wandered around for a long time looking at all the great toys. They had a nice Kumon section, with lots of educational toys that would be great for teaching Japanese to kids. I also loved the big Snoopy section that they have! I bought myself a phone charm and a water bottle.
Speaking of water bottles (I bought a metal one), many of the soda bottles that come out of the vending machines are not plastic, but are aluminum! I wonder why that is?
Ginkaju – 25 jun 2008
The English language bus map detailing all the stops (yes!) that we got when we bought our day pass says “Please do not copy or use.” Okey-dokey. Bus pass – use the machine to date stamp the first time — after that show to driver on flat rate buses. Some buses are flat rate and others aren’t. Out at the end of the line, we got off at Ginkaku-ji. Unfortunately the temple roof was being replaced (using bamboo nails!), so it wasn’t very pretty, though the grounds were very nice.
Imperial Palace – 25 jun 2008
Another bus took us to the Imperial Palace. The grounds were swarming with police — probably for the G8 stuff that’s going on. The girls spent some time on the playground, then we sat at a table and relaxed for a while. Yet another bus to us to Gion, an older section, with a nice creek and bridges and old buildings.
Kyoto tower – 25 jun 2008
Then we had it. I wasn’t feeling well — I think my Starbucks sandwich might have had fish in it. Chloe and I went to the room to watch Japanese after school tv. Rob and Camille wandered around the store and found some bread and cheese. At dusk, we walked two blocks to Kyoto Tower and rode the elevator to the top. What a view!
Back in the room, showers and bed.
Why is it that internet sites decide that because I connect from Japan, I must be able to read Japanese? For a few months after returning from France, MySpace gave me ads in French; how long will the Japanese ads last? And YouTube, even though I am logged in, insisted on using all Japanese for everything. Duh. I’m still me, even if I am connecting from abroad. After a bit, I figured out how to switch to English.
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GBK Gwyneth
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Is it that aluminum is easier to recycle than plastic? That is weird.
Sounds like a nice, more relaxing day. Haha, I always about live on bread and cheese in foreign countries when I need a break from adventurous/risky eating.
Allison – Cheese has been *very* hard to find here. The cheese Rob bought yesterday was a not-so-nice Kraft Camembert. Oh well. I wish the food was in English so I could tell “Aha, rice, tofu, egg, I can do that!”
Veggies are hard to come by too.
Looks like you guys are feeling better – well except for the fishy sandwich. And that is so interesting about your connection wanting to be in Japanese. I would have no clue as to how to tell it “English please!”