Kyoto [Part 5]
We arrive at the Nijō Castle – one of the few castles built for living in and not strictly as a military stronghold. Built in the 1600s, this castle is a remnant of a time long gone. We were lucky – for $5, you can go in and actually walk around the castle and see it first hand.
Even though it was reaaaaallly sunny, it was still pretty cold. I kept wishing I brought a scarf along.
Jon thought the castle was one of the highlights of the weekend. Maybe when he comes home he’ll tell me why and I can relay that to you. He likes castles, you know? (He also seems very opposed to posting in the blog himself. Leave a comment, for chrissake lumpy-jon! Tell us about your castle-love!!)
All the japanese girls stand right next to the low-hanging blossom and flash a peace-sign. So you know. Peer pressure got to me.
Are you guys getting as sick of my winter-coat as I am? Sheesh. Let’s have some pictures where michelle’s NOT cloaked-in-darkness. Come on, spring. Do your job!
How many pictures of cherry blossoms do you need? Well that depends. I think if it were up to jon, every photo would be cherry blossoms – with a side of something else. He took a LOT of pictures of them. 
What would be more appropriate to follow a visit to castle with than a trip to a temple! This was the Golden Temple that I mentioned yesterday. Unlike the Silver Temple, i think you can figure out how it got its name.
Pretty, pretty.
Jon and I were noticing how all of our pictures-of-us look the same. We could have taken a picture of us in front of a white background and then just popped in pictures of places we went, and you probably wouldn’t know the difference. We’ll try harder next time. But for now….
Sometimes when I’m frustrated and can’t communicate, I slip into spanish. It’s weird. It’s not like I can actually speak spanish anymore, but I unconsciously pepper my phrases with the words, like they will help me speak to the japanese. “Porque no me entiendas?“, I say. “Why don’t you understand me!?” I’m sure when we get to puerto rico I’ll start mumbling in Japanese. I’m hopeless.
Next we walked over to the zen gardens. Buddhists Monks + Zen Gardens + Local-Specialty Restaurant = happy michelle. They had moss here. I love moss.
The zen garden were a bit disappointing. You’re supposed to be inspired to think deep thoughts while staring into the gardens. I must have become a very shallow person since I last checked in. “Nice rocks”, lumpy-jon said. At least I’m not alone in my lack of philosophic revelations.
Okay one more thing and then we’ll take a break for a bit. This next part was cool.
Attached to the complex, there was a restaurant. Buddhists are traditionally vegetarian. The Japanese eat a lot of 1-pot stews. So what would Japanese Buddhists eat, then? Say it with me. Tofu stew! (they call it shōjin-ryōri) It’s served with cabbage and a lot of condiments. Stop making a face at tofu. I can see you. It was good.
And we ate on the floor at little tables like this.
Many japanese meals end with Tsukemono, or the Japanese pickle. They pickle everything. Not dill-style like American pickles. Just… preserved by pickling. You know.
Okay. I have just a little bit more for you. See you in Part 6!
