The restaurant we had lunch at today was called Hale, and was located in the Nishiki Market. It took us awhile to get there, because I think it was everyone's first time there. We had to ask two people for directions, because we missed it several times. Only the door of the restaurant faced the street; except for a tiny little sign, there was nothing to suggest that behind the door was a small little restaurant that specialized in organically produced food. We had the 湯葉あんかけ丼. Photography was banned in the shop, so I dont really know how to explain what it was, but if you've had any kind of どんぶりもの, then you basically have an idea of what I had. It was a set, so it came with 漬物 and tea. I must admit, when I was told where we were going, I was a bit afraid, because (as stupid as this sounds), the healthier the food, the less I enjoy it. But I'm happy to report that I was very, very wrong. The don was very good, and I recommend it to anyone who comes to Kyoto and/or can find the shop.
After a bit of walking and some riding, we got to the museum where the performance was. I had a bit of deja vu when it started. Why did if feel like I had seen it before if I had never been to this museum? After thinking about it, I realised I had seen it, through the wonderful invention we know as Youtube!
That isnt exactly what we saw, but it was at the same place, and I'm fairly certain they did both of these songs. If you ever go to Kyoto, one thing you can count on either seeing or being told to see are the maiko and geiko. On the off chance you dont know anything about them, you can check out this website, which I think is pretty legit. I would go into detail here, but I think it lies outside of the scope of my blog. Since I've been to Kyoto before, I know enough about the maiko to be disinclined to go to everything they appear at, but they are undeniably beautiful and skilled. You dont get to see this kind of dance performed in person very often, so was happy I got to see it, and I enjoyed it very much. They are so graceful! I cant imagine how hard they practice to get that way. After each dance, the announcer woman would ask the maiko a question. I did enjoy this part, because it was really questions about their lifestyle. One was, "Do you put on your own makeup, or does someone do it for you?" The maiko responded that it takes her from half to a full hour to put it on, but she does it herself. Of course, her kimono is put on by a professional dresser
It was at this point that I bade farewell to my friend and her friends. You see, the way her program runs, she's on an American educational calendar. Which means that she has class tomorrow. I decided to head back to the main shopping area at Shijo and Teramachi and do some shopping. The first thing I wanted to do was head back to the Nishiki Market, because I wanted to buy some omiyage for the rents and some friends in Hiroshima. I figure that since I dont know exactly what they want, food would be a good idea. And Nishiki Market is the place for food, though unfortunately the greater part of the food there either needs to be eaten right away or refrigerated. I saw some dried ホタテ, which I knew the rents and my aunty would enjoy, but I didnt get to the store in time. Unfortunately, it was closed, which means I'll need to pay another visit to the market. I did find some small candy type things that I got for my friends in Hiroshima, as well as some 金平糖 for my oldest nephew.
Now that I had some of my omiyage stuff done, I decided to shop for myself. The first store I headed to was Chicago, which my friend recommended to me. They're a second hand shop, and while the first floor has the usual western style clothes, its second floor is devoted to 和服. I headed to the second floor, and indeed, there were several racks full of kimono. As is usual, more than three quarters of the shop is woman's wear, but I eventually made it to the mens section. The yukata section wasnt a bit small, but the kimono section was much larger. I know that men's kimono are duller than women's kimono, but I was a bit taken aback here. There were just two sections: the dark blue section and the brown section. And within each section were either dark blue kimono or brown kimono. While I didnt want the colorful floral prints or dazzling designs of a woman's kimono, I was hoping for something more...interesting. Unfortunately, I already have a dark blue kimono thanks to my sempai, so I didn't really feel I should buy another one. I wanted to buy a haori, but I decided against it because I didnt know when I would wear one. But this was not a bust! I looked over at the obi section, and found a beautiful obi that I decided to buy. The field is a royal blue type, and the design of hammers (good luck, if I'm not mistaken) is worked in gold and silver thread. It's also in really good condition, which made its price of 2000￥ quite a bargain. Part of me wants to buy a kimono from that store just so I can dress up and look amazing, but since I already have what they are selling, it might be cheaper and more sensible to just have my kimono sent her from Hawaii. I dont know, I'm still on the fence.
The other thing that I'm really happy to have bought is a pair of earrings! It was way expensive for two tiny pieces of metal, and they're not the most AMAZING earrings you ever did see, but considering I cant wear most of the earrings I see, I was okay with paying twenty dollars for it. When I entered the shop, I was a bit worried, because I dont know how to say in Japanese, "Excuse me, do you have any earrings that arent made with nickel, because I have an allergic reaction to that, and I dont want my ears to fall off, please and thank you". But somehow, 店長さん figured out what I wanted and said that the earrings I was looking at were made of stainless steel and okay for allergic people (Fun fact: He's allergic too!). They're two black stars, and I really like them. They're simple, and yet they're kinda eye catching. While paying for them, I struck up a conversation with 店長さん, where he complemented me on my Japanese (「僕より上手いっすね」と言ったけど、嘘じゃよね) and was amused that Hiroshima University is in the middle of nowhwere. I want to wear them right now! But I want to clean them first, as well as my ears. I dont have any alcohol with me, but I'm debating whether or not I can get by with just the body wash in the hotel bathroom. I'm pretty excited to finally have some new earrings!
After eating dinner at Moss Burger, I decided to head back to my hotel. My feet were aching, my wallet dangerously empty, and it was getting late (I dont know why, but everything closes so early here! In 西条, most businesses begin to shut down at ten, not a quarter to eight!). However, I couldnt find the subway station that I needed! I walked up and down 四条通り, and a few other streets too, but I simply could not find it. I finally decided to enter the train station, which I knew at some point intersected with the subway station. After walking for about ten minutes down possibly the entire length of the station, I finally made it to the ticket machines for 四条駅. It was at this point that I had an unfortunate encounter with an old person. This tiny little old Japanese lady came up to me and asked me which train she should take. However, there were a few problems: 1. She was speaking Japanese, which (contrary to popular belief) I dont fully understand; 2. I'm like 98% sure she was speaking some form of 関西弁, which I also dont understand; 3. She was an old Japanese lady, and if you've ever met an old Japanese person, you know they dont enunciate well; and 4. I'm not from Kyoto, so I dont know any other line besides the 烏丸線 which links Kyoto station with Shijo. I felt so bad for not being able to help her! If you know me, you KNOW that old people are my weakness. I will do almost whatever they ask me to do, and if I cant, I feel really bad later. I had to tell her that because I was from Hiroshima (white lie, but it's kinda true), I didnt know the subway system well enough. The last I saw of her, she was talking to another guy, and I really hope he knew where she was going. 神様、あのおばあちゃんは安全に行き先へ行って連れましたか。 >____< After making it to Kyoto Station, I had no other mishaps getting back to my hotel.
Today was another good day in Kyoto. I made a few new friends, saw some beautiful dancing, and got in some serious shopping. I am pooped! Tomorrow is Monday, and my friend has school, so I wont be seeing her. I'll be more on my own, which could be a good thing (マイペースでオッケー), or a bad thing (HUGE CHANCE OF GETTING LOST). After a short skype session with the rents, I'm heading to 東寺 for their flea market. After that, I'm thinking of paying a short visit to the two 本願寺 headquarters. I may add more trips in, depending on what I get done, and how much time/money I have. But for today, I think it's time I showered and went to bed.
No comments:
Post a Comment