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Pre-Vacation

Friday, 9 September

I am taking a day off today. I have another vacation later this month so this is a short version. :-) My best friend got married last year and moved to Kyoto. Kyoto is the most popular tourist destination in Japan. It's very old and traditional and 2 hour bullet train ride from Tokyo. I've come here more than 20 times in my life but I can't get it enough! Kyoto is also known for the Kyoto Protocol that some countries didn't agree with. It's a very environmental concious city. This time, I decided not to go to a lot of touristy places. Since my friend can show me something very local, I want to experience something very close to what Kyoto people do and eat. :-)


Kyoto is very much different from Tokyo. The dialect, vegetables, foods, and culture. The most prominent thing is that they tend to be indirect when it comes to talking. I hear it's very conservative and hard to deal for outsiders.
Like when you are at a restaurant, you might want to ask the recipe or the details about the thing you are having and (I translate this directly) the waitress goes "You are studying well about foods" meaning "Don't talk about foods. shut the fudge up and eat".. Giving a platinum credit card is not appreciated and it's always nice to give them new bills at cashier. Stuff like that. I so don't get what they really mean behind what they say. But don't worry. They are very nice to visitors anyway unless we violate their boundries. I am very much enjoying this traditional city. :-) I will be here for the weekend. I really should create a photo gallery but am too lazy... In the mean time, enjoy the photos here! I am off to "real" sake drinking. :-) Happy weekend!

10:01 PM Neo-Japanese, Travel | Permalink | Comments (5) | (0)

Comments

I love your photos! Have fun!

Posted by: Larry at September 9, 2005 10:15 PM

I love Kyoto :-) such a pretty city.

Shisendo is my favorite temple!

Have a fun weekend!!!! *smooooooooooooches*

Posted by: enviroboi at September 9, 2005 10:18 PM

"Favorite Japanese Sweets Place, where the real geisha girls live"?

I just woke up about ten minutes ago, so my brain isn't completely clear right now, and when I read that, I suddenly got all scared and thought you had gone hetero for some reason. I thought, "Noooooo!!"

Stupid brain cobwebs. :-) Those pictures are FABULOUS, Shigeki. Enjoy your vacation!

Posted by: Logan at September 10, 2005 12:23 AM

It sounds like you're having a wonderful vacation! Kyoto looks beautiful. I'm trying to think of a corresponding situation to your interaction with the waitress, that might happen here in Canada... Being "indirect" is typical of Vancouver people...they always have the most pleasant smiles on their faces when you ask anything, even if it makes them angry. I've lived here so long that I don't notice it any more. It's very West Coast to pretend that everything is fine, and that there is no drama. From Vancouver to Seattle to Portland to LA to San Diego - it's all about trying to look relaxed and cool. I'm not very good at it myself, although I've done a lot of therapy to learn how to somewhat pretend. Have an excellent saki weekend!

Posted by: inter|textual at September 10, 2005 01:49 PM

Hi Larry,

Thanks for the comment. :-) Kyoto is such a beautiful place. If you take photos here, everything is almost beautiful. :-) You have a great weekend!

Hi EnviroBoi,

Yes, it is indeed pretty. I feel pretty as well. :-) I have no idea why but Shisendo seems to be very very popular for foreigners. The garden is indeed pretty though it's very new-born compared with other gardens. So I like something older and darker. :-) It doesn't apply to my boy's preference though. Have a great day!

HI Logan,

Hehehehe. If I turned straight, I'd killl myself or something. :-) I don't think I like to deal with Geisha girls at all. It's too pity that there aren't geisha boys (I am not talking about Japanese prostitutes here). They should have them. (T_T) Thanks for stopping by and you have a great day!

Hi Michael,

I think being indrect here in Kyoto is very much different from the west coast. They are very shy and they tend to hide their real expressions because express themselves seems to be pictured as rude or not classy. You see you have to be fabulous and the language you speak has to be fabulous. They are snobs, yes. But they know they are very sophisticated. There are so many unwritten rules here in Kyoto that you are supposed to follow. Once my friends explained them to me, I was glad I am Tokyoite. :-) You have a great weekend!

Posted by: Shigeki at September 11, 2005 12:29 AM

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