Sianora Japan - I`ll Miss You

Forgotten Favourite from Kyoto: Sanjusangendo was absolutely mind-boggling....Sanjusan means 33 in Japanese, and that is how many alcoves there are between structural posts for the building. This building is home to 1001 statues of Kannon, the Goddess of Compassion. Try to imagine 1000 life-size forms of this goddess surrounding one very large central statue of the goddess....Many pieces of the puzzle came together here, as we learned about two gods that are often on either side of the entranceways to temples. They are the thunder and wind gods, and they are everywhere in Kyoto!

Sumiya Pleasure House: We found it, we found it! After much searching and a fleeting consoling thought of, `Well, I won`t be too disappointed if we can`t find it,` we thoroughly enjoyed exploring the main level of this sizable residence. Sadly, the second floor is only open at certain times of the day and we would miss our train back to Tokyo if we stayed for it.....The main floor was grand, with a large open kitchen (complete with under-floor rice storage, love it), beautiful screen paintings, woven wooden ceilings, and gardens nestled within....It was very easy to imagine the good times shared in this restaurant cum social hub in the 17th century. From the ink drawings, it looks like they thoroughly enjoyed life in any season (even having snowball fights in the winter). Many haiku poets, artists, and thinkers spent time here.....sounds like a splendid place for dreamers ;)

Ramen Heaven Part Deux: We found an entire floor at the Kyoto train station dedicated to none other than ramen.....There are 7 restaurants on the 10th floor (for anyone who is heading that way). We tried Sumire and it did not disappoint! Mmmgh! The miso based broth was mildly spicy with lots of different flavours, mixed in with moments of zing when you got a bit of freshly ground ginger. It was just what we needed before hopping on the shinkansen back to Tokyo.

Well, only a few more hours and then we`re heading to uncharted territories for me and Kerwood--something that elicits feelings of nervousness and excitement, and the nervousness is more of a curious butterfly-in-the-stomach sensation....Philippines here we come !! :)