Day 3 in Kyoto

Day 3 started out in a relaxed way. Didn't have to be anywhere until about 10 AM. Lisa, her roommate Audrey and I went to the Toji flea market that is held once a month (see photo above of the entrance). It is held on the grounds of the Toji Temple. It was great. It was a major pushing and shoving match just to get down the aisles most times but what a wonderful people watching place.


They had everything from fresh flowers and plants (alot of which were familiar to me), clothing, fabric, tools, weapons, antiques and a lot of food. Some of the food was recognizable and some was not. During the course of our time there, we ate a yummy pastry that had chocolate pudding in the middle and for lunch we had a steamed potato and an omelet like thing with lots of cabbage and egg and bacon topped with a sauce like BBQ sauce.


We were definitely enjoying the bright sunny day while sitting on the dead grass by a stagnate pool eating our lunch. We stayed at the flea market for about 3 hours. i was in search of silk scarves that were cheap and lisa was looking for a short kimono.

I have really been blessed by the wonderful weather during my visit. After all, this is probably the worst month to visit and so far only a little bit chilly at times but beautiful sunshine and no rain. I have to comment today on two interesting Japan observations. We have ridden on several trains by now - both local and rapid trains. On every given train, i would say 50-60% of the people sitting on the trains are sleeping, some so soundly they are snoring. These people look so overworked that they are just desperate to catch a few winks. The other observation has to do with the women's feet and the footwear they have chosen. Mind you, over the last two days, we have walked more than i have walked since going to Australia in 2005. Needless to say, my knees are definitely "nagging" me. The younger women here have on these pointy toe high heel shoes/boots and are racing through the train stations, climbing the steps at the temples, etc. It makes my feet hurt to just see them and some of them are so pidgeon toed you wonder how they take steps without falling over their feet. Enough about that.

After leaving the Toji flea market we took the train to Uji which is a little town north of Kyoto just a short train ride. It is on a beautiful river and has lots of cute shops down narrow streets.


We strolled through the streets and lisa and i dropped into a tea house and had green tea. Hers was rather earthy - don't think she particularly liked it but mine was more sweetened so was very good. It smelled like marijuana in the tea house which must have to do with the way they process the tea leaves into dried powder.


But the main draw for Uji is the temple there - Byodoin - and the museum built adjacent to it. See above for a picture of the temple. It was very big and very old and the grounds around this area were very nice.


The museum was very modern and contained alot of artiifacts that came out of the temple as they restored it and the artifacts. Another World Heritage Site. I'm sure there must be many in Kyoto because of all the temples left standing here because it was not bombed during World War II. A very enjoyable day.



Here is a wisteria arbor at the temple that must be gorgeous when it is in full bloom. all of these temples we have visited have lots of cherry blossom trees planted; however they don't bloom until April so i missed that beautiful site.

Another photo of Lisa and I having our tea.

More to follow tomorrow.