Gion District - Photo of the Week

This week's photo comes from the Gion District of Kyoto, Japan.

I never had the desire to visit Japan.  It was never one of those countries on my list, or radar for that matter, that I needed to see.  While living in Korea, I wanted to take a trip during Chuesok - Korean Thanksgiving - as I had heard that Korea basically shuts down for Chuesok...I didn't want to spend the long weekend cooped up in my apartment, so I started researching countries to visit.  The Philippines were my top choice, with Singapore coming in second due to receiving an invite to stay with a friend from my university days in England.  However, both of those options proved to be far too expensive for my budget, therefore due in part to proximity, price, The Karate Kid Part II, and the video to The Killers Read My Mind, I decided to visit Kyoto, Japan.  (Yes, the Karate Kid absolutely influenced my decision to visit a country...I loved that movie as a kid, and still watch it faithfully when it's on TV).

Japan blew my mind.  I fell completely in love with Kyoto.  What a fantastic little city!  My friend and I spent one day exploring Kyoto on rented bicycles.  The Gion District came heavily recommended as an area of Kyoto that everyone must see.  It's a long, quiet street full of tea shops and restaurants that Geisha frequent at night.  Unfortunately, we didn't happen upon any Geisha, but at the end of the the Gion District stands a beautiful traditional temple that we explored.

Throughout the temples that we visited, I kept seeing these large stone basins filled with water, with bamboo fountains...they peaked my curiosity, wondering what they were for.  While my friend and I took a seat to rest our feet, a group of school kids unknowingly demonstrated to me what those water-filled stone basins were for.  They stood giggling while they poured the water over their hands with bamboo cups, cooling off from the heat of the autumn afternoon.  As they approached my friend and I, they asked us if we would be willing to answer some questions for them as part of a school project.  Both being teachers, my friend and I happily talked with them for a few minutes and took pictures with them.  They continued on their school trip as I reflected on how being an English teacher in Asia has changed me and given me a much higher appreciation for life and this beautiful world in which we are all fortunate enough to live in.

Gion school girls

There was so much more to Japan than I thought...beautiful architecture, delicious food, and kind locals.  I spent four days in Kyoto and Osaka and decided that short visit wasn't nearly enough time to truly discover Japan.  I could easily spend a year there, adventuring and eating real ramen noodles.  There are so many places in this world I need to explore, but Japan is definitely high on the list to rediscover!

Happy Trails!

Why did I want to visit Japan because of The Killers?  Because this video is awesome..c'mon, Japanese Elvis and the gorgeous Brandon Flowers dressing in traditional kimono? Yes, please!