Japan Entry whatevernumberimonrightnow

Greetings from Kyoto!

I skyped for a good amount of time with my family this morning (though it was 5 pm yesterday for them) and we caught up on how we were doing on both ends and I got to see Scooter the doggy too, but I think his tiny dog brain couldn't understand Skype. Silly animals.

Hopped on the train after much trouble. The Osaka (and Kyoto as well) trains have just about the worst directions/information I've ever seen. I had to ask 3 people, who gave me 3 different answers, before just picking a direction and getting it right. The train ride to Kyoto from Osaka is relatively short, and very pretty. The train is smooth, the riders quiet, and the country green and lush with small residential areas peppered here and there. It's something out of a movie like this movie called 700 Days of Battle.

Once I reached Kyoto, I hopped off the train and looked around for signs/information on the subway stop/train stop where my hostel would be. Too bad there weren't any. I again guessed and, making a wrong turn, found my way after about 30-45 minutes of walking with my heavy suitcase. Thanks, guys.

Dropping my luggage off, I couldn't check in legit until 3 pm (like everywhere, I guess) so I just started walking again looking for a place to have lunch. Having virtually no luck with that, I settled on a convenience lunch that turned out to be pretty damn good. From there I just walked the streets looking at shops, and happened upon an arcade. Of course I had to go in, and found an 11k BP Sagat player on the machine. We played, and I went 2-1 using Fuerte, and took him 2-0 with my Ken before he gave up. He was decent, but nowhere near as good as some of the other people I've played while here. Still, it was good to have the practice since there's a tournament I'm going to on the 28th.

After the arcade, I kept walking around and noticed a bunch of posters for an Olmec exhibit at the Kyoto Museum, so I hopped on a train and made the walk. For $13, the exhibit was a little bit small, but it included the main exhibit as well (although I had little interest in it) so... I'd say it was... half worth it. At least I got out of the heat and did something touristy. I promised myself I'd do more touring tomorrow just so I could say I've been to the places I'm sure I'll be asked about.

After that, I checked out a soccer shop (considering buying a jersey, but it's a bit pricey of course) and then checked into the hostel. I'm in an 8 bedroom dorm this time, and had a chat with an italian bloke about the bed situation. I settled down to peep the computer, checked the FB, and went back out again to check out Gion the Geisha district. It's a tourist place, of course, and it felt like I'd seen more foreigners than Japanese there. But I did spot a Geisha nearly immediately. It's certainly interesting, in any case, one side feels old and traditional, many buildings housing outrageously expensive traditional Japanese restaurants with plenty of people in traditional dress coming out of them, while the other side was mostly bars and 'clubs' that seem more like strip joints or 'conversation dates' where sex isn't included but clearly implied (as someone on the street called to me). They're separated by the main drag with its many gift stores and small shopping buildings. There's a temple at one end, or maybe it's a park, illuminated with lights so it looks like some sort of amusement, but I opted to eat instead of check it out.

The best place to eat I've found so far are at either Japanese chain restaurants or the Ramen places where you use a machine to order food. These locations are both tasty and not priced outrageously, so you really can't beat it. Then again, you could always get a juicebox and a pastry from the convenience store for around $2 if you wanna be extra cheap.

Finishing up Gion, I went to the arcade again to play this Japanese game called Border Break, and had lots of fun doing that. Returning back to the hostel past swarms of young people sporting all sorts of different looks, street performers, and I'm guessing some hookers, and it's nearing time for bed. A massive group of people staying at the hostel just left to go drink, I believe, but I think they know each other. The people in my dorm so far as I can tell are: A Thai young guy, 2 young Italians, a Eastern European couple who would only glance oddly at me, and someone above me who I've never seen.

GT

(pictures coming when I get somewhere else.