Here you have finally some updates: hiking trip to Mt. Takao and the K-1 tournament
Rest of the week will be so busy that you may have to wait updates until next week. Just be patient and you'll be rewarded with picture of a real GEISHA from Kioto. They are quite rare nowadays around here.
23.1.2007
Ok, some time passed before got these pics here. Life here starts to be a bit around here. I thought that updating once a week would be possible...apparently not. But I'll make it as my goal from now on. At least few words, every week.
And now to Nara. Friday evening couple of weeks ago I made my last exam of my home University in Finland (HUT). While we were drinking sake at the same evening to celebrate this, we go a great idea. Israel told me: "tell me scientist, why don't we go travelling? Only we and chinese are in the dormitory this weekend? I have a friend who lives in Nara". "Yalla, let's go", I replied. Next afternoon we were standing in the station waiting for our very first Shinkansen ride.
The Shinkansen...mean looking fastest train in Japan. Excited to feel how does it feel to go REALLY fast.
So far everything looks good...like a airplain cabin.
And who did we found from the train sitting the very next seats to ours... Jenni and her boyfriend from Finland. To make the world feel even smaller I have to tell you that we both are from the same hometown of 80 000 people. Both have been born in 1981 but never have we met before comming to Tokyo (hey, we have at least 5 different high schools in Kuopio:). We met already once before here in Tokyo (Independence Day party in Finnish embassy). What is the probability of us to meet in the country of 120 000 000 people...twice?! -Osaka girl, take care in cold and dark winter of our home country- ;P
2 h later (and disappointed to the Shinkansen's speed...only 240km/h...steady ride, nothing special) we were standing in Kioto and meeting Israeli's friend Nobu-san. He came all the way from Nara just to get us with a car. First stop to onsen...damn, I love those hot baths! Eating, and we head to Nobu's house. Some catching to do between Israel and Nobu, they haven't seen each other in last two years.
Our bed room in a house of 13 rooms. First time in Japan sleeping on tatami with Futon.
Garden in the middle of Nobu-san's house.
Corridor to the other rooms.
Sunday morning and time to do some sightseeing.
Entrance to Nobu-san's house.
Quiet neighbourhood of Nobu-san's.
Snow! Unbeliavable, I got to see (and feel) it. Felt cold.
One of the holy deers of Nara.
Big Buddha, biggest bronze statue on whole Earth sitting in the biggest wooden building on the third rock from the Sun.
Luckilly I was only playing to feed them...
...she had something to give.
Guy from the temple area.
Time to check our luck for the next year. Israel: super-lucky, Samuli: semi-lucky. Next time have to use 5 yen coin instead of 1 yen in the temple when wishing good luck...
Temple area.
Japanese limousine.
Biggest bath place I've seen so far. Like a small town center. They had everything in there you could possibly need for relaxating. And you are not in a hurry there. Middle of the bath session just wear your bathrobe and enter one of the many bars and restaurants. No time limit. Open 24 hours. No money needed while inside, everything paid with a magnetic bracelet key. Like a casino, they want you to stay in and spent as much as possible.
Put your bracelet in and feed the amount of money shown on the screen.
Next morning we headed to Kyoto but that's a story of next posting.
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