Kyoto is a beautiful city, where the air is crisp, mountains are seen in the distance, water flows through the city, and 1,200 years of history is well preserved. Kyoto, for me, was especially magical because I was traveling with a sweet and excited teenage daughter. Japan was Jane's requested destination for this school holiday, and I am so glad she suggested it.
We walked everywhere we could, read maps and learned how to ride city buses, trains and subways (although none of it was in English). When it rained, we ducked into a museum or temple. When food looked interesting or beautiful, we ate it. When we found a local shrine flea market, we lingered. When we were lost, we asked for, and received, directions (although very little English was spoken). And when we found Cherry Blossom ice cream, we savored it (even before lunch).
Kyoto was the imperial capital of Japan for over a thousand years. The city reigned as the cultural and artistic center of the nation from 794 to 1868, and remains today as the country's cultural heart. There are more than 1,600 Buddhist temples, 270 Shinto shrines and 17 UNESCO World Heritage sites. Fortunately, Kyoto has been preserved thanks to lack of major earth quakes and a decision by the US during WWII not to bomb the city.
Surely we visited the major sites and landmarks, but were most impressed with the gardens, architecture, food and people. All truly beautiful and unique. We took a day trip to Nara, a city even older than Kyoto. Here the cherry blossoms were exploding. We spent one night in the historical section of Gion, wandering the cobblestone streets shopping and looking for geiko (the local term for geisha). For me, this was the highlight of this trip. We stayed at the Tamahan, a traditional ryokan, or Japanese-style inn. We relaxed in a traditional cedar tub and slept in a yukata (cotton robe) on the tatami-matted floors. Dinner was 10 course kaiseki cuisine, and served in our room on a low wooden table.
I am grateful to have visited this ancient, yet modern metropolis. I am most grateful to have traveled with my daughter, Jane.
With Love~
Lauren
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3 comments:
Thank you, Lauren, for adding your commentary. Your pictures where wonderful, but your words were very descriptive and especially meaningful for me. I can see how much you enjoyed that special time with Jane. Daughters are delightful (most of the time)!
Love,
Mom
Nice job Lauren... I see that you finally bit the bullet and sat down to write it!! Sounds like an awesome trip from what I hear!!
Love,
Gretchen
What a lovely experience for you and Jane to share! Many people have "warned" me about the terrible teenage years with girls but thankfully I am so enjoying mine with Elizabeth. We're lucky to have these wonderful girls! Love you! Jane
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