Day 05: Last Day at Kyoto - Osaka

My time in Japan is ephemeral, like that of the sakura flowers of spring. However, the race against the losing daylight was a tight one, we did managed to cover a great deal of grounds today, not enough to jellify my legs tho. After a short stop at the Takayama Morning Market, we were heading for a two hours’ drive back to Osaka.

Lunch was a spectacular Sumo-style steamboat and right outside the restaurant was this strategically placed, blood red maple tree (momiji). Anywho...the main characters of this episode are the famous Temple of the Golden Pavilion (Kinkakuji) and the Kiyomizu Temple, both are favorite sites for Japanese school students for field trips. And you can quickly see why...

There were flocks of them and instantly I was reminded of the episodes from K-on and Seitokai Yakuindomo. And that calls for an omiyage hunting and my last green tea ice cream. Dad silently stood by watching us girls drain his wallet, at bullet speed and calculated fashion.You have to squeeze in with these students as well.

Finale puts us at a streets that's packed with pop culture, takoyaki's, and bicycles! It's the Dotonburi Paradise Shopping Center, much akin to our Petaling Street except more happening with the youths. Dubbed the food theme park, you can walk till your legs kicks you hard for abusing it. And thus, we ended on a good note. It is a week lost in a mystical period at spiritual places. Overall, I came back happy with a broken camera, a bag of souvenir for friends and plenty of stories to share.

Washed up bedroom,
Vonnie S.

Day 04: Toyama - Shirakawa Village

You know you really have to applaud the Japanese and their government when you see children as young as kindergartners walk safely on their own to school. In Malaysia, that was probably the scene some good forty years back and it ain't baffling me at all why we can no longer emulate or maintain this culture. You're a smart one. Or you can just use Nayati's kidnapping case as an example and go "Ohhh..." You must be kidding me, no I'm not. The anxiety level of safety in our country is on the rise after that, especially when it happened at a very posh neighborhood like Mont Kiara. Don't just talk about today, let's go back when I was a a schoolgirl myself. Mom used to see my bag (and back) swallowed by the school gates before leaving. Talk about changing for the worse...

Hot, hot, hot. Sorry to disappoint you but I was talking about the sun ray beaming down on us as we strolled through the highlight of this tour--the Shirakawa Village. If there ever is a young 'hot' guy in this village, he has to be on vacation too from a faraway land. As far as I'm concerned, the men here are either fixing roofs or pruning trees. This UNESCO World Heritage site is my favorite village hands down because of the unique exterior of the houses and scenic landscape surrounding this place. While it may look a whole lot more magical in winter, dare I say I'd move in here if I can, the simplicity of life in the rural area can provide some hefty comfort. As per itinerary states, the houses bear a steep sixty degrees sloped thatched roof (in the form of hands held in prayer) to ease the removal of heavy snow. Now that's what I call smart 'architecturing'.

There're fishes in the longkang, a snowy mountain in the backdrop, and sakura trees providing shade; it is quite disappointing we weren't able to stay for the night. But, Ah Du is nice enough to let us spend two hours loitering about, exploring the souvenir shops and the local eateries. I was more interested in snooping about looking at bridges, stairs, dogs and sake (rice wine). Had a good ice cream and a soft adzuki pancake. It is by noon that the sun decided to shower its love and affection as the aunties in the group began to suffer from the heat and blamed it on Ah Du. Quote, he should have warned us about the temperature! For once, I pity our local guide. If only I teach him how to do the rain dance. Hm...nah, he'll survive.

Continuing with more camera friendly spots, we headed to Takayama Jinya. Another street so rich in history that my horse really needs to come find its master before she loses it. Meanwhile, a stroll around the merchants' houses revealed more alcoholic drinks, souvenir and food. Life is just too dang good when you're in Japan.

The red bridge nearby provides fantastic color contrast against the sakura flowers for photogs like my mom. When you throw in the water element, you know it's a WIN.

Ah, another off the checklist (flavors of ice cream I have to try before I die) when I stumbled on Ramune. The shopkeeper was nice enough to give me a discount, just cos I complimented on how tasty her beef manjuus were. ktsiong, if I ever caught you laughing at that statement, I swear...

Late update is late update.
Vonnie S.

Q: This is why she'll never know and I'll never tell.

O wow, One Piece gots its own theme park already?! That's simply...amazing! Ticket prices ain't too bad either, you're paying round RM260 for an adult ticket. If you wanna see a life sized Chopper, they have a picture of him on the website: http://www.huistenbosch.co.jp/onepiece/sunny.html They have a real Thousand Sunny for you to ride on too!

Books are the quietest and most constant of friends; they are the most accessible and wisest of counselors, and the most patient of teachers.  

~Charles W. Eliot

Bashful bounds,
Vonnie S.

Q: You know how friggin big eagles are right?

Bugger. A check was missing again, this time it occurred right after Miss Secretary exited the boss's office. And because of that, we all kena teng nicely from the boss, Mr. Apam Balik. He was smart enough to leave a blank check lying around on the table, and quick enough to shift the blame on his employees.

"Potential thieves." His accusation cuts deep but we weren't defeated, speculating that it was a simple blunder that can easily be fixed once we trace back the files exiting the office. What a discovery of mine to see the check poking out in between the pages of an Astro magazine (on the stack of things to be recycled). What a moment to see the embarrassed look on your boss's face--priceless.

Wedding invitation?
Vonnie S.

Q: Don't worry, watches have appreciating values.

The whole ordeal with the break-in has reached a near closure. Uncle Ken was at our home to discuss the policy of our insurance, making sure that we are clear on how to approach the quick-witted adjuster visiting tomorrow. Time can really sap the youth outta ya. Uncle Ken is a living proof of that statement. He was a picture of a ragged doll left to rot in the sun by his master. *pauses* What I really mean is that he's grown tan and thinner (hair-wise). Poor man.

"I'm old la, girl." It's not like I was ever saying otherwise pun, uncle. :)

Seems like there's gonna be an epic tug of war we anticipate with much eagerness, hoping to minimize our losses. But like those of us who has ever known personnels of an insurance company can say that no matter how neutral they claim to be, they are almost always working for the company's benefit. So, we are going to promise them a very difficult compliance, I'll personally see to that.

No-risk fee what,
Vonnie S.

E: Happy Wesak Day!

Twas full moon tonight with worshipers in throngs flocking temples to offer prayers in celebration of Wesak Day. Twas also, our first time joining in the crowd, purely coincidental because we were going up Jalan Gasing after dinner, bypassing the Thai Temple only to watch in amazement at the number of cars clogging the street. Curiosity got the better of us, we bought sets of single stalk flowers and joss sticks while lining up and squeezing through to offer them to the Gods.

I was frankly a lil sleepy and light headed for the ordeal, not to mention icky (sweat-covered); but was in the motion, following dad obediently through the process and praying in silence. Mom was surprisingly pious, grabbing a hold of oil candles and getting me to foot for it, which was okay considering I get to write the label sticker on the cup. Despite the pushovers, it was the ideal scene of Muhibah-ness among Malaysians. We have Malay Rela's guiding traffic, Chinese and Indians (even Thais) were found peacefully walking alongside monks. I couldn't have been more proud.

This Wesak Day was great, well-spent and above all, ooh fireworks!

Short attention span,
Vonnie S.

Q: I was dreading that...

Had a go at choosing two carps out of the swarming hundreds in this blue plastic tank. You must be pretty dang lucky to get chosen (I was talking to the two carps now swimming in my fish pond), that had a lot to do with your fate and my sense of taste. Shine, a golden yellow half-white fish, and Spot, a color splashed one, both circled corners to hide away from the bigger fishes we have. Spot and Shine are real fishes compared to them whales. Poor things, well at least they are showing some level of brotherhood, sticking together. I was practically laughing out loud, watching Spot tailing the very petite Shine around like a puppy with his owner. Even mom was worried for them; you’ve only got to see this to believe it. Gosh, who says fishes make boring pets?  

Intentional?
Vonnie S.