Kyoto etc.

A quick post today, I only have an hour as other people are waiting to use this station.

Today, and the last 3 days I have been in Kyoto which is one of the most metropolitan cities that I have visited in Japan. There are many tourists here. Not only white people from all over the world, there are many people here from Isreal and Germany, but also many Chinese, Korean, Tiawanese, and other Japanese who are here for a visit.

Yesterday I met up with 3 really nice women in Kyoto on the bus. We went shopping, eatting and having an all around good time. But they all had to leave before 11 PM. Damn that last train!

Thom, Ishi (ee-shee), Shizu (Sheet-zoo), Kahzuha (Kah-zoo-ha) 9-3-2006

My philosophy on travel:

Traveling is about solving everyday problems every day. Each new culture has it's own way of doing everyday things. From how do you hand over change? In Australia you put the money on the counter but in Japan you put the money on a change plate, and in America you put it in their hand directly. How do you say hello, thank you, excuse me, beer, and how do you order when the menu is in a different language? How do you greet people? Do you bow? Shake hands? Wai, with your hands held in prayer fashion up to your nose as they do in Thailand? This is travel. Learning that the culture you live in is not the only culture in the world and getting completely overwhelmed by a new language and lifestyle but still making your way to around while making new friends.

People all over the world want the same things; A warm dry place to sleep. A safe environment. Peace with their neighbors and the world. Food enough to eat. Friends to share their life with. A good drunk every now and then... maybe that last one is mine, but every place I've been to on this trip likes beer.

This guy will write your name in Kanji in an artistic style and then look into your eyes to then write something about you. It was worth 1000 yen.