Kyoto Chaos: Lost in Translation (and Matcha)
ok, so, kyoto. just…kyoto. i landed late, and honestly, my brain was still buffering. the numbers that flashed on the screen - 1680017 and 1608954565 - felt like some kind of cosmic error code for my entire trip. seriously.
temp: 26.62, feels_like: 26.62. the humidity was a whole mood. like, clinging to you. it's…thick here. i just checked and it's…warm and damp, hope you like that kind of thing.
my little Airbnb is tucked away in a maze of narrow streets. the neighbors are…quiet. like, unnervingly so. i heard someone practicing the koto - it sounded like a gentle rain falling on a temple roof. if you get bored, Nara is just a short train ride away. i'm still trying to figure out the subway. (
*First Impressions:
*Pocket Wifi is a MUST: Seriously. Don’t even think about navigating without it.
*Learn a few basic phrases: 'arigato' goes a long way.
*Get a Suica card:* Makes getting around so much easier.
I spent the first day wandering, getting delightfully lost. the Fushimi Inari Shrine was absolutely breathtaking-thousands of vermillion torii gates snaking up the mountain. completely worth the climb, even if my legs are screaming now. i’m pretty sure someone told me that if you visit at dawn, you’ll see the fox spirits - but i didn't want to wake up at 4 am...
food…oh, the food. i’ve been on a matcha kick. seriously, i think i’ve consumed my weight in matcha-flavored everything. and the ramen? don’t even get me started. i went to a tiny little place down a side street - Yelp says it’s the best ramen in Kyoto, and someone warned me that the chef is a bit of a perfectionist (apparently, you can get a stern look if you slurp too loudly).
I heard that the best way to experience Kyoto is to just wander without a plan. Don't try to see everything - just let the city guide you.
Someone told me to try the pickled vegetables. Apparently, they’re a Kyoto staple, but they can be…an acquired taste. Just a heads-up.
Today i’m planning on checking out the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove. supposedly it’s super crowded, but i’m hoping to catch it before the tour buses roll in. i’m also contemplating a visit to a traditional tea ceremony - maybe i’ll find one on TripAdvisor. this city is just overflowing with history and…well, people. it’s a beautiful, chaotic mess.
Anyway, gotta go. got a feeling i’m about to get delightfully lost again. and hopefully not get yelled at for slurping my ramen too loudly. this trip is already proving to be…interesting.
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