Kyoto's a Blur: Noodles, Rain, and Seriously Weird Neighbors
okay, so i’m pretty sure i’m running on caffeine and the faint hope of a decent night’s sleep. landed in kyoto yesterday, and honestly? it’s… a lot. like, a beautiful, overwhelming, slightly unsettling lot. the air smells like damp moss and something vaguely sweet, maybe roasted chestnuts. i just checked and it's...there right now, hope you like that kind of thing. the pressure’s at 1028, which is… intense. feels like a permanent hug.
my phone’s battery is already at 17%, which is a personal record. i’m blaming the wifi. it’s aggressively slow. i need to find a place with actual signal, pronto. i’m trying to capture the light, you know? the way it hits the *red torii gates at fushimi inari - it’s insane. i’m attempting to document it all, but my camera’s acting up. it keeps focusing on pigeons. seriously, the pigeons are winning.
found a tiny ramen shop near my guesthouse - it’s called ‘hana’ and the guy behind the counter just stares at you. it’s unnerving, but the ramen was chef’s kiss. someone told me that the owner, mr. tanaka, used to be a sumo wrestler. i don’t know if that’s true, but it adds to the mystique. i’m thinking of hitting up Kyoto Ramen Yelp later. gotta find a place with a good vibe.
my neighbors are… interesting. there’s this family who apparently communicate solely through interpretive dance. i saw them arguing in the hallway this morning, and it involved a lot of flailing and dramatic pointing. and then there’s the guy who collects ceramic frogs. ceramic frogs. he has like, a hundred of them. stacked on shelves, lining the windowsills, just… frogs. if you get bored, Kyoto Forums are just a short drive away.
spent the afternoon wandering through the bamboo forest in arashiyama. it’s ridiculously popular, obviously, but it’s still breathtaking. the light filtering through the stalks is magical. i managed to snag a few decent shots, but my memory card is already full. i’m seriously considering investing in an external drive. i heard that Arashiyama Bamboo Grove TripAdvisor is a must-see, even if it’s packed.
gear list (because i’m a professional, obviously):
camera (currently malfunctioning)
extra batteries (running low)
notebook (mostly filled with doodles)
instant noodles (essential)
a healthy dose of anxiety
seriously, the humidity is 76%. it’s clinging to everything. i’m sweating just thinking about it. i need a cold drink. and maybe a nap. i’m thinking of checking out local sake breweries tonight.
okay, last thing. i overheard a group of tourists arguing about whether or not to wear socks. apparently, it’s a serious debate. someone told me that the locals find it incredibly rude. i’m not sure i buy that, but it’s entertaining. i’m just going to embrace the chaos. and the ramen. and the ceramic frogs.
“Don’t wear socks! It’s… disrespectful. Like, really disrespectful.” - A very opinionated German tourist.
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