In between

Ok .. OK. I know its been awhile since my last update. Alot has happen in the last 2 weeks.

I offically finsihed my training a couple of weeks back but thats a boring story, so heres I created a Time Machine that will take you back to the not so distant past ... 2 weeks infact.

*click* Get ready cause here we go .....

It morning and I squint at the TV to screen. 19th March, Cloudy and overcast. A swirl of clouds appear behind me and I see myself and several readers step out of a lightning filled void and into my bedroom. Good. Now that my future self is here, I will be able to go back to bed and rest. No, if you go back to bed, you wont be able to have a fun day for me and the readers to watch. Damn, my logic is still impecable. Oh well.

The Juso Boys (a colective term for my 2 Canadian flatmates and a Canadian/US couple from training) all get dressed and ready for work. Todays destination: Kyoto - cultural capital of Japan. We head to Toji Temple, a short walk from Kyoto station where tradition temple markets have been held for serveral hundred years. Along its walkways and scattereed through its gardens are over 700 vendors displaying their wares on blue tarpolin, shakey tables or simplies piles of stuff.

Toji Temple Markets

Coins. Kimonos. Sword hilts. Black and white family photos. Wooden decorations carved into fish and local gods.

Toji Temple Markets

The lanes start out in a grid but soon spiral and dance around the grounds with twist and turns. Potted bonsais. Newly budding cherry blossoms.

Toji Temple Markets

The smell of coal grilled corn fills the air next to an old man selling war medals. Multi-colored stars sweets twinkle in the sun, next to boxes of old cassette tapes and LP records.

Toji Temple Markets

Children swarm around a low pool with Black Moors and Goldfish. The hold tiny plastic circles with thin paper streched between it, trying to scoop the fish into their metallic bowls. The longer the paper is submerged, the less strength it has, scoop too hard and it rips and tears. A scream of delight erupts as a 4 year old scored her 5 catch; a smaller boy sobs on the sideline holding a torn circle and an empty bowl.

We started out as 5 but as we wander, our numbers dwindle, slowly the crowds consume us one by one. After 4 hours, I am tired and through the magic of SMS and a little luck, we all manage to met back at the entrance.

Back to the train station and we head further into town - next stop, Shi-jo. As we emerge from the subway, I feel a sense of Deja-vu. The last time I was here was 2 years ago with my brother and his girlfriend. I smile as I walk past the restraunts we ate at and the store. OPA. Loft. The glorious 7 levels of entertainment and free drinks that is JJs. We wander through Teramachi, an uncover shopping arcade that streches as far as the eye can see. Past trendy jeans shops and vending machines, rock j-pop music blasting out, the occasional english word thrown in catches our eyes.

Past the shopping and through the suburbs we hit Kyoto Imperial Palace. The grounds and massive in size and structure. The grounded gravel rock pathways cruch with each step as we past freshly budding cherry blossoms.

Amongst the White Chrry Blossoms, Kyoto Imperial Palace

Juso Gang

I take most of my photos with my phone. I hope to upload them as I figure out how to install the drivers. For now, I enjoy the calm serenity, the follage seems to muffle the the traffic beyond.

Back into Kyoto and its fine dining at Shakeys Pizza. Oh yes, all you can eat Pasta, Curry, Potota and Pizza. The vegarians amounst us are happy as we from out of our tables and go back for the 4th plate. The food is cheap and the price is cheaper - \890.

Suddenly, a wormhole opens behind me. I turn to see the backside of my future self disappear in a puff of smoke. His internet time must be over.