Do you know what day it is today? [No
Smoking Day] is the answer. As I donft smoke, I really donft
know how hard it is to quit smokingc One of my friends smokes
3 packs of cigarette a day, and he says he will never stop
smoking. But, hold oncHow much does he spend for cigarettes a
day? 3 packs a day = 900yencso he spends 328,500yen.
Wowcthatfs a lot of money, right? I donft say you should quit
smoking, but how about trying to cut down for your health?
(Risa)
May 29th
It is already the end of May. How fast it
is! Time goes so fast. Have you been having fun this year so
far? Have you accomplished something? What are you going to do
the rest of 2007? It is time to think about those things and
imagine full of happiness and fun for the rest of your
2007.@Have a wonderful life! (Tomoe)
May 28th
How was your weekend? Friends and I went to
dinner on Saturday night. We were heading to a café/restaurant
[Café Independent] on Sanjo Street, but it was already
reserved by a big group – actually itfs one of my favourite
cafes in Kyoto. And then, we moved to an Italian restaurant
[Slow]cbut there were only a couple of seats at the counter
left, so we gave up because we were a group of 4 people. HmmcI
remembered I went to a BBQ restaurant [Kamerin] in the back
street near Shijo Karasuma a few years agocso we headed to the
place. We finally found a table for us there. We ordered some
seafood and veggies – healthy huh? – and grilled them over
charcoal. Although we were covered with smoke, we enjoyed the
dinner. Actually it was a birthday dinner for my good friend,
Ayano. Happy birthday again & Sorry for the delay! P.S. I
took the photo below...but it's too small...they are
scallops...(Risa)
May 25th
I went to TOKYO by SHINKANSEN yesterday. I
was wondering how many people can have a seat each car? And I
have figured it out just now it says each car can has 100
seats and NOZOMI (type of shinkansen) has 16 cars so that the
total comes 1600 seats!? Wow! It is bigger than an air plane!!
Also Shinkansen departs frequently specifically, more than
subway in Kyoto. What a system! Well I hope JR develop 100%
eco SHINKANSEN. By the way TOKYO has a special atmosphere
donft you think? It inspired me somehow. (Tomoe)
May 24th
Itfs hot in Kyoto todayc According to the
weather forecast, the temperature will go up to 30 degrees. I
like summer much better than winter, but I wonder if we have
extremely hot summer this year againc (Risa)
May 22nd
I forgot to talk about Aoi Festival which
took place a week ago. Amidst the fresh greenery, the parade
route was filled with 32000 people at noon, according to Kyoto
Prefectural Police figures, who were fascinated with the
reproduction of an elegant Heian Period procession. It set out
from the Kenrei-mon Gate of the Kyoto Imperial Palace at
10:30am. The 700-metre long parade was made up of 511
participants, as well as 40 horses and oxen. As the members of
the main procession, with its core of imperial retainers and
elegant ladiesf procession advanced, they waved Futaba Aoi or
hollyhock leaves, the symbol of the festival. The wooden
wheels of ox carts trimmed with wisteria flowers, squeaked as
they proceeded along. The procession reached Shimogamo Shrine
by midday. A service was held there, after which they set out
for Mamigamo Shrine. The Aoi Festival is an occasion where the
emperorfs servants and messengers worship at Shimogamo and
Kamigamo Shrines by the Emperorfs order. In early times, the
festival was known as Kamo-matsuri ot the Kamo Festival, but
its name was changed in the Edo period. If youfre interested
in the festival, please come and see next year! (Risa)
May 21st
Howfs your weekend? I really enjoyed it. I
went to KYOTO walking tour with my friend. We started it from
sanjo and walked along KAMO river and headed for DEMACHI
YANAGI then we had a glass of wine. Then turn to east for
GINKAKUJI temple, and we walked philosopherfs path to NANZENJI
temple. And then to HEIAN JINGU. After all we ended up at
Sanjo again. We had so much fun! (Tomoe)
May 17th
Do you remember I made a promise to post a
photo of Starbucks noryoyuka (patio over water)? Yes, it is
ages agoc I finally took the photo – actually Tomo didc When
we went to the Starbucks the other day, we got a brochure from
one of the staff. It says 6 rules for using the Kamogawa
noryoyuka.
1, Please limit use to one hour when others
are waiting 2, Please do not reserve space on the floor 3, No
smoking allowed or any other use of fire 4, No pets allowed 5,
No studying allowed!!! 6, Please do not let your children out
of your sight.
Theyfre very easy rules, right? I think
it would be a completely new coffee experience that combines
the rich culture of coffee with the tradition of Kyoto. Itfs
open from 11:30-22:00(May&Septemer) and
16:00-22:00(June-August). (Risa)
May 16th
Rainy season will start soon. It annoys me.
Hokkaido is an only place where does not have a rainy season.
I used to live there for 6 years and I am used to a dry
climate but nowcI like an rainbow though.(Tomo)
May 15th
A friend and I went to a cosy café by the
Kamogawa after we had lunch on Sunday. We luckily grabbed our
seats in the terrace space. We enjoyed beautiful white wine
while feeling an early summer breeze. It was a perfect day for
fresh white wine! (Risa)
May 14th
Yesterday was motherfs day, Did you say
thank you and love you to your mom? Different countries
celebrate Mother's Day on various days of the year because the
day has a number of different origins. We celebrate 2nd Sunday
of May in Japan and usually we give our mom a bouquet of
carnations. (Tomo)
May 10th
Ummcitfs a difficult question, Tomo. It is
very hard to pick one, but I love simple vegetable dishes.
Fresh vegetables give me some power or energy. Some of you
might agree with mec Every time I visit a foreign country, I
find it very interesting to try their traditional food. There
are more than 190 countries on the planet, and they have their
own culture. Itfs so amazing, isnft it? Whatfs the reason you
got attracted to Kyoto? (Risa)
May 9th
Yes Risa go girl! Talk to him!! There is a
Japanese special saying that we have a near telepathic
understanding each other. I do not think it works. We have to
express ourselves. That is one of our cultures though it is
called ISHIN-DENSHIN. Letfs talk about another culture,
Japanese food is known for using plenty of grain, vegetables
and fish. It is now considered a [healthy food] around the
world, and is gaining more and more popularity. What is your
favorite Japanese dish? (Tomo)@
May 8th
SORRY - I have been thinking if I should say
this word to a friend. I usually apologize easily to get out
of awkward situation. Also, I think I have a lot of patience,
so I rarely feel so upset or angry – I mean I donft explode.
But, this timecI canft compromise. Would you apologize in this
situation even if you are 99% sure youfre not wrong? Yes? No?
I never intend to destroy our relationship because he is one
of my important friends, butcyou know what I mean? I guess we
should have a good talk. That might help us get back on the
right track. Do you guys agree with me? (Risa)
May 7th
Itfs almost summer! It is almost 25 degree
centigrade today. As Risa mentioned you before it is time for
YUKA. Check this out!! (Tomo)
May 2nd
Yuka (dining on a temporary veranda by the
Kamo River) is one of summer feature in Kyoto. Lots of
restaurants and bars set the verandas between Gojo and Nijo
Streets. I had an expensive image of Yuka until a couple of
years agocbut thatfs not true. There are quite a few casual
restaurants and bars, so you can visit there with no
hesitation. You just want to have a coffee? Yes, Starbucks by
Sanjo Bridge has set the veranda since yesterday. Isnft it
ideal to enjoy a good coffee, soaking up the sunshine? – I
will take a photo and put it here after Golden Week. If you
are so lucky to come to Kyoto from June to August, I recommend
you to have dinner on the veranda feeling the cool night
breeze. (Risa)
May 1st
Flying Carp Streamers (koinobori) are one of
the traditional events in Japan. 5th of May has been
traditionally called Children's Day in Japan.On this day
parents who have a newborn baby boy celebrate their son's
birth by flagging carp streamers in the sky. Even now, you can
see carp streamers flying in the sky here and there especially
in the countryside of Japan. (Tomo)
