Last Saturday on the 22nd, Chisato came from Tokyo for a visit! I took her around Kyoto and showed her the sights, sounds and obnoxious crowds which she claimed were larger in size than Tokyo's. Well, right now is the prime time to see the Momiji (The leaves that turn color during the autumn season) and Kyomizu Temple on the mountain's side is lit up at night to commerate the season. And it looks absolutely gorgeous, visible from even 10km away. If that weren't enough, it was a long weekend. Add in all the mixtures and you have so many outsiders and Kyoto tourists that the city's population probably triples. For kilometers along the streets it was push and shove, similiar to Shinjuku at 5pm, yet you couldn't simply walk out of one of the exits to escape. I also met Chisato's friend from Osaka, Chie, who rather reminds me a lot of my sister. Silly questions that beg silly answers. Example, as we walk down a street she says "Wow, right now I feel like I'm in Kyoto!" I just had to reply with a snarky answer "I can tell you why, see, you ARE in Kyoto."
The next day I met Chisato again and we walked around many places taking in the vibe of the city but once again it was so packed with people that getting anywhere took substantially longer. In the evening I saw her off as she moved on to Osaka and then made my way to Kyoto Station to meet Sayuri!! "Let's meet at the GIANT christmas tree inside Kyoto station" I said. Easier said than done though. Sayuri picked the tiniest tree around outside the station so it took us sometime to actually find each other. It was really nice seeing her, and she brought my favorite potato chips to boot!
The next day I had classes, oddly enough, before the week long vacation actually began. Right after, Sayuri and I troded through the rainy weather and made our way to Kobe to visit friends we havn't seen in a while. Included were Masa, Megumi, Ayumi and a possibility of Asami as well. Of course, Kobe being a harbour city, it was a cold arrival as we met Megumi at the station. Walking through the miniature streets leading to Konan, I couldn't help but feel like I was in Europe. The rain was still coming down and the winds picked up, unfortunately claiming my 260yen umbrella purchased at Doshisha the same day.
At Konan we sat and had a little bit of cake to commemorate Sayuri's birthday. This university feels like a really nice high-tech facility of sorts and bears a different feel than Doshisha. I'd gotten so used to buildings that probably date back to the day the Leaning Tower of Pisa became famous for not falling. Needless to say, it was a welcome and refreshing change. Then to our surprise, Chisato was in Himeji that day and on her way back to Osaka so she decided to sidetrack and visit Kobe to see us one last time before going home to Tokyo. Along with her came 3 jolly Kansai guys; barrels of fun and jokes.
The next day I went again to Konan with Masa and met some of his friends. He appears to be quite socially connected. Later on, we were able to meet Asami and Ayumi whom we sat and waited with for the late arrivals Megumi and Sayuri. The three of the Konan cadets had to go to classes/part-time jobs so that was that and Sayuri and I left to explore a little bit on our own. That was when we decided to eat and picked the pizza cafe we went to the day before with Chisato and her friends. At the cafe we saw "Red Girl" and had a nice meal and good time before we said goodbye. Sayuri then hopped on the train and went back home to Tokyo.
The next morning I too went back to Kyoto and enjoyed the tail of Doshisha's lively Eve Festival. Often when you use the word "lively" to describe some sort of event in Japan, it really means overcrowded and lots of shoulder pushing. Not to mention noisy. Eve Festival was all the above, but definately interesting for as long as one is willing to put up with the mass of bodies.
That concludes the extra-long weekend and various visits to/from friends. It was energizing to finally have met old Japanese friends. Below are two pictures. The first being a little view of what momiji does to the surrounding landscapes (the view is on the street I pass by everyday on my way to school) and the second shot is Kobe as seen from Konan University.
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