Kyoto Trip 2

Alot went on during this trip so hopefully I can remember it all. We left at around noon. Originally it was only Emily, John, and I, but Andra's friends cancelled on her last minute so we invited her along. The four of us decided seperatly not to wear our best winter clothes that day. I especially told my host parents that I would be fine wearing just a sweatshirt and gloves and a scarf. BOOOOOY was I wrong. But that part comes later. We decided that since we would go around to Kiyomizu dera and then to see the huge Buddha. Kiyomizu dera is a Buddhist temple set on this huge hill. Smoe facts I learned that day: People used to throw themselves of the temple, it was said that if you lived your wish would come true...- they had a nice gate up so people can't really do that anymore ^_^ instead of taking the huge staircase we took the ramp which went by all of these cool shops selling tradition Japanese traditional items. Kimonos, Geisha dolls, handmade fans, handmade pottery. All very expensive, but nice to look at. We went through the big red gate and into the temple grounds. It was very cold that day, we didn't expect a lot of people to show up. It was actually pretty funny, all the tourists were Japanese. xD we were the only foreigners around. Apparently, one the the temple workers told us that foreigners only come out when it's warm and that made us laugh. Halfway through the temple (outside temple to be exact) it started to snow. This made it a little unpleasant to continue walking through. And then.. what should we find in the middle of the temple gruonds?! An udon shop! :D so we sat down to have a late lunch. We also tried some sake. So... some god advice for anyone who wants to try sake, 1. Don't. 2. If you have to, take it like a shot so you can't taste it. It was pretty nasty, but it was a first that needed to be done. After finishing the temple area we walked over to the big Buddha. Unfortunatly it was getting late and the park had closed down for the night. So we awkwardly snapped a photo in the parking lot and walked back to the station. We ended the night with Karaoke. Very fun Saturday night.