Day 4 Kyoto.

I bought a new memory card from BIC in Tokyo, which I discovered was either faulty or the victim of my technological incompetence when I tried using it in Arashiyama, so today we traipsed over to  the BIC  store here to see if they could tell me what was wrong.  Nobody in the camera store spoke very much English, and my Japanese is non- existent, but through sign language they worked out that I wasn't the problem, the memory card was.  Then, a miracle happened.  They got a translator on the phone to ask what I wanted. I explained and they said I could have a replacement card, plus a cd with the missing photos that I had been unable to unload for free.  This all would all have taken about 45 minutes, involved 3 to 4 staff members, and I did not have to pay a cent.  Now that is service!  Thank you BIC.  I love you!

We decided to go to Isetan so my friend could take a photo of the incredible escalators which descend 11 floors in a straight line.  As usual we got distracted.  There was an amazing display of art from local artists, and we met 2 of the makers: Shigeki Miura, who works in wood and does printing, and Yousuke Fujimura, who makes beautiful tiles and lamps, and clothing using  screen printing.  There were also awesome ceramics, jewellery, knitted people, ear muffs, and hats.

After that, we decided to take the train to Fushimi Imari Shrine.  Unfortunately, we had a senior moment and got out three stops too early.  Still, we managed to glimpse other shrines and a taste of suburban life before we walked to the station and caught the train again.  Once we got off at the correct stop, we joined the crowds strolling past the souvenir shops and food vendors ( catching a snack of huge grilled scallops and sugared sweet potato wedges on the way) and bumped into a couple from Seattle who we had met in Arashiyama!  What are the chances in a city this big?

 

 

 Leaving them, we started the gradual ascent of the path through the thousands of stunning red/ orange tori gates which wind upwards through the forest towards the summit.  On the way, we passed temples and thousands of shrines dedicated to the god of rice, Inari.

 

 Most had statues of  foxes, which are supposed to be the messengers of the god.

 We took time to wander off into the forest from time to time, to enjoy the wonderful bird song, the earth, the plants and the sound of the breeze through the trees, and views of one of the little lakes.

 

 Occasionally, we came across little cats, which were obviously fed by the locals since they were very tame.

 When we decided that we had gone far enough and the gradient steepened a lot, we took the shortcut back, coming across other shrines - some looking more Chinese in style with dragons and  Buddhist monks, others with wonderful frogs.

We stopped at a cafe by a lake, Vermilion, and discovered an Aussie waiter and that the owner had lived in Melbourne for 10 years!

Another long day, but a very enjoyable one.