Once again the dormitory/hostel type accommodation meant a very early wake up time — someone using the hair dryer across the hall in the dual gender bathroom served as our alarm clock around 5AM. But we had an early train to take anyway, and were anxious to move on from the southern countryside to a more urban and sophisticated spot. It was a direct train that cruised around the coast for 4 1/2 hours. It was a beautiful view; the mountains dropping into the sea, and little fishing villages nestled in the coves. The only disconcerting thing was the emergency card in the seat back pocket about what to do in the case of a tsunami!
Kyoto is a completely different feel from Tokyo, and even more dramatically different from the mountain villages we’ve been staying in. We collected some maps from the tourist bureau and found a taxi stand that catered to foreign tourists, and had a driver who had lived in the U.S. for several years. It was only 4km to the hotel, but our driver gave us the nickel tour, pointing out various sites and the direction of things to go see. Our hotel is small and lovely and in a wonderful neighborhood that is near the river and close to everything.
We weren’t able to check in right away, so we walked around and the first thing we wanted was an American meal! So, we headed to McDonald’s! Yes, I ate a Big Mac and loved every bite of it. Then we went to a specialty kimono shop, looking for a little something to remember Japan by, and wound our way around the neighborhood, poking around interesting shops. For dinner we walked along The Pontocho Dori Street, which runs parallel to the Kamo River and offers many restaurants and bars along a narrow alley, with some offering river views. I focussed on the sake tasting!
And that was the end of my last day in my 50’s…
I know you are desperate if you are eating a Big Mac!