The plan was supposed to be to go to Nara today. However with being out last night I did not surface in time, I think I would need at least half a day for Nara so it looks like I am staying here another night, Awww well. Nothing too exciting planned today, maybe just go for a walk and see some of the stuff in the surrounding area. There is a temple within walking distance of the hostel, and I can take a route through some old style streets and stalls to get there so I'll do that a little later.
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I head down and ask Yo, one of the hostel guys about a good walking route for me to hit up the temple and see some of the classic Japanese stuff as well. He gets some stuff pencilled in on the map and I'm off. It's a bit layer in the afternoon so at least the sun has died down a bit! These wee streets are great, a break from the ultra modern normal Japan experience. Lots of little stalls and shops. One of the big things here is green tea, they even have it in ice cream. Soft ice cream, green tea flavour, not for me I don't think but it doesn't stop the many Japanese queuing up for it. As I'm walking through the streets I'm starting to feel optimistic about maybe seeing a geisha or maiko. As of yet I haven't seen one, and my hostel is in Gion, supposedly the best place to see one! Then it happens! I turn the corner and two maikos standing right there. I'm in a bit of a panic. Don't just want to shove my camera in their face so I casually walk past. The plan is then to turn round and just casually take a photo of the street, but secretly zoom in on them! Perfect! So I slip out my camera, turn round and thy are walking the other way! So I have a great photo of the back of them! Brilliant! I walk on and get to Kiyomizu Temple. It's quite a bit up a hill but nothing compared to what I have already completed. It has a forest setting and the main building has a balcony the extends out in to the trees. There are also three waterfall the Otawa spring. It is said that drinking from them brings luck. One is for wealth, one for health and one for love. God know which was which as when I got there I saw no signs detailing which was which. I queued up, obviously and extended out my cup, on about a meter pole with a cup on the end, to collect the water. It was good Craic, some people getting really in to it, drinking cups and cups! It is said that it is bad luck to drink from all 3, yet I'm pretty sure I saw a few westerners drinking from all 3 while their friends were taking photos a plenty! After I'd had my fill I make my way back down thought the streets, unfortunately no more geishas, seems like perhaps I have missed my chance.
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Back at the pad and I'm chatting to a couple of English guys who have been reaching English in Beijing for a couple of years. Apparently this is the job of choice for a native English speaker. The ask me out for dinner and I accept. This was before I realised they were complete cheap skates. They asked at the desk for the cheapest place to get food, suggesting that ¥500 is too much. I understand that it is a lot more than in China, but come on! We end up at a noodle bar not far from the hostel, where the food was cheap. It was ok, just not what I'd normally have for dinner. There was an old guy running the show, and there was only us and one other guy there. What was interesting was that he had Linkin Park playing, fairly loud. Ha ha ha. As if the meal selection wasn't bad enough, I'm pretty sure these blokes were gay. One didn't really say much, Simon and Hugh wouldn't shut up. Just kept talking to fill the silence. By the time dinner was done they said they were heading out, I was glad and informed them I was going back to the hostel. I was pleased to be getting away. Then, to my horror they had just done a U turn in plans and decided they were going to stay in also. Looked like I was going to be taking an early night. Luckily when we got back there was a bit of life about the place, got chatting to a bunch of people, having a few beers. Don't think I made it to bed till 3. I'll need to sort this!