The last stretch

I can't believe I'm almost done! Again I'm faced with the prospect of not wanting to leave Japan, but also wanting to return to Maine with friends and family. This time, however, I believe the idea of going home far outweighs the desire to remain in so hospitably beautiful a country, no matter how much work awaits me at school. ><

Thus, I have good news, and bad news. The good news is that I'm finally leaving Kyoto as my 1 month apartment stint is up, so It's off to Nara for one night, and then to Ise and Kumano from there.
The bad news...is...well, I sent a large package (about 10kg) home two days ago, but because of it's weight and girth did not comply with airmail regulation standards for packages to America. So I had to send it by sea/ground mail, which is going to take about 2 months which places it's arrival around the end of January 2011. I'm worried because the particular post office could only give me the lowest insurance amount, but I gave them Jake's company address in Japan to send the package to in the event of a mistake or rebound.  Still, I'm glad I had sent another package previously perhaps half the size and weight of this one before, and it did arrive home safe and intact, so there is hope. I just have to stop worrying about it! ><

Anyways, I promised my sis I'd post a few pictures and such here, though I'm saving most of the good one's for my final collection. I must have over a thousand by now! Man it's going to be hard to sort them through.

 Atop Ginkakuji ground walk.

 Kitano Tenmangu small shrine. I think it's an Ise subshrine judging from the design. Will check.

 Umm...Arashi-yama, walk to bamboo forest.

Located in some important dead guy's garden legacy. The droppings are amusing, but I don't think this one works anymore.

So there you have it! The past week or so I've been ranging around Kyoto, mostly finishing up loose ends. My favorite things in Kyoto that I've discovered would have to be.....

Inari, always.:)
Zen, a vegitarian Korean/Japanese health food restaurant near Kitano. Their like, 15 grain/seed/nut mix rice is AMAZING.
Atlas Club, organic brown rice restaurant in Nishiki food market area. Fantastic food. Good price.
Uhhh....it's a fairtrade shop on one side of the main Kyoto Uni. Campus. Nice place.
Gojo Guesthouse, cute place to stay. Though the showers are a bit....fungly....
Kitano is quite beautiful, probably my second favorite after Inari.

Aaaand that's all I can think of right now! I just wanted to add that...list of things I like. Helps the memory. Well then! Iiiit's...about 10:30am right now, gotta get out to Nara! Sad though, I just learned that the Imperial Palace is open for viewing today! Ah screw it, I'm getting tired of all this sightseeing and historical place visiting. (same thing really, but it sounds better, maybe.) Time for a smidgen of good old Nara R&R!! Really, when it comes down to it, I love Nara so much more than Kyoto. :)


Cheers!
~Kira