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Kyoto, Japan
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Cardiff, Nicolai & Russ attempt to lay out our futons at the Sparkling
Dolphins Inn in Kyoto.
When they finished, there was just enough room for the 5 of us to sleep
in the room.
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A block from Sparkling Dolphins is a toystore, which of course also
carries appliances! I thought the concept of these refrigerators
was interesting - by allowing you to open just a portion of the whole,
energy will be conserved.
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We took Cardiff and Nicolai to the Golden Pavillion (Kinkaku-ji), an
awesome sight.
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Nicolai, Gaetan and Cardiff pose in front of the Kinkaku-ji.
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This poster was at the Kinkaku-ji and everyone liked it so much, I took
a photo.
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The blue-and-white koi at the Kinkaku-ji reminded me of Chinese porcelin.
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A red-and-white koi with a turtle friend. They are begging for
handouts.
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Gorgeously tended gardens, green with the summer rains, and blue sky
from our first truly sunny day of the trip.
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A small shrine in the shade.
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A bonsai and a statue on an island in a pond.
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Temple woodwork - a dragon.
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Temple woodwork - an elephant?
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Sunset near the Sparkling Dolphins Inn.
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Taking a walk at night, we spotted something that would probably give
nightmares to our electrician friend Scott!
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A canal in old Kyoto at night.
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Sorry about the blurring, it was hard to hold still enough for the nighttime
exposure. But notice the suit-clad figures at the end of
the street. All sorts of interesting people frequent the old part
of Kyoto at night; let's just say they are people you don't want to
annoy.
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A very good musician playing a very fine Martin guitar by the subway
entrance.
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Back to the old
part of Kyoto the next day. Further
down the street ...
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.. a Maiko (an apprentice Geisha) is having a professional photographer
take her picture, probably for a portfolio.
He photographs her from all angles. The white paint extends almost
- but not all the way - to the nape of the neck.
![](../../images/Japan/Kyoto/Kyoto_221_Maiko.jpg)
Later, Russ and I were passed on the street by 3 Maiko walking together.
We both felt strangely affected.
I was breathless and a little light-headed. I think "dislocated"
might describe it best. It was awesome!
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