Kanazawa to Kyoto, Japan

Continuing fun in Kanazawa with Kate has made me excited, and a little sad, to travel on to Kyoto. Once a great capital of Japan, Kyoto has more to see than I could possibly fit in. This will be another semi-extended stay, I can tell. Although I'm excited to move around a bit, I can't pass up the things it has to offer.
I was excited to have gone to Onsen (the public bath) with Kate. There are many tubs at different temperatures, and some benches, rocks and chairs with hot water running down them. Everybody in Japan goes to Onsen. With about 60 naked Japanese men, teenagers, and children, running around, you'd think the tubs would be crowded. But, miraculously, every tub I got into was suddenly vacated. So I often had them all to myself. That was so nice of them!
The weekend before I left, Kate, her friends and I crammed a lot in. We saw Ninja-Dera: the temple with the trap doors and escape tunnels. It was quite impressive. Many hidden rooms, attack techniques, deceiving doors, and even a tunnel from the bottom of the well that led to the castle. Sadly, because it is a temple, there were no pictures allowed.
We also saw shishiku, a museum of the dragon and lion heads used in parades, as well as some large puppets that are carried around for the fertility festival. Kate and her friends saw them in action just a few weeks ago. Men run around carrying these puppets and large fallic symbols, and get free sake and beer. There was a video at the museum of everyone dancing very drunk and loud. Looks like fun!

We saw Nata-dera, an outdoor garden temple, Daijo-ji, another, smaller temple, and walked along the Asanogawa river where the cherry blossoms are extravagant, when they bloom. There are Blue herons and Koi living wild in the river. It's a beautiful place.

Kanazawa, JAPAN

So, with very little trouble, I was able to make it to Kanazawa. Katya was at the train station waiting for me with her friend Yuko, who drove us home. She has to work everyday, but that's fine, because I have the time to see all the cool things that Kanazawa has to offer.
I got totally lost three times the first day, and found out that, although I knew where TOWN was, and how to get there, I had no idea where I was. So it was much further than I had thought. My legs are still sore. But I did manage to get into town to see the Kenroku-en garden. It's definitely Kanazawa's pride and joy for a reason. They say it's one of the 3 best garden's in all of Japan. They are setting up Yokitsuri(elaborate rope support on trees to protect them from snow) on their favorite trees now. This black pine is extremely old(planted from seed by the 13th Lord of Kaga) and has about 400 ropes on it, although they're not tied up yet.
It has become obvious to me, that if I don't learn at least a few things about the language, I won't eat, and I'll have to walk everywhere. There's some english at the heavily touristed areas, but they don't assume you are interested in anything else. I feel like I'm getting a hand on things though. I can read enough to know where the bus is going, and recognize a few meals, and things in the grocery store. And yesterday I made a yoyaku (reservation) for 3, but it was a struggle for both of us. For a few days when someone offered me a pamphlet, I responded "this" instead of "no thank-you."
I saw the Geisha district, and tomorrow, the ninja house with trap doors and hideout passages. There's a lot to see, but most things close on Wednesday, so I spent the day just walking. I saw Kanazawa-jo (the castle), a million shrines(I keep forgetting to cleanse my hands), a bunch more gardens, and a small area of the Honda museum. The best stuff is, of course, everything else. I saw the Omicho fish market in the morning(sadly, no fish throwing, but plenty of yelling). Big squid, fish, and a bunch of gross green stuff. It's snow crab season, and, like melons($10), they are given as gifts on evergreen leaves, so one can cost $250. Mushrooms in the same style, can go for $650 for about 5 'shrooms. I just bought a bouquet of orchids for Kate for $3.50.
Today, perhaps I will go to shamisen no fukushima shop(a shamisen is the traditional instrument we all think of in old japanese music) where they will let me play them.
The evenings I chat with Kate (after being nearly silent all day) and we walk around. Beer is expensive, but sake is pretty cheap....depending on what you get. I'm having a blast! Although I think small cartoon girls have to beware of shadow people at night. This is an actual sign from the bus stop.

KJ's last night in Tahoe















Monika and I in Genoa for Jonelle's bachelorette party














Chris and I at Jonell and Willy's wedding

Tahoe, CA

Keeping ourselves busy in Tahoe isn't so hard to do...

We finally got a bit of snow...and skied our booties off. And are now watching it melt away to quickly.

So we have found other things to keep us occupied...Team Fun!


Went to see the Mutaytors at the Crystal Bay Club....

SLT, CA

February already? And still no snow!!! But considering we haven't had snow in a month, the conditions are surprisingly good. Chris and I took an avalanche class last weekend, which was a lot of fun and interesting besides the fact that we didn't have much snow pack to look at. But we haven't given up hope yet...the Sierras are know for their late snow falls.

Its Superbowl Sunday! Go Bears!!! After 22 years, we're back!!! And ready to kick some Colt's ass!! Going down to Brian Polkow's house to watch the game...nothing like being around crazy Bears fans to liven up the game.