We found a stair way to heaven after we took the train to Kyoto. It was actually an outdoor escalator in a large department store/mall, but that doesn't sound as cool. Lunch time was upon us, so we scanned each floor for restaurants. We weren't sure what we wanted, but we decided not Ramen again. We searched the shopping area, found nothing, and went back down the magical stairs (still sounds better than escalator, doesn't it)and found another good restaurant in the city. We found menus, pointed to the pictures we wanted, and inadvertently ordered Ramen. It was good nonetheless.
We found a cab and asked the driver about sites as we checked our map. Everything was good. Was the palace good? Yes, he agreed. Good.
He dropped us off at the palace and made his way back to somewhere else. I'm sure it was good, wherever it was. I'm sure the palace was good, except for the happy guards who wouldn't let anyone in. "No permission," we were informed. Good to know.
On the outside was another scenic park, so we took pictures and enjoyed the lovely day. Children chased pigeons while white flower petals rained around us. Nature. What a ham.
We walked to a shrine from there and read a story on a sign. Apparently boars are good for healing and providing safety on trips. I also believe they taste like pork, but the sign didn't mention anything about that.
We walked on as we hunted for a Starbucks we knew had to be nearby. At least half an hour later, we decided it wasn't as close as we had thought. By the time we found it, I was convinced we were seeing a mirage. Can caffeine deprivation do that? If it did, that sand tasted a lot like coffee so I can't complain.
After we continued walking, every third building was a Starbucks. Nice touch.
We entered an endless shopping area, bought some souvenirs including a doll with helmet hair, and finally found Engrish to cherish. I bought it, and I'll take pictures if I remember. If not, sorry.
We ate fries, watched fashionable people shop for clothes and occasionally trip, then shopped some more and headed back.
Beka and I were still hungry when we got back to our hotel, so we went to the mall area to find any restaurants open after 8. We went to a place called Spuds and ordered sandwiches and fries. The guy behind the counter looked Indian, so we asked where he was from originally.
"India, I guess," he replied. It turns out he had lived in Canada and the U.S. a good deal of his life. He sounded American, except for when he rattled off our orders in Japanese. I was a little embarrassed to admit being from Korea at that point. Well, we can order food in Korean, kind of.
I'm sure we redeemed ourselves by eating fries with chopsticks. But, he brought us silverware "just in case" so you never know.Thankfully we didn't need it.
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