Some people walking down the street.
Rickshaw maidens. (人力車, jinrikisha)
DATE: 20 March 2011
Minamiza Kabuki Theatre across the street.
DATE: 20 March 2011
After browsing the craft fair, we hopped onto a train from the Kuzuha station and headed off to Kyoto. We eventually got off at the Gion-shijo Station and made our way to the Yasaka Jinja.
DATE: 20 March 2011
Getting some tickets.
The word “commutation” always made me think that train was going to mutate into some sort of Transformer…but that’s just me though.
DATE: 20 Marc 2011
There was a craft fair outside the mall that was set up in order to raise money for earthquake relief. My room-mate and I walked around the tables and stopped at this particular one. Since it was my last week in Japan, I was looking for souvenirs - especially some for my parents. I looked at a sake cup and thought it would be perfect for my dad. There was some kanji on the cup that I didn’t understand, so my room-mate helped me communicate with the potter. This simple inquiry lead to more questions and we struck a conversation with the man; he asked us where we came from and we expressed our admiration for Japanese culture. Upon hearing that I came from the USA, he told us that he went there for a while and learned a bit of English. He then explained to both of us how he made the pottery and the techniques he used in English.
I was extremely impressed and told him I wanted to purchase the sake cup. Seeing my interest in his pottery, offered to give me a plate as a present. To be offered something that a person has worked on himself is one of the greatest honours, and I accepted a beautiful black plate from him. As a thank you, I offered him a green tea bread that I had just purchased at the bakery inside the mall and put some more money in his donation box.
This picture always brings a smile to face and always inspires me to be more gentle in nature.
DATE: 20 March 2011
Some sort of scout troop. Not really sure what they are…
DATE: 20 March 2011
One stop away from Makino is Kuzuha Station - which is smack dab in the middle of the Kuzuha Shopping Mall (or besides it). I had only been there once previous to this occassion; that was when I went on a run with the Running Club from the Seminar House to the mall.
Kuzuha Mall is really no different from any other mall in the USA: it has it’s blend of “unique” stores, a food court, and well…a food shopping court. Maybe that part was different, but it was your typical mall.
DATE: 20 March 2011
I had been to Makino Station on a few occasions prior to that time (such as when I went the Tsuutenkaku), but it felt a lot different now that there was no large group.
This station is simple, yes; but it felt nice just to wait for the train in the open air.
DATE: 20 March 2011
Construction site near Makino Station.
DATE: 20 March 2011
A lot of people were going out of town for their spring break, including my room-mate. As a result of such events, we decided to tour Kyoto together since it was to be our last day together before she came back.
Instead of going to Hirakata-shi station, we decided to take the train at Makino station (牧野駅) since it was just as close and it was one station closer to Kyoto. On the way to Makino, there was a pre-school that had some colourful items in its courtyard, which included this bus; I believe it was a bear.
DATE: 21 March 2011
Ice cream in a hot dog bun.
Magical Dog is an ice cream shop that I usually passed by when I was walking to Hirakata-shi from school. It wasn’t until my friends invited me to a little adventure that I went over to try the ice cream.
DATE: 18 March 2011
Kansai Gaidai University Graduation.
DATE: 19 March 2011
DATE: 19 March 2011
