Update

We met Kim in Kyoto and have been here for the last few days. Today is out last day here and unfortunatly I dont have time to catch up the blog with the big meaty posts I usually do. But after here we are getting a train to Yoshino and doing the kumano kodo pilgramage. We are going to be up in the mountains for the next 10-14 days so wont have any posts for a while.

The cherry blossoms are just starting here in Kyoto and if we were here in about 2 weeks I think it would be full bloom, still the occassional bloomed tree here and there really adds to the majestic scenery in some parts of town. Theres definitly a lot of tourists here so we have been visiting the smaller temples to stay away from them, The main temples are soo crowded. Today will be pretty much all big temples though so we will wade our way through the tourists to catch a glimpse. Price also dictates our destinations, some temples charge 600 en to get in the door so we don:t even bother. Its an interesting system, a lot of time they call the charge a *woshiping fee* Which always brings the 700 club to my mind.