Kyoto land of temples

Kyoto is famous for its abundance of temples, especially the temple to the left Kinkakuji. This temple is made of solid gold, when I first heard of this temple I had to see it for myself. Once I arrive the solid gold looked like spray paint.. Maybe I have never seen so much gold at once my mind automatically said it was fake. Growing up impoverished can have that effect on people.

In 1397 construction started on the Golden Pavilion as part of a new residence for the retired shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu. Kinkakuji was converted into a Zen temple after Yoshimitsu's death in 1408.

The Golden Pavilion functions as shariden, housing sacred relics of the Buddha and is covered in gold leaf. The present building dates from 1955 as the pavilion was burnt by a fanatic monk in 1950 (I still have the guide book, good source of information).


Kyoto is the first city I got a taste of McDonalds in Japan. For about 5 bucks (520 Yen) I got a Teriyaki Burger, Fries, Chicken McNuggets and a Drink, and this was some good shit. Fries not to salty, burger nice and neat, mcnuggets tasted a bit weird at first but once I used the bbq sauce they were off the hook.

Other stuff happen just to lazy to post now check back later.

Fuji City

Fuji City is a really laid back area in Japan, you dont have all the buildings and traffic here as you do in Tokyo. I didnt get a chance to see Mt. Fuji because it was to cloudy but my friends to me to a spot that was just as good.

I also got a chance to try some of the local grinds brah.



The shit on the left is obviously corn but its BBQ'd and laced with soy sauce. On the left is Octopus or squid if forget, but that was good to.

After we left the waterfall we stop by some temple and a monk monistary



This place is a lot bigger than it looks in this picture, I had to stand across the street just to get the whole thing in the shot. Sadly the folks I was with didnt know the history of the place so I can really go into details.

One thing that I like about Japan is there are vending machines everywhere, and I mean EVERYWHERE!



If you walking down the street and need a smoke BAM vending machine with cigarettes. If your getting thirsty BAM vending machine with all kinds of drinks. We will never see shit like this in the states cause most of the vending machines would get stolen.

Updates

Past blogs have been update with hyperlinks to photos I have taken in Japan You can also check out the whole set here

Shinjuku Gyoen

This place is pretty cool and made me feel like I was really in Japan.
http://www.shinjukugyoen.go.jp/

Walking around this huge park made me feel at one with nature, like a white person that quits his job to go live in the woods and has a wolf for a pet.

The had some ginormous trees and freaky birds flying around. These birds were like crows on steroids, I'm talking big. There beaks look like they could kill a cow.


After walking the park I made it to the green house were the tropical garden was stored. Every corner I turn I was wowed by the abstract flowers (2,) and plants.

Shinjuku Gyoen seems to be the spot for young artist and old folk alike. There was alot of sketch pad kids floating around as well as old people resting and eating.

I give this place a grade of A+ for Japanese tourist.

Next stop Fuji City. I know a couple females out here so this is going to be good...

Roppongi

Jesus Chirst, when I got here I felt like I was in TJ or Thailand. "Massage 3000 yen" is all I heard walking down the street. Then you have the Africans trying to lure you into Hostess bars and lame clubs.

Now Roppongi is a colored gentlemens paradise if your into trashy whores *cough*. Granted they looked good dress like hip hop video dancers but you got the feeling if you touched them you would wake up burning... That reminds me I need to call one to see what she doing on Saturday. Hey if I dont someone else will!

Gas Panic


Here is what someone else said about Roppongi

But, after a couple drinks at GasPanic (were you can only stay if you have a drink in your hand). those thoughts start to fade in the back of your mind. I wish I had my camera with me on this one but I didnt know if I could bring it in the club, and for damn sure would leave it with no gold toof'd African (not to be racist but thats what they were).

I ran into DJ Hideo from 100.3's John Sally Block Party, cool dude, real cool.

After that experince, one you wouldnt really expect in Japan I headed to Shinjuku Gyoen...

Shinjuku

Shinjuku, home of the hostess bars. I walked around for hours trying to find a night club for later but all I saw was signs with girls in mini skirts saying 3,900 Yen. I am not going to pay 30 bucks to have a girl sit next to me for 2 hours unless its a... Nevermind.

Tonight I guess I have to go to the tourist friendly town called Roppongi if I wanna find a club.

In my travels I did come across a temple did the praying thing and dropped some change in the prayer troff, there was a little Japanese dude that showed me how to do it.

The Japanese are a nice people if I need help with anything they are more that happy to assist, especially the girls, not that I was only asking girls for help but...

Still have to get my feet wet so after I get back from Roppongi hopelly I will have a real story to tell.

Till then

Finally made it!

Of all the things to happen some a hole had to have a heart attack on my plane making me late 1hr.

After wandering aimlessly through Shinjuku I came across someone that could point me in the right direction toward my hotel (got scared for a second).

The place wasn't as good looking in real life as it was online. the door do my room is like 5 feet tall.

I wish I booked the room with internet so I could post some pics...
Blogging is gay I will write more when I have photos to go with it. Let me say this in closing, pimpin was strong right off the plane!!

Backpacking

Just got my new backpack and I am ready to hit the road.


Click here (new window)to see a close up.

This is one hell of a backpack. I never new how much thought goes into making these things.

Here is some product info:

With loading options and ultra-adjustable suspension, our new internal frame pack handles backpacking in any season on any planet!

• Dual access to pack: top loading plus a horseshoe zipper front panel opening, like a duffel, gives complete view of contents
• An REI exclusive, back panel features a new quick-adjust torso system that is light and durable providing 4 inches of adjustment per size
• Removable top lid doubles as a hip pack for shorter jaunts when you don't need a lot of gear
• Zippered pocket under lid stores maps and keys, plus doubles as a hydration pocket for reservoirs
• Front panel features an oversized zippered pocket protected with a waterproof zipper for storing often-used gear
• Internal sleeping-bag compartment is created by a zippered divider, separating it from gear and clothes in the main compartment
• Both sides feature dual accessory pockets that are sized to fit gloves, water bottle and more
• External mesh side pockets hold water bottles, energy bars and other essentials you want close at hand
• Concave head pod at the top of pack frees up your head for ultimate freedom of movement
• With seven buckles, the streamlined compression system lets you cinch and strap down loads for jostle-free carrying
• Waistbelt features a quad-buckle with four webbing cinches for precise adjustment to hug the waist
• Shoulder straps feature ultra-breathable BROCK Foam™ giving exceptional cushioning and cooling comfort, on and off the trail
• Main compartment's extension/storm collar provides an extra 400 cubic inches of volume

Imported.