Stacy: Day 9 - Fushimi Inari Hike; geisha dance; ramen!
Today was an easy-going, eventful, and unforgettable day! Somewhat...
The day started off with rain. Lots of rain. We thought our Fushimi Inari Taisha hiking tour (a behind-the-scenes hike, coming from the top and back to the shrine) would be cancelled. But, the rain was light enough, and without lighting, so we proceeded as planned. ((Nando stayed behind for a rest day))
While walking to the train station-I was moving quickly-I completely wiped out in the crosswalk due to slick polished granite. For as considerate as they say the Japanese are, no one offered to help, or even stopped to see if I was ok. It wasn't super busy, but there were people around and crossing with (towards) me. Pride and left knee hurt, I made it to our meeting point BY MYSELF! 😁 ((It still hurts 12+ hours later, but the bruising isn't bad. Must have bruised the bone.))
The hike was rough in the rain.
She brought us past one of the major Buddhist temples in the county (but we did not enter), walked around a small shrine that most outsiders don't ever see, and then two small bamboo forests. A guy on our tour spotted a little crab in our path! Kristen and Aaron saw a bunch of little frogs on this same path, but I missed them.
Then, I did something I never thought I'd do in Japan, let alone in two different foreign countries in one year! Bouldering! There were some quite treacherous parts to this above average hike. See photos: Aaron helping Kristen across over part; a broken bridge with a very narrow pathway on one side of it. "don't touch the broken bridge," our guide said. "If you do, I can't help you." 🤣🤣🤣
We saw some beautiful things, in the misty fog, and when we finally got to the top of the shrine, it was awesome because no one else was there, yet! As we approached the bottom, it became very noisy, and there was no more rain.
Even though the rain made hiking difficult, there were very few people towards the top of the main shrine. This means, we got those "Instagram-worthy" photos (no people)!
Then, finally dry, off to a geisha dance! Kristen really wanted to see this, and I'm so glad she did! We had a "tea ceremony" ((no photos allowed!)) which wasn't traditional at all. Basically, the geisha was constantly making the tea for us as we all came and went. As my party left, amidst the most noisy commotion of everyone else in the room (30 people?), our eyes met, and I smiled and nodded gently to her in thanks. She smiled and nodded back, ever so slightly (and so slowly and elegantly!).
The performance ((no photos allowed!)) was fantastic, even if I didn't understand more than 1% of it. 😂 We had excellent seats; we sat near the musicians. Towards the end, the 5 geisha danced near our seats, and I got to watch that same geisha dance up close. She was the most beautiful and graceful of them all, IMO, but I have a feeling she wasn't considered their top dancer due to her placement (just like ballet). Then, suddenly, they procured paper objects that resembled ninja stars, and threw them into the crowd. I wondered if they were sent to kill us... And I think she saw my face because I got the feeling she wanted to throw one to me, but created I wouldn't catch it. They're experts at reading people, remember.
To end the night, we went to Kyoto Engine Ramen, where they offer GF noodles! Now, I am NOT a fan of ramen but I need different places to eat.
Turns out, I only like 100% Japanese ramen, with Japanese ingredients. This was the most fantastic broth I've ever had. Everyone else agreed as well. And to think: we never would have eaten there had I not had Celtic disease! I'm pretty sure I have another ramen place on the itinerary, in Tokyo.
Good night!
