Monday, 23 May 2016

Kyoto day 4

Moss garden and kokedera temple
We were fussing about which bus to take at the bus stop till the bus driver told David not to get on his bus by using crossed arms!
The locals were giggling at us because  three people had told us the correct bus but the men didn't trust  them because it didn't match the notes we had. Men are so hunter gatherer sometimes.
We lost Kim David and Ann after walking in the bamboo grove. I was busting so i was a bit miffed we had waited so long for them at one spot. They were miffed with us because they missed us at the temple. It was only after I had found a loo that Bill told us that we were supposed to meet at the bus stop if we got separated! They of course were there! Why can't we get the messages correct. None of us were impressed with each other. It is like those survivor shows -all about communicating effectively.
Then we visited the moss garden  and Kokedera temple. It was scenic ride out to a charming village. Before we could see the Moss gardens we needed to attend a Buddhist ceremony which involved writing prayers ( actually copying the letters that were already printed on the paper) with a caligaraphy pen and ink for a period of time to calm our thoughts. Then we were encouraged to write a wish and it would be prayed for by the monks. On completing this task we were free to wander the gardens. I had the pleasure of the serenity almost to myself. The rest of the group went the opposite way( exit) and had to battle a few tour groups. I was so glad I had been before them all. It was so green and though there are about 120 different mosses I could only discern a few.
Back to the city, where Ann and I ventured into the station to find a pharmacy to buy cold sore cream. We actually crossed through the station and back again without getting lost. What an achievement!
Went to dinner but could not get into the place we wanted and so found an alternative. There was a mix up in the menu and we paid more than was value due to our misunderstanding what was ordered. Kim, with Bill, Irene and David received very little while Ann and I had a lot. We all ate the small tray of vegetables thinking they were appetisers but were in fact the accompanying vegetable to the others' meal.was actually Kim , David, Irene and Bill's vegetables! The staff spoke little English but were so pleasant and we have no Japanese so it was all a misunderstanding. I have now downloaded a simultaneous translater! Half the cost was the alcohol! 
We have instituted a kitty to save hassles over the bill and it is great. Bill is the kitty holder and likes to keep a close eye on the spending. He is very responsible. We have a tousle over the exchange rate because I just use the currency exchange app while he uses the specific rate he got on his card. He is more accurate of course but I just want to know roughly.

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