Japan, day 2:

Got up really early, attended a Buddhist service. Note that sitting on your knees is quite painful if you don’t do it that often. It isn’t an extremely pleasurable thing to do.
Sore kara, we went to the Ebisu Shrine, where I bought a charm for business. It was nice. In that same area is Yasaka Shrine, which we are supposed to go to today – but a few of us went yesterday for a quick peek…It is one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen.

Funny Story Time: Charlie, one of the others on the trip, and I went to go look at a little store in the park behind the shrine for a second. Charlie needed a camera, so I walked over and asked if they had disposible cameras. All of a sudden, two Japanese businessman came over and said ‘Yoo Supeaku Japoniisu?’ So Charlie and I said yes, and they began asking us stuff in Japanese. Then, all of a sudden they said ‘Do you like Japanese osake?’ So, since my throat hurt, I said no, but Charlie had a bit to drink. About that time, two of our friends walked over, and pointed out that we had to meet the rest of the group, so we said thank you and stood up. Then the two businessmen stopped us and, all of a sudden, handed both of us 1000 yen. So, we got free food and drink, and then 1000 yen on top of that. All in all, a good deal.

Next, we shot off to the Temple of 1000 Buddhas, where there are many many Buddhas. A whole lot. But you can’t take pictures, so I didn’t. Unlike some people there.

Also, knowing some Japanese has been a great boon…seriously, I don’t know how you can survive well without. The younger people all speak some English, but many vendors and older people speak little outside of ‘Thank you’ or ‘Sorry’.