20 Seconds To Arrive.
A timely break this week from the daily bump n grind saw us in Kyoto, one-time capital of Japan, home to over 2000 temples and the last of the Geisha. Unable to face catching the overnight leg cramper I splashed the cash for the Shinkansen bullet train and was there before I'd got out of bed (not for the first time did I wish I'd invested in some respectable P.J's). An eight hour journey condensed into three. No excuses about no maple leaves on no line neither. En route I managed to spot the famous Mt Fuji coyly peeking its head out from behind some rather pituresque cloud cover.
Zen'd Out.
Kyoto made a nice change from the asylum that is Tokyo. We let the meaning (and the cash) unfold in a series of zen gardens (my that's a nice rock) and temples which preened like glamour models for the barrage of paparrazzi. Against the background of tinny tannoys and clicking shutters we attempted to achieve nirvana but the overall effect was more like listening to Courtney Love. Very pretty though. You can't fail to appreciate the simple organisation of a Japanese garden though I am left with the nagging feeling that there may be something wrong with your soul if the your overriding impulse on contemplating raked sand is to jump in and make snow angels in it.
Girls With Film.
It only takes a short while in Japan to realise why the Japanese go camera mad when they hit Europe. Everything must seem so different. And slow, like how a fly sees us moving into slow motion (geedaaaaa spooooon). At the plaza near my station I count four giant t.v screens with the volume turned right up. It's fortunate that the Japanese themselves are so well mannered and quiet or the extreem noise terror would be unbearable. It's like a living fun fair every day (scream if you want to go faster). Unlike a fun fair however the low pikey count means you can enjoy it without fear of flashing too much bling. You can see why they feel it's permisible to walk aroud with a Nikkon that cost half a South American country's GDP and not have it taken off you.
Livin' Doll.
I was also lucky enough to see a few real live Geisha in Kyoto. Glimpsed through teahouse windows laughing politely at the jokes of suited businessmen, moving as fast as their restricted little legs could carry them to their next appointment. The effect of painted faces and glittering robes suddenly appearing out of the darkness in front of you is quite ghostly. There are apparently less than 1000 Geisha in the country inhabiting a closed world somewhere between Japan's present and its past.

That's all folks. Next week; What Not To Wear.