snacks are packed, strollers are ready, baby is diapered. we’re off with our guide for the day and despite the rain we’re gonna see us some temples, bamboo, and monkeys.
the rain stops as soon as we get to the first temple and both kids go in carriers. (why did we bring strollers? you can’t temple with strollers.) which dragon/doc almost immediately asks to get out of after insisting upon going into it two minutes earlier. toddler life.
we’re surrounded by middle school students in every direction. i’m feeling judged. i’m being judged. is that one laughing at me? definitely. i remember i’m an adult and the middle school flashback subsides. (even though they ARE pointing and giggling.)
the temple is beautiful, but like everything we’ve seen, it’s the gardens surrounding that are the real attraction. they’re perfect. i can’t really describe why. i know the japanese can. they have a rating system. but i’m happy to just soak in the scenery.
i think we’re three temples in when i realize that the train/dragon might be in love with our guide, miwa. it seems to be requited. they’re running around together with fists on their foreheads (being trains, obviously) and laughing their asses off. she sits with him and teaches him all about rock gardens and demons. he holds her hand everywhere. iso, our driver, is waltzing with the bug every time he gets in or out of the car. they make the day for him.
or so i think. we do a quick walk through the bamboo forest (way too short and way too crowded, but pretty spectacular)
and make our way to the monkey park. i had seriously underestimated the awesomeness of this place. monkeys. everywhere. totally chill and friendly monkeys. with babies. baby monkeys. that you could feed. (although, the mommy monkeys kept snatching the food from the babies. i feel ya, mama. they don’t really appreciate the apples like you do.) thing-one was in heaven. he’s been a big monkey ever since. no changing his name on us. this is huge.
we said our goodbyes to miwa. the big monkey asked if she could stay at our machiya for night. he was pretty disappointed that she has her own life. then it was off to brave a different department store that was recommended to derek for awesome take-out sushi. ok. whatevs.
much to my amazement, directly underneath the perfume and makeup, is a basement of culinary wonders. it’s set up like an indoor fancy-pants farmers market with stands for cakes, artisanal breads, (but no cheese), fried tofu, fried everything, rice, fish, things i couldn’t even guess at. again, i could have wadered for hours, but, you know, the children. with the vast array of food we were having no luck finding the sushi. derek had his most stereotypical male pants on and was refusing to ask anyone for directions. i always get a kick out of the directions thing. he’d have meandered, aimlessly, with two hellcats before talking to someone. i asked and we were taken to the sushi.
another green noodle dinner and the kids were off to bed after having a super great day. we stayed up to eat chips and chocolate without them.
Travels with Larson and Co 