Oideyasu! Please take off your shoes.
Warm spring weather came to Kyoto on Tuesday, and Greg played in the park with a playmate who returs to Germany today. Usually, Greg doesn't play "together" with other kids, just side-by-side but separate. But this time they were working together to transfer an entire mud puddle from its usual position on the ground to their clothing. They succeeded. it was nice to see them playing together, so it's a bit sad to see her go. Who knows how different they will be the next time they meet.
Also this week, e had the Kyoto bloggers meetup last Sunday, just three of us and two more who couldn't quite catch up. Present also were Frenchman Thomas and Singaporean Kentie (link please). A small group, but a good start. We had some drinks at Tadgs and then moved to a Kiyamachi hole-in-the-wall Roling Stones-themed pub called Bar Ing for snacks and more beer. Next time we'll cast a wider net.
Greg goes girl hunting at the Doll Festival at Shimogamo jinja, which predates the founding of Kyoto City in A.D. 794. 12-layered kimono on a real woman and a hina doll. At this festival little hina dolls on straw floats called "nagashi-bina" are floated down the ancient Mitarashi stream that runs through the shrine, carrying away your worries. I switched to video for the release by the two main actors in ancient imperial court dress, so please wait a bit for that.
