Bye, Bye Kyoto...And Hello Seoul!
It's time to pack our bags again, let the adventures continue! No sooner have we put our bags in lockers at Kyoto Station are we on a train with Hikaru to the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove. This is our last sight in Kyoto and Japan, tonight we land in Seoul, South Korea. So let's soak in the last of what Japan has to offer in the time we have left on this gorgeous Spring day.
There's no time to waste, so breakfast comes in the form of a breakfast sandwich on our walk to the grove. The tourists are in full force here but upon entering the grove, the other worldlyness of this place is in no way diluted — the quality of the light changes and as you look up the stalks tower above in all directions. This is perhaps the most peaceful of green-spaces one could wish to be enveloped in.
Unfortunately we can't dwadle and are quickly on the move again. Exiting the grove, walking along the river for a quick look at the iconic Togetsukyo Bridge before weaving our way through a few shops — only to discover Sakura soft serve ice cream!! That's coming with us!!
We admittedly are a rush this morning partly because of an object of desire that has been on our minds, since we first set eyes on it three days ago. It must be ours, it's not on the way and is possibly too expensive. But it's truely a "love, must-have" so our train back to Kyoto station is met by a taxi, not to the airport but to store to be reunited with OUR sake set. All ours, lovingly packaged for safe shipping to The States. Hello dear friend, see you again soon.
Right, back to a taxi and Kyoto Station to catch a train to the airport. We have a plane to catch! At the station we say farewell to Hikaru, our guide, and a friend I've not seen in 15 years... Too long. We'll see each other again, hopefully in New York, where we can return all the kindness he's shown us. In true Japanese-class he waves us off until our train has left the station.
Unfortunately we are flying Peach Airlines. They offered a great price for the short flight but the downside is we have to fly through their terminal. All I can do is look into the distance, longingly at the main terminal and all of it architectural glory. Anyway this peach turd of a terminal is short-lived and we arrive into Seoul just under two hours later.
The shift from Japan to South Korea is sudden, the train from Incheon Airport into Seoul stops directly under the building we are staying in. We pop up to our cute AirBnb, then down and out to the street.
We have arrived. Where? Not sure exactly, but all signs point to hipster central. We're near a university and these kids are cool. It's after 9pm and they are hanging out on the streets in the best possible way. The options for places to eat and drink are plentiful and we dive right into a Korean BBQ place! One big pot of sizzling stew washed down with a local brew before bed.
We don't feel quite ready to say goodbye to Japan, but tomorrow is a new day and we're sure to wake in Seoul to so many unexpected delights.
