Kyoto and Kiyomizudera

Kyoto was nice. Rain was in the forecast but it didn't. It was cloudy. We went to see Kiyomizudera 清水寺　(pure water temple). We got a little lost on the way once we got to Kyoto, but eventually we got a cab there. It was crowded with lots of other tourists. You'd have thought it was a weekend.

We did some shopping and we saw the temple as well. It was very relaxing not to have to worry about the kids or cater to their needs. We also went to see the 紅葉　(red leaves). I wouldn't say the autumn leaves are as spectacular as the northeast in the states but it was pretty.

It was also nice not having our tour guides around, Ryoko and Sonoe. With all those other distracting elements not being there (the guides and the kids) I found I was much more relaxed and didn't freak when my wife wanted to spend some money on getting gifts for friends back home. I even participated and got a yukata for myself. Brenda helped pick it out.