"Momiji Hunting"

Vast sky

vast earth

autumn passes, too.

-Kobayashi Issa

Momiji-gari,

otherwise known as

leaf hunting.

Into northern Kyoto

we ventured,

climbing Kurama-Yama,

because the mountains' leaves change fastest.

Stopping at a traditional hotel,

we ate wonders.

Before my roast beef,

I braved a fish head.

{Another on my list of "eaten strange foods".}

Followed by mango sherbet

with pomegranate.

I always feel spirited away

when scaling the steps

of a Japanese shrine.

Reds, golds, greens, purples.

My camera only caught a breath

of the stunning beauty of the momiji.

{Music via Cecile Corbel}

"Heads or Tails?"

"What're the two things they tell you are healthiest to eat? Chicken and fish. You know what you should do? Combine them... eat a penguin." -Dave Attell

Fantastic food encounters as of late.

I had no idea how important
drinking parties in Japan are,
how the people bond
as they drink themselves under the table
holding hands
and singing karaoke.
{Not that I've actually witnessed that.}

My first time eating a fish fin.
It tasted like a chip.
{Not a British french fry.}

I was too chicken (ha ha) to eat the cheek, though.

Or the eyeball.

Just... no, please.

Lovely goma-dango balls.

By the way,
though I am consuming all these
rich, cultural foods,
I am remembering my health as well.

Just today, I started learning the hula
via YouTube.
And I bought some running shoes
and use them.
I'm so glad Bryn isn't shallow.
... I don't think I could give up Japanese bakeries for good.

{Music via Joe Hisaishi}

"I Have a Job for You, Greenpeace"

Instead of more gelato,

I ate Free Willy today.

*le gasp*

Everything in the restaurant was made by angels,

but even angels couldn't chase away the image

of what I was eating

out of my head.

Optimistically,

I can mark it down on the list of absurd meats I've consumed.

{Along with ostrich, crocodile, and buffalo.}

And seriously,

no cake shoppes, Utah??

Do you comprehend the MONEY you would make off my patronization??!

And finally,

no meal is complete without Engrish.

{It's the dessert's dessert.}

"Lovely Garden"

wants to raise a houseplant with you.

Say, "yes", for HAPPY days.