Geisha's, Gion and Temples!

Today we endured the most horrific rain and thunderstorms I have ever experienced!It was ridiculous...however we were not prepared to not make the most of this amazing opportunity to be in Kyoto so armed with our bright yellow unbrellas, wet socks and socked up to the knees we went temple hopping! Below is just by our hostel but I loved the whole colourful thing!!!Look closely and you can see one of my much adored vending machines!!!

We first headed to Nishi Hongan-Ji and Higashi Hongan-Ji which were both equally beautiful, surrounded by a moat scattered with ornate bridges and mulit-coloured carp!These places are huge and although a lot of our views were warped with the rain I fell in love with them all the same!

This evening we made our pilgrimage to Gion which is the main Geisha district in Kyoto and it was everything I had expected.....a teeny quiet little street, wooden fronted houses and the occasional little shrine.

Next thing I saw the very sight I had only even dreamed about.....a young Geisha girl clattering in her wooden shoes in full dress robes, make up and hair ornaments!!!It was amazing!!!within seconds she scurried out of one door and into the next!!!It totally made my day, had I left Japan without seeing a Geisha in the flesh I would have been dissapointed!!!!By the time the camera was out she was gone but that memory will stay in my mind forever!Then minutes later the same thing happened!!!So much for people saying I wouldnt get to see a Geisha!!!Im so happy!!!It was the most incredible sight! We then went on for a stroll the the Pontocho area before finding a teeny tiny traditional tea room where we enjoyed a lovely cup of tea as we watched the owner spend an hour chopping a single onion into miniscule pieces for an entire hour!Today was simply amazing!