A blissful excuse to fly halfway across the globe

The photographs above are of Saihoji, the Moss Garden, also known to most Japanese as Kokedera. It was this place, above all others, that most made me want to come to Kyoto. The garden was created in 1338 by Muso Kokushi, a distinguished Zen priest. More than 120 varieties of moss grow here, and the garden is best viewed in May and June (a little luck and good timing!). Because hoards of tourists started trampling the moss in recent years, you may now visit only by applying a month or two in advance. Once at the temple, you are asked to pay a $30 entrance fee, as well as copy sutras and listen to a brief taisho (speech) by the resident roshi. The whole temple experience took about one hour, and then we were told "please see the garden by yourselves". It was all well worth it - I can't imagine a more beautiful place.

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Of Shopping and Singing Crabs

As we were walking in a huge Kyoto shopping arcade we fell victim to the intoxicating siren song of a giant plastic crab. In an atempt to lure customers many restaurants in Kyoto employ the talents of singing plastic food all of whom have childlike voices and big round eyes. I'll post more Japanese singing entrees as I find them.

Summer Down Under

While we're freezing here in NYC it's summer in Australia and the folks at Aussie Bum are turning up the heat even higher. So check out their website and think warm thoughts.

Stroke Stroke Stroke

During one of our many google searches we came across this picture of the 1950 Boston College varsity crew. Presented it here as a public service. Click the picture for a better look.

Angels and Others

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