Kyoto to Nanao

The sun rose hot this morning, promising a hot, sweaty walk up the long hill to Kiyomizu Temple (and it didn't disapppoint!).  After a good breakfast, we cleaned up our rooms and checked out by 8:00 AM.  A 45-minute bus ride took us across town - through the Gion District where we saw geisha and maiko (geisha-in-training) getting into a taxi - to Kiyomizu Temple.  For a Sunday morning it was surprisingly uncrowded, allowing us to walk with relative ease about the temple. Lots of photos, and lots of walking.  Wilting from the hot, humid heat, we stopped for cold sodas and shaved ice, then once refreshed, did some serious souvenir hunting as we walked back down the hill.

Another bus to Kyoto Station (wonderfully air-conditioned), box lunches, then a 3 1/2 hr train ride to Nanao where we met our partners and host families.  The reunion was a happy one.