The OmRice

This week me and Ayae went on a little excursion.

We started off with Nara. Remember last week when I said it would all probably go horribly wrong? Well this trip was a testament to this. First we took a train there but missed the station we had to change at, so we had to wait half an hour til the next train, then get one going the other way. Then when the ticket conductor came we had the wrong ticket so had to pay a load more. By the time we got to the train station we were ready to crash out. Luckily our hotel was apparently next to the station.

However as we were traveling on the Kintetsu and not JR line, we arrived at the wrong station and had to get a bus to our hotel.
By the time we got checked in, and back out again we were starving but had to rush a lunch as the Todaji temple we wanted to visit was closing in an hour. On the way it started raining and we realised we`d both left our umbrellas at the hotel.

Eventually we got there and I dunno, maybe because it was a place we had both already been, or because we were tired or whatever but we both thought it was all a bit so-so. Anyway we saw some nice deer lol

Back at the hotel we paid a fortune for our evening meal at the hotel, and again it was average. Then we went to the hotel bath house and both found the water to be too hot, and a bit unpleasant.

Anyway I could go on bitching but its getting a bit boring so Ill get to the positive. The next morning we went to Miwa which is the oldest shrine in Japan. This was a really sweet little town and there was a gorgeous temple there. Ayae had to get some purification ceremony done so I got to view that which was pretty cool although I got a bit nervous when I had to go in front of the `congregation` and do some bowing and clapping thing in the right order.I probably messed it up but no one said anything.

After Miwa we went to Kyoto. Kyotos a really cool city so it was great to go back there. Again we visited the hotels bath house but this was just right. Also their bath house was on the roof outside so there was a nice cold air to go with the extreme heat of the water.

The next morning we took a sightseeing bus to 3 of Kyotos attractions, although there was only one I really wanted to go to. The Eiga Mura. This is basically the film set used in the majority of Japans numerous Samurai TV shows, and many of the older Samurai films. It is a whole village in the style of the Edo period, and there is always something being filmed there. This was an awesome place although we only had 2 and a half hours there. As well as seeing some samurai TV show being filmed, we also got to see a live show showing different filming methods. This was really cool. Although I couldn't understand a lot of what the actors were saying I got to see how they choreograph samurai fight scenes and then watch one which was cool.

After that we went to the costume department and got to dress up in traditional gear and get a picture taken. I will try and get it up on here at some point but basically its me in a samurai get up(obviously!) including a wig with the shaved head thingy, and Ayae as a Japanese princess. Anyway its proper funny trust me!

After the Eiga Mura we went to Nijo castle which is one of Japans oldest castles. We only got an hour here but did a speed sightsee and got to see some really beautiful gardens, as well as all the rooms the emperor of Japan used to live in.

After that we went to the Kinkakuji (Golden Pavillion) which again we had both been to before. Beacause of this we went straight to the tea house. This was lush. We got some green tea and an absoloutely gorgeous Japanese dessert , and enjoyed them in a sweet little garden.

We then headed back to Kyoto station. Before we took the train home to Nagoya though, I had a certain mission to fulfill. On my first trip to Japan, the nicest meal I had, in fact one of the nicest of my life, took place in a certain Omrice restaurant below Kyoto station. Before this I had never tried Omrice, in fact I didn't even know what it was (Its an ommelette stuffed with rice and other stuff by the way). Ever since then I have had omrice many times but never had anything resembling the meal I had that night.
I had always wondered if that restaurant had some sort of an ancient amazing secret recipe for Omrice or if it was just the discovery of a new dish that provided such an awesome culinary experience. I decided to find out.

We found the restaurant and I ordered a slightly different dish from 2 years ago, but Ayae ordered the one I chose last time so I could try it and ensure fairness (Shrimp with Spinach Omrice). I can`t emphasize enough how exciting the wait for this Omrice was. This had been an idea at the back of my mind for 2 years and I never thought Id actually be able to try a `Watashi to Tamago` (`Me and the egg`) Omrice again.

When it came it was pretty damn good, although not as amazing as I remember. I dunno, maybe there was a different Chef or a different recipe 2 years ago. Or maybe there was just something in the air that night, but then it was truly unbelievable. Still, I was very glad I could find out and finally have an answer to the question that has plagued my mind for so long.

After this we went back to Nagoya. Wednesday I had work again although this would be my last day doing the 2 hour trip to Okazaki as the woman I was substituting for would return the next day. This day went fine, although I had 2 1 hour kids classes, which drove me nuts.

So now I can have a bit of a relaxing break as I go back to working part time. This weekend brings with it the Nagoya street Festival which Im thinking will be AWESOME!!!

Anyways more on that soon. Take it easy and cheers for reading. I really appreciate it, especially the comments. They make it feel more like a dialogue, so thanks everyone!

Jack