We are definitely enjoying our day 3 excursion to Kyoto it took us four hours to get here but I think it was worth it. The pictures are from the afternoon tour of you guessed it more shrines and temples there are about 1600 in Kyoto alone but what I am beginning to admire more is the attention paid to efficiency and timeliness in every aspect of Japanese culture and STRICT adherence to the rules but this topic requires a separate post.
When we arrived to check in for the tour we were told that it begins at 1:40 but the bus would arrive at 1:30 to begin boarding and right as the clock turned to 1:30 the bus arrived and boarding began I know because I was in the bathroom and came out at 1:32 with Kathy looking at me like we’re the only black people in Kyoto and now we’re late boarding bus.
As the tour began the guide explained to everyone how important it was to meet back at the bus on time at each stop or “The bus will probably leave you…yes I think so”.
At each stop she held up a sign displaying the time we needed to all meet back and at each stop everyone was on that bus because we all knew she wasn’t kidding. We knew she wasn’t kidding because of our other experiences in Japan like riding the train it arrives and departs on time every time or the bus same thing if you are one minute late that bus is gone it’s amazing.
I found out that if someone jumps in front of the train to commit suicide the family has to pay restitution to the train company for causing it to be late…wow!!! Another example, at the hotel we had trouble with our wi-fi connection so we spoke to someone at the front desk and they said they would send someone to our room to help now to get to our room we have to catch the elevator to the seventh floor walk through a short path to the next building walk up another two flights and past the zen garden.
When we arrive K takes off her shoes walks in the bathroom and I’m taking of my second shoe and knock knock two people not one but two people are there to help us with our issue. I have dozens of examples like these this level of consideration is admirable to me it’s definitely something I will take back and try to add to my daily life. Check out more pictures from tomorrows Morning tour and the ride back to Yokosuka.
Garlands Abroad 