So I talked about last Sunday already (when we went to go see Takarazuka). I did NOT talk about last Saturday yet. I went to hang out with people and be social! A whole bunch of people--I think there were close to 20 of us in the end, with 3 or 4 of those people being Japanese and the rest being AKP or other exchange students--went to Arashiyama again. I'd been with my host family already, but we went to different places mostly and it was really fun to hang out. Basically, we went for a walk through the temple-heavy area and bamboo forest, then sat by the river to eat lunch. And then we went to Monkey Park. Yes, that's really the name of the place. Yes, there's a reason for the name--the monkeys, they are everywhere! It's at the top of a mountain and takes 500 yen admittance fee (about $6 at current exchange rate, maybe?) and it involves seeing monkeys up close (including baby monkeys playing together and rock-banging musician monkeys) and also some really amazing views of Kyoto from above. It was worth the money for sure, especially when a monkey stole Angel's water bottle and proceeded to sit on it and bite it until it proved inedible. Then it threw the thing down the mountain. We had to go back down the stairs to get it. XD That was my favorite monkey, I think.
Then, most of the big group of people went off somewhere to have other lives, and 7 of us went to eat an expensive but delicious and FUN dinner at the Ninja Restaurant. Also appropriately named. The whole thing starts when you show up at the front gate; a whatever-you-call-the-front-standing-person in a ninja costume checks your reservation, then summons another ninja to lead you through the caves to your table. And I do mean caves; the whole thing is set up to look underground-ish, like you're actually in a series of rock caves. Your table is in your own private little room (it's not uncommon in Japanese restaurants to use screens and barriers to create private spaces, but this was actually it's own little cave!). We got a course meal, which started with shuriken crackers and foie gras spread stuff, and continued through everything from pork (delicious) to chirashi zushi (raw fish with rice and mixed stuff, also delicious) to essentially deep-fried cheese with tomato and basil (also delicious) to black sesame ice cream for dessert (you should be seeing a theme in these little asides). Then, while we were eating dessert, another ninja shows up to do some 'ninjutsu' (aka magic tricks) for us! He was very good at the sleight of hand thing. Mom, remember that time at the spy restaurant that you signed a card and the guy did tricks with it? He did that, and I now have a signed card too as a souvenir. He even had a little plastic envelope for it! Then, to leave, you have to escape out through the caves again. It was a lot of fun, they did the theme really well without it going cheesy, and the food was absolutely delicious and extremely plentiful.
This weekend will be exciting as well. We have what is essentially a school trip: the AKP program is going on a tour of Hyogo prefecture, including making our own soba somewhere for lunch tomorrow, staying at Kinosaki tomorrow night (ONSEN), and going to Amanohashi and then Kobe on Saturday before getting home late Saturday night. It should be a lot of fun, and I will bring camera. (This is honestly about all I know about this trip XD Will give more details when I get back!)
Finally: Pictures!
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