Wednesday, June 25, 2008

The Monthly Flea Market in front of KIA

Kitano Tenmangu Shrine, right in front of KIA, was built to honor Michizane Sugawara and is surrounded by nearly 50 different kinds of over 2,000 plum trees planted for Sugawara, who loved the blossoms. On the 25th of every month, the flea market is held and various vendors show up in and around the shrine. Since COD Summer program ends on 7/24, this is the only day on which students can enjoy eating and shopping as well as traditional games here! The weather was cooperating with us though students have to struggle with packed buses to return to host families! Another Tenmangu Shrine is located in Osaka and becomes the central shrine during the "Tenjin Festival (July 24-25, every year)," a week after Kyoto Gion Festival on 7/17. There are still a few students who can be placed a upper level class beginning tomorrow.
Because Kyoto city hosts "foreign ministers conference among 8 nations" next two days (6/26-27), police officers and riot police members are here and there for maintaining law and order now.

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