Tail-wind made us get to SFO in 9 hours!

Some enjoyed final shopping at Kyoto station area and Kansai International Airport area. The lucky tail-wind brought us back to the United States in 9 hours but Chicago snowy/windy weather stopped us at San Francisco much longer than scheduled. Two students became a volunteer to give up their seats for desperately needy passengers since United gave "$300 voucher to stay over night in SFO, $600 value United money voucher, and First class seating to Chicago tomorrow!" GTS could have done that if no class will be tomorrow, but..... We all arrived in Chicago at 9pm safely!

Osaka Sakura wasn't quite ready for us but....

The final day of the trip was to go to Osaka Castle hoping that we might see more blooming Sakura, yet wasn't quite ready for us. We did see some Sakura blooming "wrong" in a sense! Trip members gathered at night to enjoy final group dinner. GTS as well as trip members are NOT ready to go back to Chicago but the class begins on Monday! I have to prepare for it as soon as getting back to Chicago at 8pm on Sunday!

Deer welcomed us but not the weather!

It was cold and wet!!! Everyone enjoyed feeding many deer in Nara Park, Todai-ji temple, and other complex buildings but the sun only showed up occasionally though some Sakura were beautifully blooming. Upon returning to Kyoto after lunch, we went straight to Nishijin Textile center to hopefully catch the final Kimono show which we made it. Few Westerners among tons of Chinese tourists enjoyed almost final shopping. GTS is really really hoping to get a nice weather for OSAKA visit tomorrow!

Not warming UP but a bit blooming on!

Chilly day continued today and we did further chilling area of Daikaku-ji temple where everyone including little Ema tried brush writing of Buddhist scripture of Han-nya-shin-gyo (般若心経) in a warmest room 'Godai-do.' We left the temple for Nonomiya-shrine through the Sagano walking bamboo trail while we lost two members on our way. During the lunch time, the lost two contacted me and joined the group luckily. Then Hankyu train took us back to the center of the city where we visited Maruyama-park with 50% Sakura blooming and Kodai-ji temple and Ryozen Kannon (huge mercy Buddha statue outside). Night was enjoyed by the traditional performances show!

Alley to the Nijo Castle and Heian Shrine Garden!

From the hotel, we took the unique route of alleys to the Nijo Castle where some Sakura began blooming. Then city subway took us from the castle to the Heian Jingu Shrine whose garden is extravagant! The handicraft center was just next to the Heian Jingu Shrine and everyone seemed to contribute to Japan's economy for about 3 hours during which GTS took a quick trip to pick up 'bullet Train' tickets for few members to travel to Tokyo tomorrow as deviation. GTS will make a long round trip to Yamaguchi tomorrow to attend the forum! The group will be taken care of a teacher of Kyoto International Academy and will go to Arashiyama area where Sakura can be in full bloom! Yes, the Flea market at Kitano Tenmangu Shrine won't be missed tomorrow though the weather might not help us!

New Silver Pavilion uncovered and The Rock Garden covered!

Night rain has passed but chilling weather came in! Arriving the Golden Pavilion before its opening made our group experience chilling wind. Beautiful golden structure couldn't quite warm us up until walking down to the Rock Garden as a little exercise. The Rock Garden was seen in the scaffolding to make us meditate in a strange manner. Everyone had a lunch at a cafeteria of Ritsumeikan University where GTS 'studied' years ago. The express city bus took us to the right in front of the hospital where GTS was born in early 60's. The philosopher's trail led us to the Silver Pavilion which has just uncovered a few days ago after re-roofing. The new Japanese cypress roof looked like a Gold leaves and reminds us of the Golden Pavilion. Along the philosopher's trail some bought a nice hot coffee and enjoyed it while getting to the bus stop from which the direct bus to the hotel left!

1001 Mercy Buddha Statues & Phoenix welcomed us!

90% precipitation forecast didn't quite rain until the end of the today's schedule, which was really nice!! The packed city bus took us to "Sanjusangen-do （三十三間堂）" where 1001 'Buddha for Mercy" statues welcomed us! Several kinds of cherry blossoms around the main building has just begun blooming to say hello to our group. Then Keihan train took us to the Phoenix Pavilion and Ema/GTS enjoyed Tea-Udon Noodles (which Ema says "Midori no Udon") as a lunch. Sakura there hasn't begun active yet but we could easily imagine what will happen in a few days! The end of the trip was our 'youngster terminal, Shijo Kawaramachi' where most trip members were dismissed for shopping, drinking, eating, strolling, etc. Tomorrow, one of Kyoto International Academy teachers will join our group to be introduced so that SHE can take care of my absence on Wednesday when GTS attends the forum in Yamaguchi Prefectural University some 400 miles away from Kyoto!