More of Kyoto

Hi folks,
Kyoto is certainly full of grand temples and shrines, but today I had the good fortune to stumble across something, quite by accident, which I think ranks amongst the most pleasing and suprising things I've seen here so far.

While exploring the Nanzen-ji temple area (which is HUGE), I followed a small path up into the hills past one of the sub-temples because, literally, I was interested to see where it went. The path became steeper as it went up into the hills around Kyoto, and then after maybe 5 mins steep walk it suddenly opened out into a forest clearing.

In the clearing was this wonderful little shrine, completely on its own and with no-one around, the only noise being that of a tiny waterfall behind it (complete with its own little incense-burning shrine). I noticed another little tiny path up to the right of that, so I took that up and it led to the tiniest little Buddhist shrine/altar you will ever see, actually cut into the rock in the middle of the forest. I have no idea why it was there, but it was probably more impressive than any of the huge temples I've seen around Kyoto (as great as they are).

It's difficult to describe the scene so I'll try to find some way of uploading photos off my camera at some point, but you'll have to hang on for that.

Oh, on a slightly different theme I bought a few of you some little bits and pieces today (as promised). I'll probably end up shipping them home from here since I don't want to carry the damn things around for the next 2 1/2 months, but you still won't get them until I get back (sorry).

Anyway, I should run. Feel free to email me - I'll try to read and respond to them all (at least for the time being).

James