Moments in Kyoto

On my walk yesterday I found myself standing at a stoplight next to a Japanese woman I couldn’t help but notice was beautiful, so I thought I had been presented with a perfect opportunity to try out my Japanese. I presented my best “Ohayou Gozaimasu” causing a confused look followed by a smile.

Her name was Seiko and she just happened to speak English. Said she had lived in LA and SF. Said she was here in Kyoto on business. She asked what brought me to Kyoto and I told her about selling my house and closing my business. She said “Oh, you must be big success guy.” I swear I could hear Peter Cetera’s “Glory of Love” playing in the background. I didn’t have the heart to tell her I wasn’t. She said she had just finished the week of work and was going to see some temples and shrines over the weekend.

Very long pause.

Then the light changed and she went right and I went straight. A missed opportunity to learn more about Japanese culture, but that type of "learning" is not why I came here.

Nonetheless, I will hang on to the beautiful moment.

I’m sure I easily walked 10 miles today after that.