I had always wanted to visit the Golden Pavilion or the Kinkaku-ji since I first studied Japanese in high school. The thought of a temple covered in gold painted a spectacular image in my head. It was always in magazines and books. In tourist brochures. It was an icon! When I finally had the chance to see it for myself, it was in the worst weather imaginable. It poured down with rain and the effort to trudge along mud and water gloomed my mood.
On our way we got lost a couple of times because our Japanese guide/friend
who I began to suspect isn’t from Kyoto, or Japanese at all, kept forgetting we
wanted to visit the Temple – the “gold one” (‘kin’ means gold). Understandably, at the time she wasn't in her right mind. She had just come back to Japan after attending a friend’s
wedding in Hawai'i. About seven years ago she had told me that in two years she planned
to get married. She’s five years overdue and currently single.
The fact that it
was raining and our poor Japanese friend yearning for marriage would have made an amazing music video. Only, the conditions didn't make for a sentimental moment. The rain
that poured down on us was heavy and each rain drop plummeted like cannon balls. It was like being assaulted... by water. It didn’t help that when we sought shelter underneath a closed shop
there were mosquitoes trying to devour our flesh. Yeah, try feeling sentimental with all of that happening.
When we finally arrived we had to make a quick bathroom
stop. For future travellers please be aware that these toilets are squat toilets. Also, make a habit of carrying wet wipes and tissues. After we passed
through the admission gates, I didn’t expect to find that only a few metres walk and
around a corner would be the Golden Pavilion. Just one look made me forget the
down pour. Thankfully the rain passed and within minutes we were free to wander
about taking photographs.
The temple shone surprisingly bright under such dark weather. How much more will the temple shine on an actual sunny day? It was simply so breath-taking and photogenic I couldn't stop admiring it. When we got closer and it loomed over our heads, I understood even more just how majestic it was.
Afterwards we followed a trail which led us back outside. The trail was a pleasant and relaxing stroll. There were fountains, streams, statues and bamboo forests. There was also a stall that sold charms...
Our Japanese friend bought each of us a charm. There were all sorts of charms, for health, age, studying, driving, success and even one to find love. She strongly believed that I should get married soon and gave me a love charm (even though I don't see myself married for a handful more years).
I walked with her while she brooded about getting married (btw – she’s five years older than the rest of us girls). It was her down cast mood that compelled me to return to the charms stall and bought her two charms of her own: one for love and another one for luck. Charms only work if you combine them I told her (like I knew it all). You'll be married in no time. You can thank me later.
Our Japanese friend bought each of us a charm. There were all sorts of charms, for health, age, studying, driving, success and even one to find love. She strongly believed that I should get married soon and gave me a love charm (even though I don't see myself married for a handful more years).
I walked with her while she brooded about getting married (btw – she’s five years older than the rest of us girls). It was her down cast mood that compelled me to return to the charms stall and bought her two charms of her own: one for love and another one for luck. Charms only work if you combine them I told her (like I knew it all). You'll be married in no time. You can thank me later.
 |
| ¥100 Fortune Machines |
The end of the trail led to a souvenir store, a shrine and
some machines where you can purchase 100 Yen fortunes. We each bought one and we all turned out to have excellent fortunes. Well, except for our Japanese friend. Hilariously, on top of a dreary fortune, hers said her love life is doomed until old age. Only then will she finally find someone who she can settle with. It was completely and utterly contrary to what she had forever hoped for and thus our trip at the Kinkaku-ji ended and we headed out to find some comfort
food for her.
To rub salt on her wound, I thanked her for the charm she gave me and that I'll try my best to get married before her. After I returned to New
Zealand she sent me a message on Facebook thanking me for both the Luck and
Love charms I gave her. Apparently three days after I returned to New Zealand,
a stunningly gorgeous Japanese man – the captain of her mountain biking team
had asked her out.
Peaces x :)
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