Laura and I had the pleasure of meeting up with my cousin Sam here in Kyoto late in September, and we spent a great day seeing a few of the sights here in the city.

We also got the chance to meet up with Sam's host family, making this one of our first chances to see some of the city by car. It was actually quite amusing to see the difference between trying to fight through the city traffic by car, and the ease with which you can get from one end of the city to the other by transit here.

Our first stop was the Yasaka Shrine, which is the centre, or 'host shrine' of the Gion Festival. The shrine was again in full swing on our visit, as it was the Autumn Festival holiday, and there were a number of ceremonies being held throughout the sprawling shrine.

Following our visit to the shrine, we hit the back streets of Gion, packed with small shops (now mostly touristy, but still quite lovely), temples and shrines. We also saw Maiko, or Geisha-in-training as they strolled down the cobblestone streets. Although we managed to get pictures with them, I missed the real Kodak moment when one of the Maiko was talking on her cell-phone.

The small back streets slowly meandered their way over to Kiyo-Mizu-Dera; a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and widely reputed as Kyoto's most beautiful temple.

Within Kiyo-Mizu, there is a small shrine called the Jishu Shrine, known in English as 'The Cupid of Japan'. Here Sam successfully negotiated her way through the crowds with her eyes closed while walking from one 'Love Stone' to the other, thereby guaranteeing herself success in love (sorry Nancy, but that's the way the shrine works!)

Sam with her host family in front of Kiyo-Mizu Temple.	Sam, Laura, and I standing across from the main platform of Kiyo-Mizu Temple.

After taking our time going through the temple, we had a vegetarian lunch (meals served within temple grounds are generally veggie, as strict Buddhists eat no meat) on a small platform overlooking a stream going through the temple grounds.

All told, we had a really fun day, and it was really cool to see someone from home here in Kyoto. It was also a good excuse to get up off our butts and do some sightseeing again...which some may have noticed we haven't really been doing. It was good to hear firsthand that Sam is having a great time, and better still to be able to provide photographic evidence to certain worried parents that certain people are still alive, well, and having a good time!

	Above, Sam ringing a bell for good fortune at Kyoto's Yasaka Shrine. Above left, two elaborately made-up Maiko in Kyoto's Gion District. Left, a stage area in Yasaka Shrine decorated with festive lanterns.