We arrived in Kyoto yesterday. Before getting to the city, I have one photo to share. Luke took a picture of his bento lunch–the small Joseph Cornell boxes filled with small, delicious food items. Kids take them on field trips and they are the perfect travel food. The quality is, of course, excellent and the box makes for an easy, delightful, and way-cool eating experience:
Kyoto is very different from Tokyo which was largely destroyed during WWII and has been built as a modern city. Kyoto has 1800 temples and a blend of old and new buildings. The feel of the city is different as well, not as high tech, fast-paced, or commercial; in fact, I have yet to see a Starbucks. Strangely, the most popular western business seems to be 7-11’s which dot the city. There are also areas which still have the pre-automobile layout, a bit like Venice although easier to follow. But you can get a feel for ancient Japan at times which seems so far from the modern power of Tokyo.
Our hosts took us out for a multi-course Japanese meal at a special club for invited members. The grounds and the restaurant were set in traditional Japanese design and we had our own room. The meal took two hours and we went through nine courses. In addition to sushi, various soups, and sashimi, we also had several exotic Iron-chef like dishes including a jellied ball (with carrot fish inside) placed in a gentle peanut (or sesame) sauce. Throughout the meal we drank heavily including the smoothest Reishu (a cold sake) I have ever had–it almost didn’t taste alcoholic. The kids were very ambitious and tried everything. I’m glad they have a fearless attitude towards food–they’ll connect so much better to other cultures (people) and be able to enjoy life that much more as a result. Seriously, food is an art that expresses a way of thinking and living just like music. How we contextualize the very thing that sustains us says a great deal about who we are. I’ve also noticed how appreciative the Japanese (like the Italians and I’d imagine most people) are when they see you–and your kids!–enjoying their food. There are few better ways to say thanks and pay a complement. Apparently I’m particularly adventurous, I’ve been told that I am the rare caucasian that actually likes uni and natto. Uni is sea-urchin sushi and natto is, well, rotten beans possessing stringy consistency that makes the hot mozzarella strands that pull off your pizza quite uneventful.
Update: Lily says the 7-11 stores aren’t 7-11’s. They have a different name that looks like “7-11.”
