2009: 1440 Minutes

KYOTO: 24 Hours in the Life
1440 minutes (thanks to “Rent”)
Sunday, October 4.  First Sunday
Antique market at Toji Temple with the
Iconic five storied pagoda symbol of the City.
Early start means manageable crowd.  Usual
Dealers. One small purchase for special friends.
Highlight always at Toji is the “breakfast set” at the
On-grounds café (kisaten). Perfect thick toast, HB egg,
Salad and coffee served on a unique small wooden tray.
Everything fits, has its place.  Always exactly the same, ever
Delicious.  Usual table by the window overlooking the rectangular
Pond with aged koi, flowing water, bronze turtle on a rock. Shimmer
On the water projected/reflected onto three stories of overhang as a dance.
Home early for essential mundane tasks: tidy house, first laundry (fine weather),
Weeding overgrown garden occupied by vines of great strength and length, grasses,
Weeds (any plant out of place).  Shopping for the next few days.  Time to read the
Saturday Tribune. Afternoon on the riverbank with the current novel, “Every-
Thing is Illuminated” (more or less but laugh-out-loud hilarious).  Local folk
Out for walks — solo, with kids or dogs, biking, jogging.  Dinner featured
My favorite sashimi:  quick seared filet of katsuo (bonito) thin sliced
Over a bed of daikon threads, scallions, lettuce with a vinegared
Dressing.  Superb.  Missed Sunday night English movie. Online
With email and other “contacts with the outside world”.
Monday, October 5.  Early river walk to Station for
Herald Trib.  Overcast sky.  Same daily walk but
Focus on green and the grasses.  Many grasses
In fall splendor — 6” to 60” all be-plumed.
Squirrel-tailed, hair array, wind swept
Down stream types.  In tints, many
Tints — greens, grays, raspberry.
Delightful.  Kudzu entwining
All.  Yes, water over the
Barrages, but clear
Water drapery.
Gently falling.
1440 mins.
In Kyoto.