2011: Umbrella

April 25, 2011
Kyoto

KYOTO ADVENTURE

April 25, the date of my favorite Flea Market, Tenjin-san, at the Kitano Shrine.  The layout is very convenient in 2 long parallel streets, one on the street bordering the shrine and one inside the grounds plus a few open intersections and a right turn at the very northern end.  Weather report predicts sunshine for an enjoyable day.

Up early, futon stored away.
Breakfast later at a favorite market spot.
Itinerant monks chanting in the street.
An omen?  Good or bad?

Out the door to dark clouds!  No umbrella.
Doubt hangs heavy.  No, plow on!  Sun is coming.
Short wait.  Board bus.  Rain starts.
Quick, new strategy.  Exit at Bus Terminal.
Check convenience shop for cheap umbrella.
Too pricey. New strategy.  Rain still pouring.
Check on street.  None.

Welcoming coffee shop beckons. 
Really nice interior.  Settle in.
Order ‘morning set’: 2 slices of thick toast,
Marge and jams, small salad, yogurt with fruit sauce,
America coffee.  No umbrella.  Did bring current novel.
Water for Elephants at a critical juncture. 
Jacob is poised to slit August’s throat.
Breakfast stretched to an hour.

Sunshine outside.  Pack up.  Pay bill.
Back to Bus Terminal.  Board bus.
Exit and walk to market via back streets.
Rain again.  Huge drops plop onto the street and me.
Duck under nearest overhang and wait it out.
Emerge in a few minutes and on to market quarters.
Plastic and tarps cover most goods.  Ceramics left exposed.
No umbrellas for sale.  Throngs milling about.
Dark clouds overhead.  New strategy.  Decide to peal off.
Back streets to nearest bus.  Repeat morning travels.
Aboard bus, sun shines.  Partly cloudy.  Now home.
Sun shines brightly on inner garden.

Sounds of chanting monks echo in my mind. NEVER leave with out an umbrella.