I live in the Kinki Region (It's true!)

Didn't go to the Hallowe'en party, but did go to Kyoto this weekend. Together, Veronica and I saw the glorious GOLDEN TEMPLE, also known as Kinkakuji temple, also known as The Most Touristy Temple In Kyoto. And there's a good reason for that, which is: it's really beautiful.

The Golden Temple (Kinkakuji)
It's covered with gold paint or gold leaf and it really looks amazing, sitting out on stilts that support it right over a pond. The landscaping of the garden was really beautiful too, and we got to walk through on a mini tour along the nicely guided path (there are low wooden fences to guide us). The forest was a very strange sort of man-made wildness that was eery in it's controlled, measured randomness. A contradiction, but we both wanted to step over the little barrier and explore. Except that it was raining. It started raining almost as soon as we got to the temple, after a confusing bus ride and much map-consulting at Kyoto train station. I must tell you about Kyoto train station some time. So our tour was rained upon, as were our noggins. Veronica had her waterproof gore-tex space-age coat on, because she's into space-age materials, and I had my recycled plastic pop bottle fleece coat, which is not waterproof. I hooded it over my head like a babushka and took pictures trying to keep my camera dry. I have yet to see how they turned out. Actually I got a preview on the little screen and they look pretty good.

All in all it was a nice experience, despite much complaining about rain. Then we went to see Resident Evil 2, called Biohazard 2 in Japan. It was scary as all get out and I cringed like a little girl and jumped out of my seat when the zombies attacked. The first one was much better though. However, the second one is filmed entirely in Toronto so it was interesting to see the streets of the city that I know and love. But they kept calling the Don Valley "Raven's Gate Valley" and some school, maybe Loretto Abbey in the Annex, was called "Raven's Gate School" which it so obviously wasn't. And then I was sad it was filmed in Toronto. It was so-so. So this critic says: "go see it when it comes out in the repertory theatres, or rent the video".

And now I'm drinking a can of Kirin Beer and eating a bento which has nasty fish tempura but good other stuff. I shall soon watch one of three movies that I rented. That's kind of pathetic, I know.