First, I have to say that the location of the double-quote character on Japanese keyboards confounds me. Secondly, the ease of use of the afforementioned Freespots eludes me entirely. Local time is 13:55 on Sunday the 18th and this is my first time back on the internet since leaving my house Monday at 4:00am (no email-checking for me, no-sir!).

That being said, the fair city of Kyoto is doing quite well, thank you very much. I write this from the ninth floor of the Isetan department store, directly above Kyoto Station. Pictures will be forthcoming, but I neglected to bring an SD-card reader, so there will be no photographic updates from here. The temples and shrine have been lovely, but by far the highlights of our trip have been Nijo Castle, the gardens at the Ginkakuji (Silver Pavilion), and the Kyudo Tournament at Sanjusangen-Do. All are fabulous in their own way, but a quick warning: English tourism guides are wrong; the Kyudo Tournament is not on the 15th of January every year. This time it was on the 18th. There, I’ve said my peace.