Sat, 30 Aug '08 - Gion and a traditional food

Almost at random we stumble into a typical garden in old Gion. Through the garden our guide leads us to wood and paper sliding doors. In. Shoes off. Up three steps. Turn left and along the corridor to a 3.5 tatami mat private dinging room (we have learned room sizes are measured in mats).

This place is the real deal, not truly ancient but truly Gion locals only. In the room down the corridor six older gentlemen have their lunch. I hope our appearance hasn't spoilt their vibe. They go quiet as I pass. 

The top of the doorway is at my shoulder height. John's shoulders are wider than the hallway corridor. We sit on cushions on the floor at the low table and order Asahi and a traditional lunch. We are of course given a food etiquette lesson. After the delicious dinner of Don Buri and Tempura, I recline a little, desperate to use JMT as a prop. If this were a loony tunes cartoon he'd have turned into a comfy cushion right about now. Instead I listen to our guide talk about the seasons, the fabrication of the building and how he intends to take us deep into the oldest part of old Kyoto.