Omar Samad

The train from Tokyo was a snap, 2h 45min, on a bullet train, I wasnt sure if it was a bullet train when I stepped on board, but I remember looking out the window and was just like ‘omg thats fast’. So getting to Kyoto is where I switched up to the Nara train line, and it was another 60min to get to Nara, I picked up a map from the booth I saw over on the counter, and was on my way to Yoan Cafe. So already I was sayin to myself how much of a fool I was for packing so heavy, but regardless of that I came up with a great idea of attaching the bag to my backpack with a rope, so i can just pull it! and omg made the walk so much better. So I was happy! so happy, and just walking up one of the main streets on the way, just wow, I couldnt wipe the smile off my face at all now! I was greeted with warm smiles and friendly faces all the way to the cafe! There was an old couple that were pointing out to my bag and laughing I turned around and laughed with them, and was waved them bye. The walk up these streets and neighbourhood was sensory overload.. this is what Japan was all about, this is exactly what I wanted to see and feel .. im so lucky to be here right now, but at the same time it feels so right and part of my destiny. The whole jounrey ive been on, from feeling the confidence in being enlightened to myself, I still feel there is so much more depth, and I am begining to rip my face off again, the lust for personal possessions is drifting furter away, ive already given half of the crap I brought with me, and I will do so even more so till im satisfied.

So a couple wrong turns here and there, and next thing I noticed I was there! Walking into the cafe I was greeted by one of the most beautifull woman ive ever seen and her parents, they kindly invited me inside their lovely cafe, we sat for a few minutes, and I decided to walk around for a few minutes before the sun went down. I cant wait for the chance to see these places during the day, the temples here.. are just unbelivable, im delaying the post for this so I can put the pictures btw.
and I only walked around 2 blocks!!

I came back to the cafe shorlty after I set out, and Mayumi san suggested I goto the Japanese Baths and directed me right to it. At first I was a little surprised to see a woman right at the front with all the people around, but I think its just a little more open here the nudity in some regards. but regardless it was an experience, you start off by cleaning yourself with soap thoroughly in bucket baths of hot water, and then theres a series of 4 tubs, warm with bubbles is the first tub, and secondly is an electric shock one, which I was only in there for a few min, very intersting sensation!! and then it got hotter as it goes on, and then there is a cold tub which was clutch! In there I met 2 American doods 1 of them was actually staying with me at the cafe and the other was a fellow traveller, who had plans to join us for the travellers meal tonite at the Yoan Cafe. We cleaned up and made our way back to home.

So we were upstairs just chatting and also met one of the other travellers staying here, Nala a very lovely girl from Finland who has been studying Japanese language in Osaka and been here a couple of days. ‘can come down stairs now’ we heard from the bottom floor in a beautifull voice. What an amazing site,(i was in shock else I would have taken a picture) of the table arrangement, just wow, tonite we were going to be eating our own hand rolled sushi, there was a platter of assorted fish, all fresh, and also live octopus!!! (which was my favourite!!) and a big bowl of rice, and some mushrooms with mountain potatoe, and a very unique spinach salad ive never tasted before.

Ikadaimass !! I said out and we started, Mayumi San showed us how easy it was to roll one up, and it was!! I think all those times of rollin ls backz0rz kinda helped a bit but it was amazing!! my first 2 sucked, but i was doing them perfect for the next 100 rolls hehe wow this was honestly the best meal ive ever had in my life! everything so fresh, and nice the tea to go with was just perfect aswell. there was Salmon, Tuna, Crab, Octopus, and a couple other local fishes here I forget the names of. More importantly besides the food was the company, what an amazing opportunity to meet some of most intersting and beautifull people in the world! we talked and talked and ate and ate, seated at the floor level, what an experience. its been real pleasure to be here so far and its just getting started!! Soon after dinner a good friend of Mayumi san came over to visit, omg what a kool guy!! he reminded me of Gai sensei!! very funny and pleasent to talk he sat with us for some time.

So im just like chilling with Dave now on our beds and we’ll see what gets up to 2morrow not sure if our plans align but the day has yet to be seen.