Miyako Odori

Miyako Odori is "The Dance of the Capital" and occurs every spring during the month of April in the old capital of Kyoto. The first Miyako Odori took place in 1872 and has been a popular event for locals and visitors ever since.

During our trip to Japan last spring, I desperately wanted to see some real geisha (geiko) and not just catch a glimpse of one at night on the streets of Gion. We were so lucky that our visit coincided with that year's Miyako Odori.

Miyako Odori is a dance and musical performance put on by the maiko and geiko of Gion Kobu. Maiko are apprentice geiko, who are still training to become full-fledged geiko.

Since 1873 the performance has been held in the same beautiful theatre, the Gion Kobu Kaburen-jo Theatre.

Prior to the performance, we explored the gardens of the theatre and looked at some displays before we were very hurriedly directed into the tea ceremony.

The whole affair felt and was very rushed. A geiko made tea at the front of the room and was assisted by a maiko.

During the ceremony, workers placed a cup of tea and red bean sweet in front of us for our enjoyment.  The sweet arrived on a hand-painted plate that was ours to keep as a souvenir.

I was so busy taking pictures that I had to scarf down both my tea and sweet while people were rushing us to leave the room. I wished we had more time to soak everything in, but I thought it was still worth it to attend the tea ceremony.

We were then escorted to a holding area where we waited until the theatre was open for seating. In this area, there was a souvenir stand, restrooms and a sitting area.

Finally, it was time for the show. Our seats were lovely, in the center on the first floor and not too far back.

As many things in Japanese culture, this performance focused somewhat on seasonality. Many scenes depicted the changing of seasons. Since it was cherry blossom season, this also played heavily into the setting and staging of the dances. 

I couldn't follow everything that was going on, but the dances were mesmerizing. I was amazed by the grace and elegance of their movements.

Source: Miyako Odori

Source: Miyako Odori

The 2015 Miyako Odori takes places April 1 to 30, 2015 - four times daily (12:30, 2:00, 3:30 and 4:50). The performance lasts one hour.

Ticket prices vary:

¥4,800 Special Class ticket - reserved seating on the first floor or front area of the second floor or in a designated tatami mat area on the second floor balcony. Ticket also includes tea ceremony with souvenir plate. 

¥4,200 First Class ticket -  Reserved seating on the second floor or in a designated tatami mat area on the second floor balcony.

¥2,500 Second Class ticket - Non-reserved bench seats on the third floor

Tickets may be reserved online.

*Information accurate on date of publication* 

Ski Vacation in Pagosa Springs (Colorado)

Skiing was not the only thing to happen on our trip to Colorado!

We rented a three-bedroom house in Pagosa Springs for the duration of our trip. At its height, the house was occupied by six people and two dogs. It was a zoo, but a fun one! The house had gorgeous views of the San Juan Mountains from the kitchen window and backyard.

After a full day of skiing, there was nothing more pleasant than returning to the house and hopping into the hot tub! Definitely something I could get used to!

I, of course, took advantage of the hot tub multiple times. The last time with a nice cold beer!

The remainder of our evenings were typically spent enjoying a home-cooked meal. We took turns cooking for the group. I made tacos with my sister-in-law, Raisin Bread and our friend made this wonderful linguine with shrimp and veggies, and, finally, another sets of friends made chili with corn bread! They were all such delicious and hearty meals. It pays to have friends who can cook! Yum.

After dinner, we often built a fire in the fireplace and played games. Both of the games we played were new to me. One was called Legendary, which features Marvel characters, and the other Dixit.

Setting up the Legendary board

On one of my off days from skiing, I paid a visit to the spa! One of my Christmas presents from Raisin Bread was a gift certificate to All About You Day Spa, a local Pagosa business. I was able to get the full head to toe treatment. I started off with a 60 minute Swedish massage, followed by a body brushing and sugar scrub. Afterwards I hit the shower and had a 50 minute European facial. Finally, I ended my day of pampering with a pedicure. Thanks, honey!

Although we did not have time to really explore the town of Pagosa Springs, we did sample some of the restaurants. After my spa day, Raisin Bread and one of our ski friends picked me up and we had lunch at Kip's Grill and Cantina. I was pleasantly surprised by how similar southern Colorado and New Mexican cuisines are. Green chiles everywhere!

I opted for the fish tacos and added avocado on for good measure. It sure hit the spot.

This was our first time taking Gus with us on vacation and he wasn't as much of a handful as I would have expected for an 8 month old goldendoodle puppy. He was mostly his usual self. 

He absolutely loved playing in the snow! It was so fun watching him leap around the snow, some of which went up to his belly and bury his head in the snow too. He is such a goofball!

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Ski Vacation to Wolf Creek Ski Area (Colorado)

I went on my first ever ski vacation (skication?) last month! Raisin Bread, my sister-in-law, some friends and I spent five days in southwest Colorado to enjoy the snow.

Source: Wolf Creek Ski Area

We visited Wolf Creek Ski Area and stayed in nearby Pagosa Springs. Wolf Creek is said to be one of the best kept secrets in Colorado because not only is it off the beaten ski path but it also gets the most annual snowfall in Colorado, at an average of 430 inches. It is a 3.5 hour drive from Albuquerque or a 4.5 hour drive from Denver. There is also no on-resort lodging, so out-of-towners must stay in the nearby towns of Pagosa Springs or South Fork. The remoteness added with the lack of amenities is probably what keeps the crowds away, which is the very reason why I absolutely enjoyed our time there!

I am very much new to skiing. Before this trip, I had been on skis a total of four times. My husband, on the other hand, has been skiing probably since he could walk. For Christmas, Raisin Bread bought me a pair of skis and ski boots so that I could be fully equipped now that we live in close proximity to good ski areas.

Ready for vacation!

All of my previous ski experiences were day trips, so I was not sure how I would do with multiple days of skiing. I wound up hitting the mountain for two days, taking two days off and skiing again our final day.

I was, by far, the least experienced skiier, but I was lucky to have some really kind traveling companions who were generous enough to stay with me and give me some pointers. 

Since it was only my second time skiing this season, I started off on the beginner slopes and eventually became comfortable enough to mostly stick to the intermediate slopes. 

Our first two days of skiing were in the middle of the week, and we weren't sharing the mountain with a ton of other people. No lines for the lifts and hardly anyone on the runs at the same time as us!

On the night of our first ski day, it dumped 8 inches of fresh snow. Since I learned to ski on the East Coast, I have never skied in powder before and I was sure not to miss it. It made for such a different experience. It felt like I was floating on marshmallows. 

I got a little carried away and actually got my skis caught in the powder, not once, but twice. At least falling and getting up is easier in the powder. 

On our last day of skiing, I really fell and hurt my knee on a run that I had already done at least five times. The difference was it was much much more crowded and the snow was no longer nice and pristine. Whoops. I sat most of the afternoon off. 

Another thing I liked about Wolf Creek was there was a lodge at the top of one of the lifts. That meant I could sit out while my ski companions continued to do their thing and then when I felt like it, I could just pop back into my skis and re-join then!

Plus, who doesn't want a mid-afternoon hot chocolate with marshmallows break?

Although it would have been nice to be at a resort that was ski-in, ski-out, I think the lack of crowds and the nice conditions was a fair trade-off. I will definitely be skiing at Wolf Creek again, and I absolutely can't wait to!

Kyoto - Spring Illuminations

During cherry blossom season, several locations around Kyoto stay open at night and the buildings and trees are illuminated for all to enjoy.

We had a few hours before nightfall, so we spent some time walking around the Higashiyama District of eastern Kyoto.

We found a nice spot in Maruyama Park and people-watched. It was quite amusing watching some of the cherry blossom revelers, who couldn't seem to hold their liquor and nearly fell into the pond. 

We started making our way to our first illumination site: Kiyomizudera. The path leading to the temple is along a steep street that is lined with traditional wooden buildings that serve as shops and restaurants. 

It is hard to tell but the street made for quite a strenuous walk it was on such an incline! 

We finally arrived at the temple and the walk was worth it. Just look at these views!

Kiyomizudera means "Pure Water Temple" and derives its name from the Otowa Waterfall, which is located on this site. 

The temple is also known for its large wooden stage that is accessible from the temple's main hall. It is from here that we and other visitors were able to get such marvelous photos of the spring blooms. 

The waterfall is located at the base of the main hall, so we ventured down there to drink from its streams, which is supposed to be good luck!

Next we headed to Kodai-ji, another temple participating in the spring illumination. While Kiyomizudera is a vast complex, Kodai-ji is smaller in scale, but its interiors are decorated in beautiful accents. Sadly, photos were not allowed of the inside. 

The temple also features Zen gardens which surround the temple buildings and, of course, were lit up for the occasion.

There were even some multimedia art displays being projected onto the huge gravel rock garden.

My favorite part of Kodai-ji was the bamboo grove in the back. The illumination made for a pleasant stroll through the grove.

When ended our spring illumination viewing at one of the largest cherry blossom trees in Japan, which is located near Maruyama Park.