Kurama

It was my first day off when it wasn't raining! I decided to go to Kagome, a small mountain town near Kyoto. I was beginning to miss nature, and a short hike in the mountains seemed quite nice. And indeed it was - Mount Kurama is a very important place in Japan. Here young hero Ushiwakamaru was trained by Tengu (weird creatures with enormous noses, picture below), Kurama temple is a well-known place since the Heian period, and the guy who invented Reiki lived here in the beginning of the 20th century (I dedicate that last thing to my future mother-in-law, who has creeped me out numerous times with her talks about Reiki).The momiji (maple leaves) are not yet at their best, but I managed to get a few glimpses of really beautiful trees. I guess I have to wait about two more weeks to see the famous moyo (red-colored leaves), and than I will go to Arashiyama and get killed by wild tourists.
And for the sake of comic relief, I also post a picture of me after the matcha incident. I was sifting a container of tea for tomorrow's chakai (Of witch, by the way, I'm terrified of. Just a bunch of very important people in the most expensive hotel in Kyoto and ME serving them tea. I just hope I can survive.) when it blew up in my face. How's that for a good luck charm. I spent a lot of time cleaning the office, my kimono, myself and the carpet. I pray to whatever kami who is willing to listen that nothing like that will happen tomorrow...