BRIAN MARTIN MUSIC NEWS (Chapter 26)

Chapter 26 – Sunday 13th Monday 14th July 2008

We went into the ‘old section’ of Kyoto off the main drag along the river lots of little cafes and restaurants serving all manner of different dishes. Little cobbled streets and tiny walkways lit up at night with ‘dook dook fountains’ I call them that- they are the bamboo ones that fill up with water and when they drop down they go “DOOK!” I think they were originally designed to keep the ducks away or something. (“Can you correct me on that one if I am telling a porky pie, Jack??”) Not that there would be ducks in the middle of the city! Ducks??? I think I did make that up!!

We took lots of photos but not many came out as it is dark and hard to capture the atmosphere. Oh well, you will just have to come here and see for yourselves. Just wonderful with lots of little surprises around every corner. Walking around these wonderful little streets and walkways is fascinating every little café has its own ‘entrance’ with the special ‘jappy halfway curtains’ (“What are they called, Jack?”) and manicured baby gardens with ponds and subtle lighting. So inviting you just want to walk down their little paved walkway and enter through the special entrance. I want to take it all home. Looks like we have some landscaping to do when we get home I am getting the “ I want a dook dook fountain”, bug!
We found a cute little café but the ‘water front’ tables were all taken. We didn’t mind as we sat at the counter with the toothless chef cooking in front of us wearing his traditional ‘Yukata’ and wooden platform thongs clunking backwards and forwards. We ordered tempura squid and chicken Yummy!!! We also downed a few ‘sakes and plum wines’ our favourites!!!

On our walk home we found more ‘air-conditioned streets’ and very nifty looking shops but as it was getting late they were shut. “Probably a good thing”, said Brian. We walked passed the Kyoto Museum, this huge building surrounded by shops it was like it just popped out and we weren’t expecting it in such an odd place. Anyway stuck on its side was an ‘outdoor bar’ with this tiny little counter and pretty lights on the tables all white and modern looking. They were playing the title track from the ‘Bona Vista Social Club’ so we were drawn in to have another drink. There were only a few other people there and we rested our weary feet enjoying the music. The track finished and we were anticipating the next track and it just repeated itself and then it did it again!!!! We had to laugh. The barman must REALLY like THAT song!!!! But we had to leave cos we were getting ‘over Bona Visa’d.’
We were really feeling a bit stuffed after all our running around and had a bit of a sleep in. We didn’t get all the touristy things done that we wanted to but figured that if we are here once a week we can visit more good things as there is so much to see.

Sunday saw us heading back to Osaka for an afternoon concert at the Osaka Symphony Hall. We had been specially invited by ‘the main conductor man’ (Mr Nishioka-san) from the Osaka Choral Festival that we met a few weeks ago. Makiko met us there as our interpreter and we entered this huge building. We had the best seats in the house and enjoyed the most wonderful concert. (sorry no photos allowed). 100 strong choir singing traditional and also contemporary songs in amazing harmonies, honouring those killed during World War 2. It was very moving. The second half saw the stage filled with adults and children in traditional costumes and drums and characters jumping around and this cute little kid who was supposed to clap and do a little dance but was too intrigued with one of the characters. Very sweet and the audience laughed and clapped. We really were inspired by this wonderful man and his capacity to create musical stories and co ordinate so many people so easily.
We met him, at his request, after the show and we hope to do some collaborative work with him. We are not sure what but feel a connection to him.
We headed off for dinner and decided on ‘Taco yucky’ (“That’s right isn’t it Jack?”) Brian had missed out on this dish as I got to eat it while he was away in Tokyo and it is one of his favourites. So he felt very good after dinner and enjoyed the hot little squishy balls, very much. Heading home the train was packed, whats new!!! “It is past 10.30pm folks why aren’t you in bed???”

We were really pleased to be ‘home’. Funny how us humans need a familiar place that we can nest in a feel safe. We were sure happy to wash off the dust of the day and crawl into our beds………lots of walking in hot weather and then standing on trains can take it out of a girl I can tell you!!!
Well goodnight see you tomorrow for another instalment of “MARTINSSSS INNNNNNNN JAPANNNNN!”