April 8, 2021

Close-Up Kyoto

I would like to apologize for my two week absence, I had a lot on my plate in the last two weeks and at the moment, we are back on the strictest lockdown here on the Philippines (We have been on lockdown since March 2020, it's really tiring because it just gets worse and worse). But please do know that I think about all of you and pray for all of you my dear blog friends!

**UPDATE: Thank you very much to my College Best Friend Ralph from Toronto who gave me great advises on design and helped me get this fresh new blog layout! Clean and fresh I think! Do you guys like it?

This week, I would like to go back to one of my most memorable trips to one of my favorite destinations, Kyoto. I know I have featured this city on a past post last year but it's just that this historic place just keeps visiting my thoughts in the past few weeks so why not share those timeless snapshots with all of you.

Let me run down my shots and I'm leaving the stories to you. Can you pick a favorite? What story or feeling did that shot give you?







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Timeless Thursdays is open for anyone who wishes to share old photos or old thoughts that you would like to share as beautiful memories with everyone. This can be from yesterday, a year ago, or something from your grandma's treasure chest.

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31 comments:

  1. Hi Stevenson, hope you're doing well. The first photo, the person on the motor bike, gives me a sense of freedom. The photo with the burger and fries and the one following that, the toilet, made me laugh. Maybe a hidden message there. :) Good to see you again on the blog. Take care and stay safe.

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    1. Oh thank you so so much brother Bill! I did miss blogging and I am so happy to see you again here! Oh thank you so much for your take on those photos and you did give an amazing and funny story to it! Now I checked each and every photo, starting from the burger, then the giant radish then a coke and then the toilet hahaha I do see your story there hahaha

      Take care and be safe and hydrated brother Bill!

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  2. Your blog does indeed have a crisp, clean look to it.

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    1. Thank you very much my friend David! It's a little too bright to my eyes but I really do love it hahaha

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  3. Boa tarde meu querido amigo, parabéns pela matéria. Muita saúde meu querido amigo.

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  4. ugh lockdowns suck literally don't they but what else can you do except roll with it. I think the white of your blog is very clean, that's why I usually stick to that colour too.

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    1. Oh thank you so much dear Amy :) I have always wanted to try this but I tend to be a bit scared. Glad I got courage while my friend is helping me fix some elements at the header and the fonts hahaha

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  5. Great new blog look and wonderful photos and post of Kyoto ~ Be safe ~ be well ~

    Living moment by moment,

    A ShutterBug Explores,
    aka (A Creative Harbor)

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    1. thank you so much dearest Carol! Love to see you again here!

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  6. I had to laugh at the photo of the bathroom Stevenson. That is much bigger than the one I had in my Kyoto hotel room. And oh I miss those wonderful Japanese toilets too. I am with you about visiting Kyoto. I am sorry to hear about your new lock downs. This virus is just not going anywhere, it is? It is really frustrating and scary too. You new blog is looking nice and clean. I like it. I hope life settles down a bit and that your lock down doesn't last too too long. Take care and stay safe. Hugs-Erika

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    1. Oh we feel the same dear Erika! Japanese bathrooms are love and shows how we only need what we need, well I know it's evident in everything they do - minimalism - which I really admire and try my best to practice in the past few years.

      Thank you so much and I love that you like the new look and feel Erika! Please stay safe and stay hydrated!

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  7. You were missed but I so understand how life gets in the way. The new blog look is terrific -- very clean and the photos show so well. I loved seeing Kyoto again. I didn't see nearly so much in my short visit than what you shared here so it is especially fun to see these photos.

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    1. And I missed my dear friend Jeanie as well! I'm really happy you guys like my new look and feel as much as I love it as well! We really all need to go back to kyoto, there's not enough time no matter how long we explore that magical city!

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  8. Yes, dearest Stevenson, it is tiring with all the lockdowns!

    Truth be told... �� I waited for your site to load! Very clean. Is the Bucket List new? Or did I only find it now due to the new look?
    Wow, again I don´t wanna sound like a certain someone, but you should maybe add a 52-b:
    I had the very, most, yummiest Pizza at a little stand (looooong queue) in San Giminaldo/Tuscany.
    One of my customers "complained", he was so disappointed when he took his husband to Italy and they had a pizza in a restaurant. Was made for "Tourist-taste", not really Italian. Those little stands are for Italians and there ... it was to die for! Just the basics but hmmmm....
    #3... I could´ve gone inside. My then-boyfriend spent the LAST money on riding on a "stupid" camel. I regret this even today.
    Wait for #4.5 and 6! YUM!
    #13... be careful with boat there to, loads of people puked as the sea was rough, ewwww, LOL! One woman, cause the toilets were... puked into her hands (don´t as me why). #20 - go for it!! When you master #23... can I get an invitation? #31 sounds great! And 32!
    Take care to tell us about # 39?
    #42... "bleh"!!! LOL
    #55... Ingo showed me - in my old hometown!
    #58... sounds a tad dangerous? 59... at graduation. Not my thing (maybe I´m too simple, just hand me a slice of Pizza, LOL)
    # 62... see my weird entry (Pizza always gets me!) - do! We took an education-ride of two weeks, it was wonderful!
    #68, ohhh... you remember I count you as my Brother, right?! ��
    Can´t stand heights but wish you fun enjoying it all, as the brrrr... cold places.

    Great idea with the bucket list!

    On to your entry of today!
    Maccas, really?! You keep me laughing. And the clear coke. Tastes normal?
    Oh, dear Brother, why do we keep posting pics of toilets?
    The last shot is my fav.

    If I´m not like totally wrong you might´ve missed or at least mentioned another number for your bucket list to us or me, my post today is for you.

    Seesh. I should think about such a list, too. Do you know the wonderful, crazy movie with Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman on this?

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    1. Dearest Iris OMG!!! First of all thank you so so so much for the beautiful and engaging comments you gave on my Bucket list I am so overwhelemed with happiness while reading all of those and I have to say, I would be changing that Pizza Place into the one you said in Tuscany instead of Naples!!! I did have Pizza while I was in Rome it was not very spectacular to be honest, I dont know, I find the crust too thick and has a gummy texture. But the taste was good, though my teeth had a hard time enjoying it.

      Oh dear dear big sis I am so happy and thank you so so much! And please do check my Bucket List again when you read this comment!!!

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    2. Ohhhh, dearest Stevenson! I feel honored on #74 and I say it´ll be a CRABS (BS for BraunSchweig, our number plate beginnings, Craft Beer Braunschweig, a rather nearly light, refreshing beer).

      Yes, the Pizza-dough there is thin, crisp. Tomato-sauce, bits of real mozzarella, basil and good olive oil, that´s it. Beaming, can someone invent this???

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    3. Oh dear Iris!!! CRABS it will be! Oh I am so excited!!! My cousin celebrated Oktoberfest in Munich a couple of years ago and she is a big big big beer lover and she had so much fun!

      OMG!!! I would love to try that!!!

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  9. Loving the new look Stephenson - I too was away for two weeks, so glad I did not miss a post :) How free we are here in New Zealand - the continued lockdowns for you must be wearing on the emotions, never mind the physical restraints.
    Loving your photos, and my favourite is the three vertical plaques - love the colours and textures. The B&W one of the person in the window across the water evokes such a sense of serenity too.
    Stay safe (and sane!)
    Blessings
    Maxine

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    1. Oh I'm so happy you love it dear Maxine! Thank you so much for visiting me back and loved to see your place again as well! You are right, we are all dreaming of New Zealand and Australia lately, I'm sure the whole world is. An amazing combination of good leadership and amazing complying citizens.

      Oh We are the same I love those two as well! That Japanese chef making noodles quietly is such a beautiful moment to watch.

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  10. Your blog background changed! Is it because you have a wordpress blog (because they went over to the new block editor, about 2 weeks ago)? Am still struggling to get a post looking the way I want to!Is something going on with you? Remember, you can always email me:):)
    Am jazzed you're back with Timeless Thursday! My favorite image is the brown detail at the wall with the green branch peeping around the corner, and the last peaceful view.Jesh

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    1. You have always been so nice to me and very caring dearest Jesh and that means so much! At the moment I have to be honest the worries here are not very much helping, we all feel hopeless here in the Philippines, the cases are real bad! Like a lot of acquaintances and friends are starting to die :( Not at the normal rate anymore.

      Oh I loove that photo too! It's some old metallic plate at the edge of the house lot and the street.

      Sending you hugs dearest Jesh!

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  11. Haha, there is never any mistaking McDonalds, but I have never seen a clear Coke before. Having no colour doesn't really seem right to me :)
    I feel for you all in your continued lock-down conditions, it must be so difficult (especially watching loved ones getting ill and maybe dying as well).
    Take care and I hope you and your family all stay safe,
    Mxx

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    1. Oh I have to be honest it felt really weird tasting it dear Margaret! hahaha

      You got that right :( Plus the fact that there seems to be no hope, kills us more on the inside.

      Sending hugs dearest Margaret! Stay safe!

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  12. I do like your new layout. Mine is probably due for some sprucing up too. I love the McDonalds pic! Hope you are doing well.

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    1. Thank you so so much dear Susie! Oh whatever you plan to do to it, sure it will be lovely! Please stay safe :)

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  13. Great new layout, well done :-D

    Good to see you again. I have been busy too and missed a week. Taking me ages to catch up with all the posts! Great photos here :-D

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    1. Dearest Ananka! So glad to see you again and that you liked my photos this week! Have a great week ahead!

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  14. It is really sad to read about the newest lockdowns in the Philippines, and I can imagine how depressing that must feel to so many. Here so many people complain about having to wear masks, but at least have more freedoms. Hopefully pandemic be over at some point because life does need to go forward.

    So nice to see a new blog post, Stevenson, and with a great new layout and blog title as well. This new look is very nice and it shows photos so well. Like so many others, I know that my own blog sorely needs an update. Glad your friend helped you with the new design.

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    1. Thank you so much Beatrice and I am glad that the mask wearing is being followed out there.

      I am pleased to read that you like my new layout! I am also so happy and hyped to write and write :)

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  15. I like the look of your blog - well done :)

    All the best Jan

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