On a sunny Monday morning I leave my paradise for Kyoto, just to crash 3 hours later badly on a motorway near Otsu on which I should not have cycled on at all. I was fast, I was dreaming, when my front wheel went into a deep cut drain thing. Lost control over the bike, and that was it. Blood on the street, glasses broken. I'm very happy I can still walk. Sat down on the side of the street, and next thing I can remember is an Emergency service car. I get my had stitched and x-rayed in the hospital. They tell me I can leave directly afterwards, thanks god the head is, beside the cuts, in good shape. Outside, there is a Japanese guy smoking. Speaks good English. Offers me to look after my bicycle, then to help me to get new glasses. The bike is well, his wife brings us back to their house. From there we go hunting glasses, which I get just 15 minutes after I decided on the frame. Incredible service! Afterwards, we visit some important shrine in Otsu. I can stay in his house, sort my thoughts. Than we have diner together. Incredibly helpful people. Doumo arigatou gozaimasu.
Next morning, I watch the bruises on the right leg, stretching from the knee up to the ass, looking like a weird tattoo. Never seen something like that. I'm happy I can still walk. So I head of Kyoto after breakfast with my kind hosts, just 20 kilometers. But they hurt...
Stay almost one week in Kyoto in Youth hostels, meeting funny travelers. Since I have been here already twice before, I focus on some parts I have not seen before. Kurama san, Arashiyama and Hieji san for their temples and shrines, and a day trip by train to Himeji for the biggest castle in Japan. Actually, great days, great experiences... Just small tours on the bike...
