#train fail

Day 18 : Kyoto to Himeji Waking up around 9, we got ready to head out. Talisa to Ariashiyama (I am quite jealous that I didn't manage to fit that in) and myself to Himeji. I had heard that the monthly fleamarket was in town at Toji Temple, so my luggage still in a locker I headed there to see what I could find. It was rammed!! I found my yucata a cute matching belt.... And spent 6,000 yen on a screen print I couldn't resist. #artisteinnit Back at Kyoto station around 1pm I grabbed my luggage and ran for my train, and missed it. The next one in half an hour, I waited, checking Google to check this was the right train choice (or wasn't). The stopping 'express' service to Himeji takes over 2 and a half hours I discover. In fairness the route is along the seaside and there is a beautiful view out of the window When I arrive in Himeji I discover I could have got a Shinkansen in under and hour if I'd looked at train times properly. Oops. By the time I arrived it was close to 4pm, everything has final entry at 4 or 4,30 so I headed straight to my hotel to dump my stuff. If I thought the hotel in Nikko was ratchet, it hasn't got shit on this place. Himeji Green Sakamoto hotel was a hellish timewarp. Rewind 20 years to when this place opened it was probably reasonable. The man at reception looked as old as time itself with papery, spotted skin. In reception a woman and her child were sitting sullenly waiting for.... Something?! The whole place stank of smoke and when I got to my room I discovered it was still being 'cleaned' by a woman who looked more like a proprietor than a cleaner in her high heeled courts and skirt. Tough times are clearly here. The air con blasted out lukewarm smokey air, the shower walls were scummy, the fittings featuring a smattering of black mould. The cover on the bed was flecked with white stains, the sheet below was, spotless, but featured a few stray black hairs. Through the sheet you can see the matress cover. I pull back the sheet to reveal a plethora of bodily fluids stained into the matress protector. But it's 5,000yen per night. What was I expecting? I was only a 7 min walk from the castle so I went to explore the grounds, open 24 hours. The castle is beautiful even from a distance, the white walls and slanted rooves mounted on a hill. You can see the castle from the main station located directly infront of the castle at the end of one long straight road. The front part of the grounds understandably full of tourists, exploring a little further in the grounds behind the castle I found quieter gardens, and randomly an outdoor amphitheatre, where a band were playing. Which, to be honest, I found quite heart warming, I sat and listened while planning my trains for the next day more accurately. Himeji seemed like a really fun, busy little city and I wish I had been there for more time to explore it fully, but I did see more homelessness here than I have done anywhere on my trip so far. Bumming around Himeji city looking for dinner, I instead found a pair of Nike Air Max for £40, so dinner was a microwave job from the 7/11. I really miss cooking. The dish was a curried tofu, turns out this also had mince in it. Why has everything got mince on it?? You know what this tofu dish could do with? MEAT. THANKS JAPAN. Back at my horrible hotel I checked for signs of bed bugs - all good. The room door had slipped on its hinges rendering it unlockable and the latch had been removed. LIFE HACK If the door won't lock and the door has slipped, jam the metal part of a coat hanger into the hinge side gap, underneath the door and slide it along towards the lock side until it either a) lifts the door enough for you to function the lock or b) jams the door shut so if anyone tries to get in, they can't. Voilà, that feeling of safety you always wanted. After jamming the door shut and eating my mince and tofu it was time for bed. I lay strategically avoiding the stains. This is not going to be a good review on TripAdvisor. Jemima x

(via https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G4TyZHpmTGc)

I can´t believe he did it, wait a second you stupid asshole! LOL

I enjoyed my cheat meal, and my day as a whole. Usually I'd never post my cheat days out of shame but I feel like I deserve a day off. I'll post pics of my purchases too :) They're so lovely. I think me and dad are going for some lunch today, but its a nice place where I can order healthy options. Can't wait. 

Lolz. Thunderstorm on the train!