Afternoon at the (old) Capitol

So, I started off this day with brave intentions to see the Aoi Matsuri (Hollyhock Festival)--a giant parade where people dress up in Heian clothing (my favorite period of Japanese history) and go do a ritual festival associated with hollyhock leaves which are supposed to provide protection against lightning, earthquakes and provide easy childbirth, to name a few.

Well, Jaimes and I were all pumped up for it, only to emerge shocked adn disappointed when we learned it had been rescheduled due to rain.  

FESTIVAL FAILURE.

So we decided to wander around Kyoto instead.

We had a moment of great insight with the local sparrows as we fed them crunched crackers.

And then it fed it to its baby

HOW CUTE.

And some hawks as well. How many can you count?

Then we wandered for a while in Gion-Shijo, went to an arcade, did purikura, and then headed home.