Spicy Latte to Overpacked Suitcase on My Last Day in Kyoto

Last day in Kyoto.

We are in the (currently) most hip chain coffee shop in Kyoto, Blue Bottle Kyoto Kiyamachi Cafe. We came here instead of queuing at the Lelabo coffeeshop across the road. I am having sichuan pepper latte. It slaps, peeps!

I am contemplating buying a set of Akoya pearl earrings I saw in a shop earlier, while Fafa is already pressuring me to decide on dinner—but it’s only 4:43 pm. Why are we even thinking about dinner? I’m still full from the onigiri I had an hour ago, which followed the cake and matcha we had two hours ago, which followed the grilled cod we had for lunch.

Having bought the traveller’s notebook and brought it here with it, does it mean I’ll write more? More often? More immediately? That’s the goal, isn’t it? A small goal, but the one that matters.

So yes, the last few hours in Kyoto.

You know, I’ve always dreamed of living here. This is the third time I’ve visited, and I still feel the same quiet pull toward it. Perhaps unrelated, I’ve realised that I love travelling in winter, even though it’s also when I struggle the most with seasonal depression. I don’t know why. Maybe everything feels more beautiful. Quieter. More serene. As if the world has softened just enough for you to notice it.

I am writing this now while pretending not to notice Fafa smiling and taking my photo.

We’re leaving for Kinosaki Onsen tomorrow. I’m semi-dreading the packing, especially with the growing pile of souvenirs and the very limited space in my bag. Small logistics that somehow grow larger with every step toward the end of a journey.

I let Fafa read the draft of this entry. He thanked me for sharing my mind with a mispronounced, “Arigatō gozaimaaaacces.”

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