it's always fun to go to kyoto. the last two times i have gone, i have taken someone there for the first time. i always end up going to the same places. so what i would like to do is go there and see some places i haven't been to yet. kyoto is always a great time and the people there are very friendly to foreigners. a couple of girls who just got back from their stints on JICA (japan's peace corps) gave my dad and me a ride to the next place on tour. i often find the most generous and helpful people in japan are people who have lived overseas themselves. i imagine on one of their long walks in the rain or in the hot sun, they dreamed of someone offering them a ride. and when they come back to japan, they tend not to forget that feeling. i swear if i ever drive down the road again in the rain and i see a hot chic (18-38 years in age) walking on the side of the road, i'll do the right thing and offer her a ride.