A kushiage restaurant in Kyoto.

We at least ended the day on a good note. The whole group went out to dinner at a kushiage restaurant. Kushiage is a Japanese-style deep-fried kabob. I got an assortment of skewers, including things like beef, shrimp, quail egg, eggplant and fish paste. Some of it sounds weird, but I swear it was absolutely delicious. And if I didn’t have to try some Japanese steak before… The beef was AMAZING. It was so soft and so tasty. I have to have steak before I go home. Absolutely have to.

After dinner, we went out for dessert, as well, and I had a delicious chocolate parfait (and a bite of Al’s strawberry tart—also very good!). Once we got back to the hotel, I was ready for bed. I did a video chat with my family, and I crashed shortly thereafter.

Today, we’re hopping a train to Nara, where we’ll be visiting Nara Park. I get to feed the Nara Deer! I’m ready! Cute furry things get me all excited, you know. I’ll try to get some video of the little darlings while I’m out. If not, there will definitely be plenty of pictures. Assuming I don’t get mauled by a deer in the process. I hear they get a little aggressive when food gets involved…