sukachan
During the day, I stayed indoors and couldn't go out for lunch for a few days. I wanted to enjoy the spring atmosphere of the old capital at dinner, but as expected in a tourist area, the shuttering of shops started around 7:30 pm. Finally, I found a noodle shop that was open and thought, "Phew!" but it closed right in front of me. Walking through the shuttered streets of Kyoto, I was about to give up and go back to have convenience store food and take a bath and sleep when I saw a shop with lights on. It was a popular Nepalese restaurant near the famous Nishiki Market, where there used to be long lines when I visited a few years ago. I peeked inside the shop, expecting to be told that they were closing, but instead, I was greeted with a kind smile and asked, "Last order at 8 pm, closing at 8:30, is that okay?" It was like a ray of hope! The warm and cozy interior of the shop, reminiscent of the crowded shared seating from my last visit, was now empty. I quickly decided on a menu item, even though there was nothing fast to eat. Despite my haste, the staff reassured me, "Take your time, it's okay." Before I knew it, it was already 8:30, and as I was about to leave halfway through my meal, the staff said, "It's okay, take your time, take your time. It's totally fine!" When I tried to pay, they suggested, "How about we pack it for takeout?" and kindly prepared a cute package for me as a souvenir. Feeling like a traveler who narrowly escaped in a foreign land, I returned to my accommodation with a warm and fuzzy feeling. I will definitely come back and take my time next time! Thank you!