Japan07/28/2013
0 Comments
The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched - they must be felt with the heart.
Helen Keller
My journey to the East took me to Japan, a country of beauty and mystery. Walks through beautiful gardens included visits to shrines, many of which have existed for over 1000 years of documented history. Purification rituals and homage to ancestors showcased some of the Japanese traditions. At one shrine, a statue of Buddha was so large, we walked inside of it. These shrines function much as our church does as evidenced by a young Japanese couple posed for wedding photos at the shrine before their wedding.
Pagodas and temples sit surrounded by beautiful gardens. One temple we visited had monkeys. Many had places where you purified you hands, face, and mouth with water before going to pray to the gods. We were cautioned to only wash hands, though many of the Japanese rinsed their mouths.
After visiting the volcano at Mt. Fuji, we rode the bullet train back to Toyko. The three hour bus ride was reduced to a thirty minute train ride. At Mt. Fuji, we were encouraged to eat black eggs. These have been boiled in hot sulfuric mineral water which turns the eggshell black (though the inside still looks and tastes like a normal boiled egg). You are supposed to receive a extra seven years of life for each egg you eat. But, if you eat more than 5, you die (at least that is what they say). I did not eat any, but instead opted for black ice cream (vanilla, though it was the color of lava).
My favorite meals included Japanese buckwheat noodles and shrimp tempura. Our most lavish meal consisted of eight courses of some delicious and some very strange foods....some of which I tried, but could not eat. Mashed okra....well do I need to say any more?
While travelling the subway system and visiting the shopping areas, we were surrounded by thousands of young people. We visited the anime area of Tokyo....very interesting shopping. Some of the best shopping is at the shrines where vendors set up stalls and sell everything from cheap souvenirs to nice kimonos.
The Japanese are friendly people. My heart aches for them as only 1% are Christian. Most practice Buddhism and Shintoism. We saw no signs of Christianity until the last day when we finally saw a few crosses in a jewelry store. The people mainly wear white shirts and black pants (skirts for the women). The women favor big shoes....high heels with thick platform type soles. Few colors are worn during working hours as most everyone strives for uniformity.
My time in Japan was short, which was probably a good thing as it is even more humid than Houston!
As always, it is good to be home. Thank you God for TEXAS! I'll take Texas any day....even the heat and humidity!
0 Comments
The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched - they must be felt with the heart.
Helen Keller
My journey to the East took me to Japan, a country of beauty and mystery. Walks through beautiful gardens included visits to shrines, many of which have existed for over 1000 years of documented history. Purification rituals and homage to ancestors showcased some of the Japanese traditions. At one shrine, a statue of Buddha was so large, we walked inside of it. These shrines function much as our church does as evidenced by a young Japanese couple posed for wedding photos at the shrine before their wedding.
Pagodas and temples sit surrounded by beautiful gardens. One temple we visited had monkeys. Many had places where you purified you hands, face, and mouth with water before going to pray to the gods. We were cautioned to only wash hands, though many of the Japanese rinsed their mouths.
After visiting the volcano at Mt. Fuji, we rode the bullet train back to Toyko. The three hour bus ride was reduced to a thirty minute train ride. At Mt. Fuji, we were encouraged to eat black eggs. These have been boiled in hot sulfuric mineral water which turns the eggshell black (though the inside still looks and tastes like a normal boiled egg). You are supposed to receive a extra seven years of life for each egg you eat. But, if you eat more than 5, you die (at least that is what they say). I did not eat any, but instead opted for black ice cream (vanilla, though it was the color of lava).
My favorite meals included Japanese buckwheat noodles and shrimp tempura. Our most lavish meal consisted of eight courses of some delicious and some very strange foods....some of which I tried, but could not eat. Mashed okra....well do I need to say any more?
While travelling the subway system and visiting the shopping areas, we were surrounded by thousands of young people. We visited the anime area of Tokyo....very interesting shopping. Some of the best shopping is at the shrines where vendors set up stalls and sell everything from cheap souvenirs to nice kimonos.
The Japanese are friendly people. My heart aches for them as only 1% are Christian. Most practice Buddhism and Shintoism. We saw no signs of Christianity until the last day when we finally saw a few crosses in a jewelry store. The people mainly wear white shirts and black pants (skirts for the women). The women favor big shoes....high heels with thick platform type soles. Few colors are worn during working hours as most everyone strives for uniformity.
My time in Japan was short, which was probably a good thing as it is even more humid than Houston!
As always, it is good to be home. Thank you God for TEXAS! I'll take Texas any day....even the heat and humidity!