Japan: 2 weeks to contemplate a fantasy
1:27 AM
It's been a dream of mine to live all my Japan fantasies ever since I've gotten into the culture. I never thought I would actually get to do it!!! Years learning the language on my own and through college, I've learned so much I could possibly ask for. But now I'm living the dream; fantasy Japan land.
I say fantasy Japan land because I'm not really living real japanese life. I'm not living on my own, involved in the workplace, or having to deal with neighbors and social demands. Instead I get to travel by bus with my friends, splurge at random 711's, and enjoy views like this
It's been three days already here, and not having wifi all the time has delayed the first post, so I'll give a quick summary!
This the first shrine in kyoto we went to: Kiyomizu-dera. It's one that everyone needs to have on their bucketlist- forgiener or non.
Crowds of middle schoolers and high schoolers came to this shrine to speak to forgieners and learn about the history! I happened to be stopped by these girls here to help them learn some english.
Fast forwarding to some rock gardens! These gardens are dry, and the way the ground is maintained often tells a story with a significant meaning behind them! Some were really interesting to learn about, others were not so hot and i wondered about the maitnence of rocks and sand.
my obligation to enter a japanese arcade!! I couldn't win any crane games, turns out theyre just as much of a rip off as American crane games. To be fair though, Japan had way cooler prizes than a lazy-eyed felt bugs bunny plush from six flags.
I did win this from a gachapon machine though :) animal crossing will be with me forever.
These photos can not do justice to the beauty I saw these past few days. After posting the fun touristy stuff I really want to post about the contemplative side of this trip.
Not only do we all get to experience japan together, but we all as a group get to practice meditation with real buddhist monks and learn the ethics of buddhist meditation in a more natural setting. Leaving a stress enducing college to come and be contemplative with buddhist monks in japan is certainly one way to relieve stress and reflect.
Tonight were staying at the Myoshinji Temple. This temple is more like a "experience japanese monk life" in a comfortable and hotel-like setting. We all went to town for dinner and my friends and I adventured to find some kaiten sushi!
Legit the best 5$ meal anyone can ever have. I can't wait to go again. I reccomend anyone going to japan for the first time to experience the future: conveyer belt sushi.
Tomorrow is a surprise! I'm not quite sure what were doing but I'm sure it'll be an adventure.
Love,
Mana
1 comments
Aaaah, what a lovely experience so far. Oh man.
ReplyDeleteI'm really glad you're enjoying yourself.
And the monks, oh man! Can't wait to read more.