Notes first: as I write this I listen once again to Jack Johnson's newest album 'In Between Dreams' While I'm sure I've talked to many about the genius of this album, I must say it again. Wise lyrics. Uplifting, political, romantic, foot-tapping, and sing-alongish. listen. give it a chance. listen twice. become addicted.
So where was I?
Ahh yes, meeting Kiyoe's family. My friend Brian Hodges called me out on this the other day, saying how I continue to tease people with my Blog. I don't aim to tease (to start a story and then stop before it gets really good) it's just that My internet time is scarce, but hey, it' worth the wait ne?
So Kiyoe took me to this ginormous lava flow. It was rather scary actually, the flow had several sharp edges, and one slip anywhere would serve up a healthy helping of cuts. We walked about 1.5 KM then turned back, since there literally was nothing there, except lava rock and the scattered tree. For me though, it was a nice walk.
Our next trip was a drive to the top of another volcano (once i coordinate my brain to get to the internet cafe and bring my photos, they will be posted). It took quite awhile to get there, and i fell asleep many times, but once we arrived we took a nice hike. This hike took us to the top of the ridge, where we saw sevral crater lakes. I might have said this before, but to understand the beauty here I must explain something... Tokyo itself has 15 million people, the metro area has around 25. This being said, there are some nice outdoors areas within an hour and a half train ride of tokyo, but guess what... they are always crowded. Iwate afforded me the opportunity to see nature and not people, something i hadnt done in a long time.
From this mountain we went to the first (of many) onsen. An onsen is a natural hot spring if you dont remember. This was my first summer time onsen though. Please. Someone tell me why, that in the middle of the summer, people go to hot springs? It baffles my mind. I sweat outside, then i go to an onsen, and sweat ten times more.
Idont know... but it was relaxing.
Drum roll.... then we drove to her temple.
As we drove towards her home, i asked many times how i should introduce myself (most of my contact with new japanese people was in class and informal). We practiced several times. It turns out that i not only had to bow, but kneel... yes.... KNEEL. Ive never even bowed! How in the world do i kneel and bow! AND say all this japanese that i'm not really comfortable with yet?!!! ARGGHHH!!!
practicing helped. By the time we reached her home, we had been practicing for about 30 minutes, and i thought i had it down. 'Hajimemashite. Scott desu. Dozo yoroshiku onegaishimasu (bow here). (this all means, nice to meet you, my name is scott, please find favor with me.
Practicing didnt help. I had worked out the words, but i forgot about intangibles. Kiyoe's father is an old, wise, bald buddhist priest. Meeting such a man, with his feet folded in a meditative way and wearing white robes, threw me for a loop.
My actual meeting went like this. we walked into her home and met her parents in their dining room. I kneeled (clumsily). Hajimamamamamashite.... uhh... scott desu... (bowed here) dozo yoroShiblahbladhuhdgegshiku oneomygosh. I looked like a dumb foreigner stooge. o well, they let me stay.
At Kiyoe's house resides, her mother, father, oldest sister, her husband, and their three kids. The three kids and our crazy exploits, is where our story continues next time.
enjoy the reading, and please come visit!
1 comment:
The next time that kernelson imbibes in alchohol he will realize that his liver is in fact missing. He will immediately recongnize the fact that the meditating buddhist monk removed his liver in a lighting quick move as the Kernelson kneeled in the temple while making an ass out of his pompous american self. As the Kernelson realizes that he has in fact poisened himself with the alchohol and will surely die a slow and agonizing death, a small smile manages to eminate from the mouth of the old monk as he settles into a deep deep mediation somewhere far far away from the bustling westernized city of Tokyo. It seems the old adage, "you only get one chance to make a first impression" orignated in the land of the rising sun.
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