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Published: January 8th 2007
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Engrish
What can I say? Diassapointment. Blessing. There are those of you that will be massively dissapointed with me. I did not get to a Japanese new years religious ceremony. I did not experience the deep religious feeling I was led to believe I would. I was blessed just the same. I believe that I am an extremely lucky traveller, having been invited to Buddhist blessing ceremony in Thailand, given discounts to capsule hotels, invited into peoples homes in Ecuador, Canada and the United States and shown around those places at the expense of my host and new friend. It is wonderful to meet people that are proud of their country and want to share it with others - I am amazed at the kindness of complete strangers, I can only dream of being able to return the favour some day. New Years eve was another of those occaisions beyond anything I ever expected. A drinking buddy of Lance's got us tickets to attend the New Years Eve Pride (http://www.pridefc.com/). The tickets were worth about $170.00 Australian. I know what it is to want show off your country but that generosity was beyond anything I imagined. The fella that got the tickets for us went along
Mountain biking
Lance in a hole. The drop offs are steep and scary. Lucky for him this place wasn't so steep and the trees broke his fall. as well. He spoke no English and I speak no Japanese so I was extremely embarassed to not be able to than him adequately. Oda-san is more than welcome to come and stay at my house anytime - just like all those who have shown me unexpected kindness.
Religion.
I believe in innate spirituality. I have never been a fan of the organised religions. They always seemed interested in money and power more than anything else. I can remember seeing dirt poor beggars in nothing but rags outside a church filled with gold in Quito (Ecuador). The temples here seem simpler, somehow less offensive and I thought more spiritually pure. Turns out there is little difference. In the temple parking lots (not the public ones) I have seen current model Aston Martins and the like. At Gotokuji there was souvenir cat dolls for sale. New Years good luck arrows are for sale at many temples. The Christian tradition has donation boxes and collection plates. Here part of prayer is throwing a coin into a box first. Conveniently you are supposed to throw 5 or 50 yen coins (roughly equivalent to 5 and 50 cents) because those coins have a
Fujisan
Mount Fuji as seen from the TMG building. The entire plain below is filled by greater Tokyo, the ocean and mountains being the borders. Buildings as far as the eye can see. This is what I expected all of Japan to be like. hole in the middle and symbolise the continuation (or wheel) of life. There may be more than one place for prayer at every temple. If a prayer lasts 30 seconds are you getting your moneys worth? A population of 130 million people making several prayers a week - how do get in on this caper? These blokes make a motza. What ever happened to vows of poverty?
Future?
I am not sure that I would want to live here. It is a beautiful and different country that has a lot going for it, there is much I do not know of it and consequently much I could learn. The language is a barrier but not an insurmountable one. There is much of the intriguing local culture to learn. I know that I could find work here and live a comfortable life but I do not feel the desire to spend great amounts of time here. I believe that since my heart would not be in it that I would only end up wasting time here. I enjoy travel and there are many things I still wish to see in my time. I will follow my heart to the end
of the earth. I appreciate all that I have seen of Japan and all that I will soon see; I definately appreciate the generosity of the people that have made my time here so enjoyable but I will not return to work here. It is back to Australia and a return to study for me - then I will eventually have to think about getting serious and getting a job!
Weather. .
From what I understand the weather over the Christmas period was pretty crazy in Australia. It was similar here. Christmas day was a little chilly, Boxing day was pouring rain with the tail end of a Typhoon passing through at night which was great thing because the wind took all the cloud and following day a gorgeous 18 degree (celcius) sky greeted me. Allowing me to go into the TMG building and see Mt Fuji in all its splendour. Mt Fuji is some hill, normally there are big hills in a mountain range but Fuji stands so far above the surrounding hills that they look like nothing more than little bumps from a distance. I could also see as far as Yokohama and clearly make out the
Guardian
You have all seen the cute little white cat with its paw raised. Well it comes from this temple - Gotokuji. Supposedly the the cat brings luck - but on the day I was there the police were there investigating a break in, some luck. Landmark Tower down there. Awesome view.
Mountain Biking
I went and flogged myself on the trails around Kamakura with Lance and Matt again. We rode about 40 kilometres. No big deal you say? Sure 40 kilometres on flat fround is easy. I reckon that I walked half that distance and that it was all up hill with at least half of my walking being done carrying the bike because it was too steep to push! It was still a heap of fun and I would gladly do it all again. Some of the trails around here are crazy! If you would like a little insight into what the trails are really like check out http://www.mountainbikebill.com/ and go to the international trails section on the left hand side of the page, then go to Japan and then to Zushi City (that is part of the trail we did). Great fun. I took a few spills and my muscles are still hurting three days later - but it was worth it. I stilll find it amazing that so close to urban development there can be so much natural beauty, it is nothing for an Australian, but I still did not expect
it here in Japan.
Hints and Tips - because you asked me for them.
- The New Year is a bad time to travel to Japan. Many Museums and hostels are closed for over a week as this is the real annual holiday time.
- The Tokyo Metropolitan Government (TMG) Building in Shinjuku has to go down as one of the cheapskate (budget concious, if you prefer) backpackers best deals. You travel to the 45th floor of the building to the observatory level where you can see all of Tokyo and even Mt Fuji on a clear day. The best part - the grand total cost is nothing!
Kinky.
I like this country. There is a prefecture, like a state, called Kinki. Cool. There is a band from there called the Kinki Kids. What do they get up to in their recreation time?
I am off around the place for about the next 20 days so my next blog will probably be a while coming - I haven't fallen off the face of the planet. I am just enjoying myself.
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Sally Rose
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Loving the Blogs
Dear Warwick Enjoy the next 20days. Thanks for all your openess in your blogs I feel like I've been getting a free ticket in to that dark horse brain of yours. Glad to hear you're coming back to uni, well done, X Sal.