So I was just going to write about my day to day life here in plum village, but that didn’t seem to go the way I wanted it to. I think just writing about my details leaves out much of what I wanted to accomplish and what I got out of being here. We had lots of down time or time where we had “mindful cleaning” because the sisters needed to be somewhere else getting ready for the winter retreat. Plum Village is divided into three hamlets, lower, upper, and new. I lived in Lower hamlet for my two weeks, else [View Full Entry]

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I wake up really early in Bordeaux, Around 2:30am, no longer tired so I play around on the internet. Around 7am I figure its late enough to go for a walk and see the city. I walk outside to find that it’s still dark, but I wonder anyways. I’ m super hungry but found only the café I ate at yesterday open. I walked right by it hoping to experience something new. After awhile of walking I now start to get tired. I turn around to go back to my room. I also realized that I’m still hungry and outside of [View Full Entry]

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I made it on my plane just fine, everything hit me while in Detroit, when I was connecting with my plane to Paris. Thankfully I slept the entire time!! It was an eight hour flight and I landed in Paris at 11am. So I wanted to make sure I got some good sleep. The plane wasn't that full (the one to Tokyo was PACKED so i didn't know what to expect!). No one sat next to me, so most of the time, I layed across the two seats with my pillow and slept. Neck a little sore, but ehh can't [View Full Entry]

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As promised here are the last few things that happened while I was in Nara and Osaka Japan before coming back home. Nara first: The next day was our full day in Nara (after going to see the big Buddha). We got up early and walked down to the Museum. It was really interesting and the first section that we saw had something to do with a big cultural event that happens at a certain Temple in Nara. They gave the history and scrolls and pictures and variety of other things. Really had us think about the fact that America is [View Full Entry]

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So i havent written much, and wont write much, in fact this may be my LAST entry! Ill write more once I get back! Ill be leaving for the airport today and with the time change, Ill make up some time too. But anyways, From Nara, me and Jeff made it to Osaka! Very cool place. We were able to see the Osaka Castle and do some other things. Very cool! Will have to add pics later. Then we went one place for lunch while in Osaka and I got SICK! I mean sick! I mean, I didnt even finish my [View Full Entry]

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So Jeff finally made it, and soon after he got to the hotel, it was time to go out and figure out our plans for the New Year. I heard that one temple was good, but on the internet I was reading that this one close by Gion had Maiko and Geisha there, and afterwards everyone gathered in the park to drink and dance. So that place sounded cool. We get there, and its crazy. SO many people were out there and in the temple little shops were set up that sold everything from fish on a stick, to wii and [View Full Entry]

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Jeffs flight yesterday was cancelled and it seem to have pushed him back 24hrs. So he wont be coming in til later today. In fact within the next hour plus his plane should be landing, but there is no airport in Kyoto, so he will be coming from Osaka which is almost 2hours away (by shuttle). Its ok, cause I heard of some great place to hang out, Heian Shrine I think is the name- have it marked on my map. Seems like everyone likes to go to Shrines, we hear the gongs beat so many times, then I think you [View Full Entry]

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Wow, so first I went towards Kiyomizu Temple. It was awesome! If only for the fact that you walk down a tunnel in total darkness, with you hand against the wall until you reach the end. Kinda freaked me out, I dont know if Ive ever been in total darkness like that before. But it was an awesome, and short, experience. Then it was off to Ginkakuji Temple and the Path of Philosophy! The Temple was amazing! There was nothing but deep nature all around. I got to go up, for a little bit, the side of a mountain and see [View Full Entry]

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So I did master the train/bus system and ended up all the way in Himeji, Japan! The train ride was about 1.5hrs. It was nice cause I liked just realaxing and watching everything outside. I got to see the Ocean side of Osaka on my way out. Very cool. The worst part of the day was waking up to the rain. Yup, its raining and its cold. But thankfully it wasnt too bad in Himeji, looked like a good ady to get away from Kyoto. Cause when I got back it was even colder and wetter then when i left. Himeji [View Full Entry]

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Because I am now a master of the bus system in Kyoto, YES!, I was able to figure out how to do everything on my list. But one thing. But thats not a lack-of-knowing-how-to-get-there, there was just no room for me :(. Anyways!! It was AWESOME! So I made it to the Imperial Palace, and I had to go to this side building, show my passport and sign in. They gave me a slip saying it was ok to visit the grounds, but I could only go in at 2pm with a tour. It was before 10am. Wow, what to do?! [View Full Entry]

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