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Published: March 17th 2009
Seoul's Incheon Airport
This is why it's been named World's Best International Airport for the 4th year in a row.For those of you who don't know, I made the very difficult decision to quit the teaching job I love and accept a position as a career counselor, a contracting job with the Army. The U.S. economy is having a worldwide affect, and Korea's economy took a sharp downturn about 5 months ago. The Korean dollar is worth about 30%!l(MISSING)ess than when I arrived. Therefore, I needed to earn U.S. dollars. Sounds easy enough but visa laws are pretty strict. I've been jumping through hoops for a week, and one of the thing I needed to do was leave the country. Dan and I went to Tokyo last May and I vowed I would see more of Japan. So here I am.
March 15 I arrived at Kansai International Airport after a 90 minute flight. (It took me twice as long to get from my apartment to the airport than from Seoul to Osaka!) I took the shuttle bus to my hotel and asked a man sitting next to me what I should do while in Osaka. He said there's not much to do other than shop (no, thanks) but said that Kyoto is only about 45 minutes away.
March 16 I took the shuttle from my hotel back to the airport and caught limousine bus (just a nice bus) to Kyoto Train Station (1hr 45 mins). I hit up the Tourist Info and got a couple maps then decided to have my first real meal, and what better than sushi? I took a seat at one of those sushi places where the plates comes around on a conveyor belt. The man next to me looked American and when I couldn't figure out the hot water faucet for my tea he helped me. We began talking. Wanna know how small this world is?
Man: "This is the best city in Japan. I've been here for two months."
Me: "Oh yeah? That's nice. You work here?"
Man: "Yes, kinda. I just hang out here and check in at the office in Japan so my boss stays happy. But I'm from New York."
Me: "Oh, me too! I'm from Syracuse."
Man: "I'm from Homer."
Me: "My parents live on Otisco Lake! I went to Ithaca College."
Man: "I used to teach at Ithaca College."
Weird, huh? Anyways, his name is Bill and he suggests a certain Shinto Temple
(which I happened to be going to anyways) and says to keep an eye out for his wife. I pay for my 6 plates of sushi ($8! nice) and use my map to walk the 30 minutes to Kiyomizudera Temple (KEY-you-MEE-zoo-DERA). There was some festival going on (maybe for Spring?) and it's a Sunday so there are lots of people. But there was a whole crowd at one particular Temple, cameras ready. I asked a woman why everyone was crowded here, and she said a dragon would be coming out. Cool. So I found a place, took out my camera, and wondered if
this might be Bill's wife. It probably freaked her out at first when I asked her if she was Bill's wife, but she had a good laugh, and gave me her card. She is an art history professor at SUNY Cortland on sabbatical. She told me she is writing a blog, so I'm excited to check it out.
The ritual began with five people blowing on giant conch shells (a very eerie sound), and then soldier looking men with orange metal vests and masks tapping long poles with metal rings on the top that jingle. Next
several sets of men who could be a sort of priest came out. Then women, dressed in beautiful gowns and masked, waved their wands around like they were blessing the crowds. Finally, the dragon came out, as the men continued to blow the shells.
Shinto is a major religion in Japan, similar in some ways to Buddhism. Although there are distinct differences, those who practice Shinto accept a certain hand-in-hand respect for Buddhism. The bright orange arches are every where and represent the barrier between the world we live in and the world of the "kami". Kami is the spirit of everything. Each flower, animal, and person has kami.
I saw wells with running water, gourds, and a statue at every Temple. One of the Four Affirmations of Shinto is cleanliness. So these wells are for washing hands and rinsing out the mouth.
There are often ropes or trees covered with tied papers at Temples. You should make a small donation, then choose a piece of paper from a box. This has your fortune and hopefully it's good. If it isn't then you should tie the fortune at the temple, so that it doesn't follow you. The
Girls in Kimonos
I was surprised to see so many women wearing the traditional dress. wooden plaques are the same idea.
I continued my walk and made my way to the hostel. It's quite cute- sliding rice paper doors, wood floors, and tiny doorways. Girls sleep in one room on mats (actually very comfortable) with thick down comforters. There is a community room with wireless, a computer, a small kitchen, a chess set, and books. After checking in I wandered around the area, got a sandwich from a bakery, and marveled at this city. It's stunning- traditional Temples, shrines, homes, and roads. Many women walk around in kimonos, split-toe socks, and wooden sandals. Everywhere you look are trees, orange arches, rice paper lanterns, and streams. No one seems in a great rush, and everyone looks content and happy. I have had a wonderful experience with the Japanese people. They are a warm, smiling, and gentle people.
In the evening the manager of the hostel, a young Japanese man who studied English in Australia, took a few of us to a lantern festival going on for only two weeks. It was unbelievable! Lanterns of all kinds, candles, flower sculptures, and even a strange presentation of a young girl in a pig mask who sat
Just a few blossoms...
the rest of the stunning cherry blossoms will bloom in about 2 weeks. in a carriage, then was whisked away after a quick paparazzi moment.
I love Kyoto so much that I think I won't go back to Osaka tomorrow. Instead, I'll stay here for another night, then catch the bus back to Osaka on Tuesday.
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Mom
non-member comment
I know your decision was a hard one, but sometimes you have to make changes that will better your life and future. Money isn't everything, but one needs to be realistic, too. I'm SO glad you made the decision to travel instead of coming home. We're always here for you, but chances like this don't always come along. Dad and I are so proud of you!