The Trip Rises Through Water

Our adventures changed when we left the city on the bullet train and started with a visit to Himeji Castle, where Samurai protected their province from surrounding forces. Every province had a castle, and maps of castles were not allowed. One of our many wonderful guides is Trent Maxey, a professor at Amherst College who teaches all things Asian - apparently - and grew up in Japan. He explained some of the strategies used to fool invaders - stairs going down - different paths to take - that worked for protection. The castle itself was physically stunning, and actually has been used in many American movies. Many many stairs but also a relief to remove our shoes. The Japanese people were very friendly, and have been consistently, and allowed us to take their photos, and generally helped us.

We took a ferry in the afternoon to miyajima island. As we approached, a bright orange gate, Torii, rose up out of the water. Itsukushima Shrine sits on the Island and is like a small port of wooden walkways, with many lovely details- paper lanterns, grey-white stones, and places of prayer. Deer roam the island freely like dogs or cats at home, and we had some amusing interactions with several of them. One deer ate Gemma's papers, and she pulled out the other half! Lauren, Tim and I spotted a "badger-dog," and then the whole group tried to get a picture - ot was a small creature like a racoon or maybe a possum. Before that, we walked along small roads, cooled our feet in a clear rocky stream, and visited a small ryokan, or inn.

For dinner, we ate a traditional Japanese meal that our gracious hosts described. We had eel, jellyfish, tuna, and vegetables. We wore yukata, Japanese robes, with obi, and we drank sake and beer. We each talked about what surprised us in Japan. That, Dear Readers, I will not share, but the group itself has taken on the Japanese custom of kindness to others and it was a genuinely touching and funny evening. Some of us enjoyed the traditional communal baths and others chose to spend quiet time in our rooms, which are pristine examples of the match of form , function, and Japanese beauty: creamy wood, tatami floor mats, sliding paper doors.

As always, my time is limited, but I think it is not too presumptuous to say that the whole group is grateful to have the opportunity to be here, and we have risen to a new level of comfort and enjoyment with our departure from the city. Today we visit Hiroshima and move to another place, so we will see what the opportunities are for blogging.

People are so appreciative of all comments! We are very aware that we are far from home. Aregatu. Thank you.