NICK: a vague recollection of the past week or so
Trip Start
Jan 25, 2006
1
6
106
Trip End
Ongoing
Tokyo,
Japan
Monday, February 6, 2006
the next day we went onto the base. that was a bit creepy - normally the military bases that I've been on are horrible situations, bland, uninteresting, and depressing.. this base was neat, it was kinda like being in a small town in some part of the rural US... where they have military jets.
John's house is pretty neat, it's close to the airfield so you can hear military jets flying overhead ALL THE FRIGGIN TIME.. no wonder they hate us, the jets are flying all day. I can imagine what a huge radius that these planes are audible over.
The military has changed my dear boy, John, into a neater gentleman. It's neat to have seen the transition from living with Donnie, to living in a lush HOUSE (mind you, most japanese can probably barely afford the apartment they live in), with a guest room, a tatami room, an office, and washer AND dryer. This house is really quite new, and has all the neat commodities of a functional family house. And the military pays for it. How nice! Anyways, he's got a nice rug, a nice couch, stylish furniture, and a full guest room. Pretty impressive.
After a few days, Ash caught soem sort of stomach bug and was holed up for a few days.. we didn't really go out or do anything, except to the local dept store for a few knick-knacks and some food. I'm guessing it's a transition with the water.. she's now a bit wary of any food not refrigerated tho.
We went to the Meiji-jingu (Meiji temple) and saw the enshrinement (new word for me) of the emperor and emperess as deities. (I know nothing of Buddhist religion, but I plan on learning) I also learned the neat little procedure of 1)Throw money in, 2) bow twice, 3) clap twice, 4)make a prayer (wish for those who don't believe in religion) 5) bow again and you're done!! Oh yeah, and you're sposed to wash your hands and mouth before entering the temple.
I got a poem from the temple:
"Karisome no kotowa omowade kurasu koso
Yo ni nagaraen naru rame"
"To pass one's days unworried
By any trifling thing-
Surely therein will be found,
The potion of long life."
The translated elaborated meaning included on the poem was: "The best prescription for a long life is not to worry or complain about petty annoyances. Bring peace to yourself and to the world by keeping your spirit serene."
I almost bought another one for another peaceful saying..
With that, I leave you to talk amongst yourselves.
Over and out.
