I can't believe tomorrow morning I will be packing my bags one last time and heading home! This has been the experience of a lifetime, I will be returning a changed person. As I strolled through the Japanese gardens one last time, comtemplating the thousand-year-old stone pillars standing in stark contrast to the high rise buildings, and the moat separating the hotel from the highway, which once surrounded the Edo castle that stood on these grounds, I realized that this is a metaphor for Japan itself.
This is a country known both for it's rich history and traditions, and for it's technological advances. These are a people at once deeply entrenched in their Shinto and Buddist beliefs and yet fully embracing the future in commerce, educational trends, and politics.
This morning, as the sun burned off the early mists, Mount Fuji appeared outside my hotel window. Just now, the sun set directly behind it, perhaps the most amazing thing I have ever witnessed. I will be happy to get home, but Japan will always live on in my heart.
2 comments:
wow. i still can't believe that you went to japan! I am glad you are returning, but i was looking forward to hearing more of your travels. It all sounds so interesting there. The way you describe the gardens, makes me think they are AMAZING! Too bad we all couldn't come... I can't wait to hear more about japan and your new perspectives on the education when you get back on Monday! I can't wait to see you! :)
Sincerely,
Miniola
Hi!!!
What do they do for holidays in Japan, like Halloween??? Do they celebrate it there??? We cant wait to see you on Monday, but we'll miss Mr. Johnson... if you got a really mean sub, we would be waiting and waiting and waiting for you to come back...... yea... i get off topic easily....
see you Monday!!!!
Your amazingly off topic student...
Amanda McConnell
5th Hour:)
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