As usual, we started out with breakfast at 7:30 in the morning. I was a bit early, so i actually walked into people setting up the food. It kind if put it in perspective that the food did not just magically appear in front of us when we were ready to eat. But that there is a back process to how the food got there. Something that might be taken for granted unless you were being really mindful. There were persimmons and some kind of orange with a green peel, but they were delicious nonetheless. We eat three square meals a day and are fed very well. As someone who normally doesn't eat breakfast, it makes a huge difference in how you feel throughout the day.
The very first thing we did was go through a bamboo forest walk. It's just amazing how vast it was, and it had a mountain as a backdrop. With the slight fog, it was just breathtaking. After coming back down from the walk, we each got ice-cream as we couldn't resist the urge anymore. I had a three layered kiwi, black tea, and vanilla cone. It was delicious.
Soon after we made our way to the famous moss garden temple, where we had to copy the heart sutra before entering. It my first time picking up a calligraphy brush, and I found out quickly just how ugly my Chinese writing was, but not completely horrendous. I really give it to the people who can do calligraphy. It really takes a lot of discipline and finesse. All I know is that I now have the urge to practice my calligraphy. It took me what felt like half an hour to complete. We got to write a wish on it and present it to the god. It was an experience everyone was looking forward to doing.
Before going to the moss garden however, we had lunch at a very famous soba noodle establishment. Soba noodles are made from buckwheat. I'm not sure the name of the one I had, but it has a Japanese yam froth on top, which professor Glassman equated to being a slimy yam, it was supposed to emulate growing moss. And on top of the froth was an egg yolk. You mixed it in with the soup and noodles, I'm running out of descriptive words, but it was stunning, to steal then words of Gordon Ramsey.
The moss garden itself Is in it's own category. The man who had it built, carved out the Chinese character 心. And apparently the water was at a level which produces maximum reflectiveness. The entire area felt like it was glowing green but it was very fascinating to see the different textures, and colors, and shapes that the moss produce. I am also in awe of the mere size of the place and the upkeep that the grounds keepers must have to do. The moss is very sensitive and to keep it pristine, they literally have to go and pick up dropped leaves everyday.
By now, we have been walking for quite a while, so we went to a bamboo surrounded temple,Jizo-in, and did a 15 minute sitting session on our own. It was nice to just have the moment, undirected, to just be there and rest at the same time. We spent quite a while there, and the space couldn't have been very large, but it had a lot to take in. I am always surprised at what people can do in such confined spaces.
Everyone basically knocked out when we got back, and napped for an hour before dinner.
Today is the last day in Kyoto as we prepare to travel Osaka and HOT SPRINGS in the morning.
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