It’s Almost Like Being in Love

When I’m in Japan, people seem nicer, the landscape more beautiful, the mundane more interesting. The giggling groups of young women enjoying each other’s company help me to appreciate how fleeting youth is.  The laughs I share with new friends are more frequent. The reds are redder, the golds more golden.

Respect for and tolerance of others are a commonly agreed upon bond that is shared by almost everyone. Kindness prevails. People seem to smile more often than at home. I awaken earlier.  Singing too!  Rereading this, it sounds like I’ve fallen in love!

schoolgirls in the bamboo forest.

For those of you who have come along for the recent ride, thank you so much for your interest and enthusiastic responses to my blog. I have discovered that I truly enjoy writing and taking photos as well. Blogging makes my own experience richer and more considered. The iPhone allows me to take hundreds and hundreds of photos with nary a thought about wasting money on film and development costs. What a luxury!

During our stay, the days grew shorter giving me a perfect excuse to light a Japanese candle during sake hour ( a daily event.) The leaves changed colors a little earlier than anticipated.  The temperature lowered and people out and about wrapped themselves in warm scarves and warm coats. End of year decorations began to be displayed.  The month was up.

My final week in Kyoto, thoughts turned towards reuniting with my family while consoling myself that I’ll be returning in the spring.  I’m so grateful to be able to continue our visits to Japan. It’s providing continual nourishment for my aesthetic sense, reignited my sense of wonder and discovery and in ways that I cannot explain, enhanced my spirituality.  Just like love!