Day #11 Leaving Eiheiji, Cherry Blossoms At Last!

Oh no! It's almost 1:00 AM. I have got to go to sleep but I want to catch up. The bags under my eyes will reach my chin tomorrow.

We got up this morning to see that the downpour of last night was continuing. Art worried about getting the wheelchair drenched and my mother safely to the bus stop at the bottom of the hill.

Our wake up was at 3:50. Zazen went easier now that I knew what to do. The funny part was my aunt starting her zazen preparation.

She started talking to herself, "Let's see. I'm supposed to sit up here... don't touch the wood, turn myself just so..." She didn't notice the priests trying to shush her. I could hardly contain myself. I thought I'd turn blue from holding in my laughter. She'd forgotten that one of the three places we don't talk is the meditation hall.

After the zazen, we were allowed to join in the morning service. We watched over a hundred priests walk into the temple and begin their chants. Art was startled when they chanted a blessing in his name. That was so lovely. The sound of all those priests chanting together with their voices echoing in the ancient, freezing temple was really something. When I looked over at my aunt and mom, I was surprised to see them chanting along. How could they remember so much of the sutras?

Our guides very kindly warned us to dress warmly for the service. After the service they took us on another tour of the different parts of the temple complex. My mother and aunt enjoyed talking to Yuko and Taisho.

Our vegetarian breakfast was absolutely wonderful. When you think about it, it's really a healthy breakfast and every morsel was delicious!

At 9:00 Tashio and Yuko came to wish us farewell and guide us to the entrance. You can easily get lost there. When we opened the door we saw that miraculously, the pouring rain had stopped. We could hardly believe it!

Leaving Eiheiji, I was grateful for the experience that was given us so graciously. I really feel I came away with a new understanding and peace within myself.

Here's a map of the Eiheiji temple complex.

We walked down to the town area and found the bus stop. The bus arrived right on time and we settled down for the ride to the Fukui Train Station. That's when the rain began again in earnest. Art and I are still really amazed by it all. In my heart, I thanked my grandfather and grandmother for making sure their daughters stayed dry.

We caught the train to Nagoya. We had a 4 hour layover there. It was just enough time for my mom to make a call to a grade school friend and catch a taxi to see Nagoya Castle. My aunt is fascinated by castles.

And then... OH MY GOSH! Can you believe it?

After all this time of being too early for the cherry blossoms, there they were! Nagoya is farther south so the temperatures are warmer.

It absolutely took your breath away. I'd heard of people going to Japan just to see the cherry blossoms and didn't quite understand why. Now I do.

The castle was pretty awesome, too!

But really... It's the cherry blossoms that had us completely agog.

We went to see the castle exhibits but I couldn't wait to come out and be among the blossoms.

Some of the trees were scattering their petals creating a hanafubuki or flower blizzard. Awesome!

And now, my friends. Thank you for coming along with me on this trip. I've really been loving your comments although I'm not able to to answer anything much right now. Would you believe my mom was actually telling the priests about my blogging? Oh my!

Well... good night everybody!