Koyasan - Hiroshima
The call to prayer today was at 6.25 for a 6.35am start. Eight of the group made their way to join the monks for this relaxed and reverent start to the day.
We were seated on chairs, provided with blankets and warmed by floor heaters and heated floor mats. The session began with an invitation to offer an individual prayer with the help of a monk. This was followed by the chanting of the sutras in front of the Buddha. Gongs, symbols and the deep-toned voices of the monks made up the Morning Prayer and this was followed by an opportunity to have a wish granted. You name was written on a piece of pine along with your wish. These were gathered and thrown into the frames and your wishes were sent out in the rising smoke.
Rooms were tidied, futons folded and it was time to once again enjoy the vegetarian meal offered by the monks. An array of bowls carried small servings of delicately presented food items.
A few changes of halfway slippers, to socked feet, to bathroom slippers and finally re connected with our own shoes we were farewelled from our #Shukubu and the monks ready for our return trek down the mountain.
Had a little free time here to wander through #Koyasan taking in one last look at the #Chu-mon Gate rebuilt after being destroyed by fire, to celebrate the 1200 year anniversary of #Koyasan), Kon-do Hall, Kon-Pon Pagoda and their adjoining park.
And then is was all systems go from the reverse journey - the bus along the narrow winding access road, the steep descent in the cable car and three trains to return us to Namba station in Osaka.
Farewelled @Tomoko and joined our third and final guide @Yasuna (it sounds like "yes-n-no" she joked.)
@Yasuna has her National guiding licence, is a native of #Kyoto, studied in Australia at University in Adelaide and has an additional homestay family on the #Gold Coast. Incredible to believe - but she is 37 - I swear, she looks about 15.
Anyway, @Yasuna had us organised quickly, lunch in hand and on the next #Shinkansen to #Hiroshima. It all flies by so quickly - hardly have time to settle in your seat. It was a quick turn around on arrival. The #Fresa Inn, our home for two nights, was once again conveniently located across the road from the station. And they were ready for our arrival. Only 30 minutes - and the team was assembled in the foyer again after checking in, collecting bags, finding rooms and dropping off the gear and making any clothing adjustments. We may even have had a chance to go to the loo (and just saying, our first one without a bidet!)
No complaints, but the room is very small. There is under the bed storage for luggage, and we definitely took advantage of this space so we could open the front door to get out and even to open the bathroom door (which opens out into the room.)
That little 30 minute turn around was the end of our time at #Fresa for the afternoon, because we had an extremely busy schedule for the rest of the day that saw us making our way to the tram at 3.30 pm - just getting started really.
Today's experiences:
Peace Park and Museum - The world changed forever on August 6, 1945, when the first atomic bomb exploded over #Hiroshima. Today, this horrific moment in history has led #Hurishima to advocate for peace (G7 summit was held here last year, and world leaders visited the park.), This park and its many landmarks not only document the disaster but strongly petitions for the abolition of nuclear weapons. After viewing the displays in the museum and reading the stories of the victims - why would we ever go down that path again?
Started our sombre visit here at the A-Bomb Dome. Prior the bombing it was used to showcase Japan's industries and when the bomb exploded it was one of the few buildings to remain standing.
Visited the Children's Peace Monument and shared the story of Sadako and the thousand paper cranes. A beautiful and delicate Monument that reflects on the plight of so many children victims of the past and paves the way for future generations to promote a peaceful world.
Between the Museum and the A-Bomb Dome is the Cenotaph for the A-Bomb Victims. The Cenotaph is an arched tomb for those who died because of the bomb, either because of the initial blast or exposure to radiation. Below the arch is a stone chest holding a register of these names - 220,000 names - devastating.
The outside park area is beautiful and provides "hope." This is in stark contrast to the Museum. Absolutely confronting. A story that definitely needs to be told, but in shoulder-to-shoulder shuffling lines, with walls lined by horrific images of victims in agonising circumstances - it was particularly disturbing.
No judgement in any of the displays - just story after story of the horrors of this moment in time. On exit, you were almost speechless. It was a sort of a relief to leave the building and experience the beauty of the park again.
Dinner in the Arcade - a one hour "interval" here to do the dash of the arcade and find yourself some dinner. Not sure how we spotted it but went underground to an Italian restaurant #Savatori and had the best experience e. @Mac tucked into some escargot, I had shrimp au gratin and we topped up with salad and pizza. An absolute gem of a meal. We are sort of "noodled out" and after our monastery vegetarian dinner and breakfast we were ready for the heavy stuff.
Kaguru - finished the night with an absolute gem of a live theatre production. Although all presented in Japanese - we were in tune! Had an MC who gave translated introduction and then English subtitles on a large screen. Basically, a fearsome, multi headed serpent demon terrorised a family by eating their daughters and their last daughter was saved by a warrior.
What a show. Drums, flutes, singing, action, costumes and a happy ending. The serpent performances were impressive, and we cheered and clapped in all the right places. Even got to go on stage at the end of the performance for photos.
A tram ride home, showers and zzzzzs. We were exhausted. Did get a rude awakening at 11.14 pm ..... there was an earthquake - yep, a real jolt, complete with emergency broadcast message to our mobile phones, 165 kms to the south! More details to come.
Weather: crisp weather to welcome the morning with mist and high of 21 back to warmth of Hiroshima at 24 degrees in the afternoon
Steps: 14 441
KEEP CALM THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
The longer I live, the more beautiful life becomes. . Frank Lloyd Wright
No comments:
Post a Comment