Earth Wisdom

I was treated to a delicious dinner last night in a restaurant created to look like an old Japanese house, with sliding door and cushions around the table.

It was so lovely, and such a generous treat. I really am going to miss all my new friends until the late Spring.

The meal was lots of different plates served at different times. There were so many things I can’t remember them all, but there were fried oysters (yum), little bits of chicken, prawns, vegetables and salads, tuna, yellow-tail (another fish), lots of different dips, miso soup – freshly cooked with vegetables, another freshly cooked vegetable soup, grated radish which you add to the dips. The others had desserts, but I was full, as you can imagine.

What a lovely memory to take home with me.

The weather has turned chilly now, although nothing like you have had in England, of course.

There are Christmas lights everywhere, and those awful blow-up snowmen! Same as home really!

The Japanese just celebrate Christmas as an excuse for a party, as a lot of us do at home, except their Christmas cake is made from sponge, and the idea of Christmas pudding fills them with horror! Their desserts seem to be light and small – quite a lot of delicious little jellies served in restaurants, although I don’t choose to order them due to my lack of a sweet tooth. When they come as part of the meal they are totally divine, and made from fresh fruit.

I had to stop mid-conversation with my interpreter yesterday when I saw a baby-dog dressed as Father Christmas!!!!! It had a little red outfit on with a black belt and buckle, and a little red hat with a pom-pom!! Luckily no sack was tied to its back!!

I am being treated to a meal tonight with Synchronicity-Japan, the company I am working for, then it is my last day of work tomorrow. So Saturday off, then I am booked into a hotel near the airport on Sunday so I don’t have a rush to get my flight on time on Monday.

I keep looking at the weather forecast, and see there is no snow or sub-zero temperatures predicted, so should get home all right.

They have asked me to come back in May/June to do THREE weekend workshops, plus private sessions. Not much time for jollying around looking at shrines then!

I would love to visit a museum next time, as one of my missions was to see some of the ceramics that have inspired so many British potters, so that is top of the list. Apparently the summers are very hot and humid, so my hair will look even worse than it does now (due to lack of appropriate voltage on my dryer and straighteners). I am dreading seeing the Youtube videos!

Can’t wait to see my friends and family. Skype is such a blessing. It was so lovely to be able to see Roma unwrap her birthday present from me on Monday.

Will be in touch soon.

Love and Blessings

xxxxx

Sorry folks,

Some of the photos are sideways on. Will try to fix

xxx

Well, the second weekend was just as successful as the first. The students were more

relaxed as they got to know me and each other more. The park we were working in was very beautiful, and they were all really relaxed and growing in confidence by the minute.

At the end of today they were glowing with that inner light. You know that inner glow we get when we have spent time connecting with Nature?

Yes, Earthkeepers – we are getting our message out to the world.

I feel so blessed to be doing this work.

Love to you all

xxxxx

You won’t believe this, but the buggies are for the dogs!!!

Not a real baby in sight

xxx

Well, I took a trip on the Tokyo metro today all by myself, AND I had to change lines!

I went to visit a beautiful Buddhist temple dedicated to Kwan Yin, Goddess of compassion. She particularly takes care of women. Unfortunately the temple interior was closed to visitors today because there was a special ceremony being performed. There is no photography allowed inside anyway. You could feel the spiritual energy of the place just standing on the platform around the temple.

The streets around the temple are all full of shops selling all kinds of weird and wonderful things – from kimono wigs to chopsticks.

There is a very strong American influence here, with MacDonalds and sushi bars living side by side. The businessmen all look grey and washed out, chainsmoking and with their mobiles stuck to their ears. The young girls are extremely fashion conscious, while the older housewife-type ladies look like they buy from M&S! There seem to be a lot of stereotypes, with not much individuality as far as I can see. They have a tendency to defer to America, and I have heard some disturbing tales from students about certain things they have been led to believe from American so-called “Spiritual teachers”.

They love cats, and little dogs, which they dress up in little outfits such as sailor suits, French matelot costumes and school uniforms! The dogs have little decorations on their ears too, and live in handbags.

I spoke to lovely Polly last night on Skype, and she showed me the garden at Tilton knee-deep in snow, with icicles hanging from the doorframe! There was magical Firle, with its vast white skies and familiar trees, and there was Barkley lounging on the sofa looking beautifully doleful. I must admit that made me homesick. A month away is a long time, even if you are being taken care of, and are working hard.

Never mind, I feel very blessed.

Keep warm, the snow will be gone by this time next week!

Love and blessings

xxxxxxx