Kobe, Japan

April 10, 2012

This morning we had to get our temperature taken by the Japanese officials - We walked through the Union and they had this machine pointed at us that looked like a high-tech machine the police would use to catch people speeding. When getting off the ship we had to get our fingerprints and our photos taken. I had an FDP this morning, and they were planning on having us take public transportation there, but our teacher did not want that so we waited for a private bus to take us. Finally after a 1.5 hour drive, we arrived in Kyoto at the Zen Gardens. The first temple we went to we were not allowed taking photos, but there was a saying I loved:

Each day in life is training

Training for myself

Though failure is possible

Living each moment 

Equal to anything

Ready for everything

I am alive - I am this moment

My future is here and now.

For if I cannot endure today

When and Where will I?

Words for each day 

Soen Zeki

Daisen-Inn Temple, Kyoto

This was an abstract garden that was made of rocks and sand. As we have learned in our Art History class, the Japanese have a love for Nature, which was shown in the garden. 

We then proceeded to the Koto-In Zen Temple which included a tea-house. 

On our way back to the ship, we stopped at the Cherry Blossom festival!! This was so neat. We were in Japan at just the right time, because when they bloom, they only last for 7-10 days! 

April 11, 2012

Today was a rainy day in Japan!! Gabby and I searched for internet in the morning, and in the afternoon went shopping around Kobe. We left Kobe tonight on the ship, and have one day of travel until arriving in Yokohama, our second port in Japan.