Group Connections!

Well, 18 very disparate people have met up to spend the next 16 days together!!! As always, the balance of the  sexes is a bit askew with 6 men and 12 women, coming from New Zealand, Oz, Malaysia,  UK , Switzerland and the token Irish person…me!! All very well travelled, we have a wonderful local guide, whose name nobody can pronounce, so he calls himself Mike! We have all been given a badge, that to date, I hv kept firmly in my bag!!

He wears a bright yellow tee-shirt and baseball cap and carries the ubiquitous umbrella with a yellow soft toy attached to the top, so we can see him to follow him!!! Never saw myself as someone following the umbrella,  but with the crowds at the locations we are visiting, it is necessary. He is a historian and great fun so am learning a lot. The Group like the United Nations, are all travelling solo, like moi, and like the UN, I can see differences of opinions breaking out over the next few days!!! Watch this space!!!However, if I was Maeve Binchy, I think I would have a book, a mini series and perhaps a movie, observing the dynamics between our Group!!! Wonder what they are saying about me???

We had a packed filled day to kick off our trip leaving early to visit the Ancient Capital of Nara, about an hour out of Osaka. One of the highlights we are advised off in advance, were the Nodding Sika  Deer, said to be messengers from the God’s of the spirit of the ancient rulers!!! Well, what I saw was a bunch of domesticated deer, well used to visitors, nuzzling us, somewhat aggressively, looking for crackers that sold on the street for the purpose of feeding said deer!!! This was on the perimeter of what looked like a lovely Park and no doubt if one saw the deer in their more natural environment, it would have been kinder to them, methinks!!

However, we were off to visit Todai-ji Temple, the worlds largest wooden structure.

The Temple is home to Daibutsu, an 8th century Buddha, standing almost 15 metres tall.

A very formidable structure, it is an active Temple with regular prayers. There were scores of school children visiting at the same time  all beautifully turned out in spotless uniforms, behaving very well and not a screen between them!!! One very obvious aspect of life here, that  I have observed, is how very polite and mannerly everyone is and also how spotlessly clean every place is. A lot for us to learn.

We then walked from the Temple for about 20 minutes to visit a beautiful traditional garden.

Mike had explained the differences of the main religions, Buddhism and Shinto and how this difference is often seen in garden design. Shinto being the positive faith with acceptance being the dominant belief.

This garden, while small, had all the positive elements of Nature. Japanese Garden style was originally designed for the Samurai or Warriors where they would relax with their families,  after battle. The Black rock, often adjacent to the main pool, in the centre of the garden represented the Mountains, the Water represents the Ocean and surroundings trees and plants the lifespan as they blossommed through the seasons.  The various little houses scattered through the Garden are the viewing areas.

After typical Japanese lunch it was off to visit Osaka Castle located within the City. In the 16th Century, the Castle was built for the Shogun, who had taken over the political affairs of the country.  Surrounded by magnificent Castle walls, they  were constructed in a contour, so that gravity went to the middle, thereby withstanding the tremors of earthquakes. These walls still stand proud today across the Moat surrounding this magnificent building.

I walked all the way up to the top, 8 flights of stairs up and down, to  take in the magnificent views from this ancient edifice, across a modern progressive city of huge economic power, within Japan where Suntory, Panasonic and Takeda to name but a few, are based.

When we got back to base, we had little time before dinner, but as the hotel was adjacent to a large department store, I decided to take a look!! Oh my goodness, the elegant fashion, the range of style, all very well priced and sized, contradicted my expectations. I had imagined very small sizes, very high prices and very different style! Got that wrong!!! I could have replaced my whole wardrobe, but time and good sense prevailed sadly. Mind you a couple of items made it…….but I ran out of time as we were dining at a highly rated Japanese Restaurant, which was fabulous!!

Super evening, if only slightly marred by one of the men in the group, who perched himself beside me, wearing beach shorts! Honestly!!

Early start for Saturday with full programme, en route to Hiroshima, so no carousing!!

Stay with me for more!!!