I'm bald

The trip to Japan was an amazing trip.

The 37 of us left on the Saturday flying directly to Osaka, then catching a bus going up to the holy mountain of Japan, Koyasan. The weather was Vancouver winter-like, which is dry but not too chilly. It was snowing the entire two and a half hour going up. We found out it was the one of the biggest snowstorm up there this year. Apparently, that's a very rare scene to be seen on February.

Staying at the temple was a very interesting experience. First, the beds are all traditional Japanese style, meaning it's just a futon laid on the floor. It was surprisingly comfortable! I would really consider getting those if the floor of my apartment is covered with dog hair. The second thing that's interesting is that the shower/bathroom is communal (called sento in Japanese). Not only that we get to see each other's butt while showering, there's this huge jacuzzi like bathtub that can fit more than 15 people at the same time. As much as I like the thought of bunch of naked men showering together, it was hardly the right situation nor crowd to have the fantasy, so it was rather awkward experience for me. It surely didn't help when the camera-man came in and took a photo of us too. When I become the next Prime Minister of Canada, I know that photo will be my downfall.

So, the second day, we got our hair shaved off. It was a rather peaceful moment for me. I guess I have imagined that moment quite a few times already, so when it finally happened, I was glad it was over. You will really appreciate your hair once you not have any. Your head feels so cold when you don't have a hat on, but it's hot when you wear one. Hair really act as a buffer layer between your head and its environment. After the hair-shaving "ceremony", we walked in the snow with our full monk gown for 6 hours. Let's just say it was very cold and I can't remember much from the walk and the rest of the day other than lots of people slided and fell and some of them even had their wooden slippers flew off *wink Ray* Oh, and we weren't allow to eat after breakfast so we were really like skeletons walking the entire day.

We get to shop the next two days and I got everything I wanted from two Buddhist Statues and lots of accessories. Ten of us also made a trip to Kyoto and visited three temples. It was really great visiting those temples again, especially I get to visit them with my best friends.

I said goodbye to my master and other classmates at the airport. It was a very emotional moment. The past 10 months had been a life exchanging experience for me, and we really had became like a huge family. It's going to be weird not to be able to see them every week at the temple anymore.

More photos here.

Comments

[miniv]

awwww!! glad u had fun!!u get to be in vancouver nowwww!!!

[Todd]

Wow what a nice bald boy you make. :-) I am so proud of you that you are all finished and made it thru it all. I cant wait to go out for Ramen me and you and talk talk talk talk.

Miss you alot
Todd

[J]

ha, the "flying wooden slipper" moment.

[fen]

hey there, i left some posts on your blogs however im not sure if i should have left them on your latest entry. well im Fen but ive said everything in the last bolg so i will leave it here, thanks for an enjoyable read and i hope you write plenty more, im so interested to learn more and find out how you got to the path your on and how to get there myself. thanks Fen ryushosan@yahoo.co.uk.

[Chrissss]

welcome back to vancouver