We went to Morio's sister's house because she is a very high ranking teacher (I guess there are levels and she's the second highest). Morio`s sister`s name is Yukie. To get there, it was about 3 hours by car because we got stuck in traffic for a while. But it was totally worth it! When we arrived, they had lunch set out for us: tea sandwiches (triangles with the crust cut off), soup cups, and fruit. Then, they demonstrated how to make the tea. There are so many steps, each one ritualized, and she has done it so many times. Trained, studied, and perfected it. I could have watched her fluid, beautiful motions all day. Then, we all got dressed in kimonos. It's what I was most excited for. We all looked so beautiful!! Morio's sister's apprentice (I didn't catch their names) made a bowl of tea for each of us. Before you drink, you have to turn it twice clockwise so the face is away from you. Then, you drink the tea in two large gulps and the last sip is slurped. It's green and sort of grassy. After we each had a bowl of it, it was finally our turn to try making tea. We eat make a bowl, helping each other to remember what step came next, which was things were supposed to be facing, what not to do. It was so neat. The little house where we learned was so peaceful. But, all too soon, it was over.
When we left, it was cold and ready to rain, which it did the whole way home. We stopped to pick up Prof. Don Ulin's son from the airport. He just finished his freshman year of college, where he has been studying Japanese. We were supposed to go to the botannical gardens, but we didn't because of the rain. We were also supposed to eat somewhere along the way, but since we didn't stop at the gardens, it was too early for dinner. So, when we got back, we went to a conveyor belt sushi bar. It was pretty neat to see. We stuck to the veggies and cooked stuff, but Sanshiro ordered some specialty. Let's just say, we watched the fish come out of the tank and onto the plate. It was a bit more than I could handle...
But hey, I'm here for the experience, right? Well, every day has been chock full of them!!
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