I went to church today. I always wondered but never really knew if my faith would continue outside of Evanston. On those rare occasions when I was left to my own devices on a Sunday morning, I usually traded church for sleep. I assumed that when I went off to college or Japan it would be the same deal. Yet this morning I found myself craving mass. So after pancakes with honey (maples syrup is real expensive because it’s all imported) I hopped on my bike and pedaled the five blocks to mass. To my surprise, there was a fair collection of English speakers, and they even had a reading in English. It was a lot smaller than St. Nick’s, but it was filled. And they didn’t drink any wine. After mass they invited me to tea and sweets, which I didn’t refuse. There I learned of a church in the next town that had an English mass every week at 8 am. So I got directions and after lunch I made the 45 minute bike ride to Tsukuba. The priest was outside the church and we talked for a while. He’s from New Jersey, he said every week they have mass and I would be welcolme to join. So next week I plan to get up early on Sunday and go to mass in English. It may be my last opportunity for a while.
My host mother was kind enough to provide me with an English map of Tsuchiura. Today was the first day I sat down and looked at it in earnest. There are more places here to visit than I originally thought. It’s a good size city, and on my bike I can get anywhere. My method of getting places works, although it is not extremely efficient. There are lots of places to explore. There are many Japanese sweet shops, restaurants, hotels, temples, shrines, parks, and the like. When I went for my run yesterday down to the lake I didn’t realize how big it is. It is the second largest lake in Japan. They have a large bay with fishing and sailing, plenty of parks and it looks like an athletic facility with a track (yay!). Even the mundane can be interesting in just the fact that they do them differently. Something I noticed today, the traffic lights have right turn only arrows (they drive on the left side of the road) that come after the normal light. In America the left turn only comes before. I think the Japanese way makes more sense.
List of places I want to go:
Honmyo-ji Temple
Jinryu –ji Shrine
Joshin-ji Temple
Ruins of Ohtemon
Ryusen-ji Temple
Myoken-ji Temple
City Martial Gymnasium
Japanese sweets shop
Buddhist Altar Shop
Confectionery
Pipe Factory
City Museum
Tsukiyomi Shrine
Bowling Alley
Tsuchiura City Athletic Park
Tsuchiura Harbor
Kimono Shop
Toy store
4 comments:
I'm sure the familiar rhythms and rituals of the mass were comforting--that is part of the point of them. That continuity across language barriers is what refugees and emigrants and travelers have carried with them for millenia. I hope you get to experience worship services in other religions, too. Are there formal Shinto and Buddhist services (asks the religious studies professor!)? Does your host family worship together inside or outside the home?
I'm glad you are traveling around. It sounds as if the restrictions on behavior that you originally experienced have eased or never applied to daytime explorations, which is great. I'm glad you have some autonomy with a bike; how did the bike come into your possession?
Maybe this week without school will end up being a blessing-a time to get to know more about your new community, and its nooks and crannies.
How's the weather?
two words: "urban golf"
that would be amazing in japan, but wait till you know you can get away... If you know what I mean.
I'm still trying to figure out if i am going to go to church myself. I like the idea of it, but i don't know how practical it will turn out to be. I slept through it this morning.
when you get to the toy shop, will you take lots of pictures?
also, i was really surprised how many people a) are catholic and b) go to church weekly here at WM. it's weird, coming from friends that go, but not very often when left on their own.
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