The other day, I was able to visit Naritasan Shinshoji Temple in Narita.  It was a great introduction to both street life in Narita and Japanese temples and shrines.  I can’t say that I’m an expert on the history of Naritasan, but I do know that it is a Buddhist shrine dedicated to Fudo Myoo, a god associated with fire.  At the beginning of the temple (the entrance) there is a very large gate.  After passing through this gate there are a few street vendors who sell talismans and other relics related to the shrine.  I did not have a chance to purchase any items from this temple, but I plan to in the future at other temples and shrines (perhaps as a good luck charm before a test).

There are many sights to see within the temple.  After passing under the second gate, the actual entrace to the temple grounds, there is a little pond beneath the steps with many little turtles and koi (carp) living in harmony.

The temple itself is above the pool and has a very awe-inspiring presence.  Not only is it large, but the incense burning and architecture add to the feeling of a holy site.  The inside, which doesn’t allow photography, provides for an amazing view.  The hallowed chambers of the temple produce an atmosphere that feels heavy…(continued later)

Konnichiwa Mina-san!  So I have arrived safely in Japan.  The flight was long and grueling (I was up a total of 26 hours yesterday), but I am finally here on the ground and very comfortable at Yamamoto’s Narita Airport Hostel. 

Many people would expect a tatami style room to be uncomfortable.  First, you have a padded mattress, about three inches thick on the ground.  Then, you have the pillow made out of Soba noodles (yes like pasta).  It is quite different, but it was overall comfortable.  However, I may have been a bit biased towards it because of not getting sleep for over 24 hours.  We’ll see. 

My laptop was recently returned to me from the manufacturer, but it was still broken on arrival.  So I am without a laptop here and my posts may be a little far apart the first couple weeks.  (I have some pictures that I can’t upload either).  I’ll tell more later!

Tomorrow I leave for Japan and I finished this website just in time.  The index page was a nightmare.  After struggling with div tags, I finally just threw up my hands and went with a table.  Perhaps I’ll redo it in the future as I originally wanted it.  At least now I don’t have to worry about the website creation for a while.

I will be departing in about 15 hours.  I guess I’m having my own “24″ experience, counting down virtually every minute.  Although I am pretty far along in packing, it really seems like I’m far off from being ready.  I guess all I need to do is finish packing and pray for a safe trip

I have made websites in the past, but none that have been put together so quick.  There are so many web-based plugins for your web-building needs that it really makes the job cake.  “So easy a caveman can do it” pretty much sums up basic website design these days.  Still, it takes some patience and work to get it from 95% to 100% where it needs to be (isn’t everything like that though).

Only a week now until I leave.  I’m not nervous about leaving to Japan, just nervous that I may not be prepared.  I guess you can never really be prepared for complete immersion into another culture.  Japan will likely turn my life upside down.  However, I think there is so much to gain from an experience overseas both educationally and for my own development.  There’s so much to look forward to on a trip like this.