I got up early this morning.  I’ve been getting up early every morning.  I’m not a morning person so it is weird to be awake before 6:00 each day.  Today it was extra nice.  It would give me time to explore Ueda before I left after lunch.  Plus, I had no need to hang out in my smoking room.

I walked to the Ueda castle.  It was originally built in 1583.  Now it is part of a park and museum.  It was so peaceful walking around the park.  There were other people, but it seemed private compared to Tokyo.  I took pictures and wandered. I heard drums off in the distance so I walked towards those.  I imagined they were the big ceremonial drums.  They stopped long before I could find them. 

I also walked to the Historic Street.  It looked like Japan from the 1500’s.  I enjoyed the walk through the alley neighborhood to get to the historic street as much as I enjoyed the historic street.  I love getting a glimpse of where people live.  I always try to imagine what life might be like I lived there, rode my bike to that shop and ate at that restaurant.  A bakery was open on the historic street, but none of the shops.  It was still fun to walk down the street trying to imagine what life was like back then.

For lunch I met up with my spiritual teacher and one of my past classmates.  She was not only one of his past students, but is now his translator and workshop organizer when he teaches in Japan.  The main reason I am here is to attend one of these classes.  I have met this class many times both in Japan, in Colorado and on zooms. So I was excited and honored to see them again and spend a week paying witness to their growth and their journey in person.

We left Ueda and headed up to the retreat center where the class will be.  The class consists of 2 men and 10 women.  A few minutes after I was shown to my room the guys came to say hi and take me to see where the girls were staying.  Most everyone was there.  I was welcomed with hugs and huge smiles.  Those that spoke minimal English told me they were glad I came.  The others told me in Japanese.  Even through the language barrier, I knew they were grateful I came all this way to be with them.  My heart was full and my happy tears were many.