Sunday, January 9th, 2011
Hello all! It's Sunday. After a full and restful night's sleep in our chilly rooms lulled by the sounds of construction work just outside our windows till the wee hours of the morning, we were awakened at 4:20 am by an automated wake up call. We put on layer after layer of clothes before stting off on an early morning jaunt in the dark to the Buddhis temple. When we arrived at the entrance gate Nancy, our tourguide/mama duck talked with the person on the other side before walking right in--we followed like good little ducklings.
Our ears were soon filled by the rhythmic sound of over a dozen monks chanting, the base of a drum-like instrument, and clang of a bell before the unmistakeable scent of burning inscense entered into our nostrils. Inside the temple there were many gold-gilded statues of Buddha, brightly colored tapestries hanging from the ceiling and monks doing the cyclic motions of bowing and standing while we sat observing on the side. The monks dedication is incredible. The main shrine was decorated with offerings of flowers, fruit, and food. After listening to a few chants, we found ourselves in a conga-like line minus all the pizzazz as we weavedthrough the rows of seat cushions each decorated with its own lotus flower. We sat through the rest of the ceremony watching our warm breath leave our body to make little puffs in the air. Afterwards we used our spidey senses to feel our way down unlit stairs and stoney pathways to defrost in our rooms until breakfast at 7. Breakfast was pleasantly surprising as it was complete with both Chinese and American foods, toast, fruits and hot coffee--a last attempt to warm up before we go to Mount Emei. It's going to be a cold one!
We took a bus ride up the mountain along snowy, icy roads before getting to the area where we rented clamp-ons...money well spent as we watched many Chinese people slip along the iced over stairs-turned-slide. We hiked up a little before riding a cramped cable car and hiking a little more. We walked up a pathway lined with elephant statues till we got to the highest Buddha. It was very impressive. On our way back down we encountered monkeys that were both cute and frightening all at the same time. One young boy lost his glove as the monkey grabbed for the food in his hand. The monkey tasted it before throwing it over the other side of the fence it was sitting on and down a steep slope leaving the boy teary-eyed. The bus ride home was longer but we were all exhausted. We made a brief stop for a Sichuan snack which was more like a full on meal. Then returned to the hotel which we have been staying at, ever more grateful for our space heaters.
We miss you all and hope all is well! Take care!
<3 Rachel Fujimoto
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