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Today is all about travel. We are on the bus by 8:30am and start our journey north to Karatsu by going east to see Mt. Aso, an active volcano. We approach Mt. Aso by driving along the rim of a huge crater from many centuries past. We are in volcano land. We see Mt Aso has smoke emanating. When we arrive at Mt. Aso and take a cable car up to the top but we only have time for a short look and see because the volcano has started to belch serious sulphur smoke and fumes. We are herded back onto the cable car and down to the shopping areas at the foot of the volcano. Ever flexible we shop with the extra time and, of course, there is the continuous search for the perfect mochi.
Back on the bus we head for Kumamoto to catch our first of four trains. The first takes us through a very scenic part going north. We’re on this train for about 30 minutes. We have a few minutes and then we catch the second train and ride for another 30 minutes. John Morton uses these quick train trips to hone his computer balancing technique, sometimes aided by his able assistant and trip participant, Olga Schmal. We are awed by his ability to focus on his email in the midst of train whistles and moving trains and peoples around him. After we board the third train for Hakata we settle down for an hour ride and Spiritual Exercises. We are so ready; this hour seems like 20 minutes and it’s over in a blink. Once at Hakata we catch our last train that will bring us to Karatsu. This train starts like a regular subway and picks up speed becoming more bullet style. Some school kids are interested in our group. When they leave the train car, they wave and say goodbye. Our Traveler waves and smiles to them. Some of the kids run back into the car for my waves and hugs and Traveler smiles and looks.
At last we make it to Karatsu. It’s a short taxi ride to our ryokan. Following the color coded signs we find our room. We just have time to do a little unpacking and dress ourselves in the new ukatas that are navy blue striped. Dinner tonight is shabu-shabu style which consists of a big cooking pot with hot water. Plates of beef and vegetables are laid out around the pot. We pick up different food items and place them into the pot for cooking. Once cooked they are dunked into the luscious sesame seed sauce. We eat and eat, finally surrendering to the fullness. Then we have our final sharing time with John. This evening John talks with us in a humbleness that is so sweet we can only cry. In some ways it is Jesus talking to his disciples as he prepares to leave them. We are reminded that this is not good bye, so we practice staying present with the Traveler in our hearts. He is always with us. Though John will be traveling back to Los Angeles tomorrow, we have another full day in Japan. We go to our rooms for a night’s rest; there is more to come.
