We're driving along a winding road that rose higher and higher from the ocean until we were in the mountains. They weren't mammoth like the Rockies, just gentle rises. The road was lined with majestic Cedar trees and in between the trees were waves of azalea blossoms. All of a sudden, on my left, I saw a vision of a mountain that looked as if it floated in the air, descended from heaven, the base of it hidden by clouds. Mt. Fuji.
"I never thought I'd be so awestruck," said Steve Henrikson. "I grew up in the mountains of BC and I lived in Europe. I thought Mt. Fuji would not impress me. But it does."
Steve was right, but it goes beyond impressing. I was rendered speechless for a moment. It's certainly not the largest mountain you'll ever see, but it will definitely be one of the most beautiful. Shorter, more rounded mountains are on either side of Fuji, but because of the clouds surrounding its base, Fuji stands alone. It has a gentle slope to it, not rugged, and its snow cap glistens in the sun that is peeking out from behind a cloud and shines only on Fuji. And in front of Fuji is a lake with a little village nestled beside it.
We took a million photos of the mountain but none of them even come close to demonstrating the wonder and awe this mountain has invoked in us.
We took a Rope-eh-way ( the Japanese pronounce every syllable in a word so rope-way became rope-eh-way)to the top of a nearby smaller mountain. After twenty minutes a mist rose from the lake in front of us. Gradually, the tree covered mountains on the other side of the lake became a blur of green.
I turned to Mt. Fuji. Clouds now circled the top of it, making it look as if it donned a halo. Then a cloud descended over the snow cap and rolled around the middle of Fuji, and after another twenty minutes Fuji was gone. All that could be seen was a massive gray cloud and a gentle rain had begun to fall.
We were told that Fuji did not appear again for another three days, an occurrence that is very common. Our tour guide said that it is very rare for Mt. Fuji to be so clear for so long, the way it was when we saw it. We were blessed.
I found it quite difficult to fathom that Mt. Fuji is still considered an active volcano and that the area is plagued by earthquakes!
After our descent we took a boat ride in the lake. The lake cuts right through the lower graded mountains that looked more like fjords to me. But the mist had set in and the clouds had covered the sky and the never ending mountains turned into an infinity of grays and dark blues.
And again we were overwhelmed by the beauty of the land and the incredible feeling of serenity and peace that pervaded over us. It's a feeling that I never experience in North America. In fact, the only other place I have had that sensation was in Maui, on the road to Hana.
And on that boat I quickly realized that this serenity and sense of inner peace was something I desperately needed to find at home.
It is now my most earnest quest.

We spent three days in Kyoto and I have to say, this city stole my heart. It has a population of over 500,000 but you would never know it. The mountains surround Kyoto and I got the feeling that I was safe so long as I stayed within those walls of mountains. Every corner and every street has flowers and quaint lights and statues. The river that runs through Kyoto winds in and between the different districts of the city and the riverbanks are encased in cherry trees. Beautiful bridges join the two sides of the city.
People have told me that Kyoto is the soul of Japan and I can see why. It is such a diverse city! Kyoto is the cultural centre of Japan, famous for their formal Kimonos and beautifully crafted dolls. It also has a movie studio, castles, and so many shrines and temples! The Golden Pavillion, the Silver Pavillion, the Path of the Philosopher and its many temples and shrines certainly enveloped one in serenity and beauty.
The Path of the Philosopher was the epitome of serenity and life simplistic. We passed restaurants and tea houses where travellers were greeted by women in kimonos. Little artist's shops adorned the banks of the canal we walked by. We spent hours walking the Path of the Philosopher, all the way from the top of the mountain where the Silver Pavillion sat so majestically, to the Zen temple, a block away from the Gion District. Will said it was one of his favourite parts of the trip.
Kyoto's gardens for me, however, were the most spectacular with colour and design, and they demonstrated what seems to be an urgent need for the Japanese to be surrounded by all things beautiful. I have never seen such beauty in gardens before, there was an ethereal quality to them. They were truly inspired by a higher being, not of this world. Mirror Lake's name was perfectly apt, for at the Golden Pavillion, even on a cloudy day, it shimmered with the image of the Pavillion and its surrounding trees, as if one were looking in a large mirror.
Trees that were hundreds of years old embraced the area. Other ponds abounded with pink and white water lillies while the banks were encased with purple irises. And green moss covered the ground wherever there wasn't a plant. Why do I mention the colour of the moss? Because, there is green and then there is green. Hundreds of different types of mosses, all of them a variant shade of lush velvety green.
And then there were the people. This was one area of Japan where people actually seemed happy - except in the Gion District. Geishas are now called Geikos because they are no longer owned by a man and they can own their own businesses and properties. Their lives are still ruled by traditions, however, the tea ceremony, dancing, music playing - and whatever - is all that they know and it's all that they do. Although, some of them have now expanded and own bars, restaurants and hotels. But when you look at their faces there is an unhappiness there. The eyes don't smile. But they are, nonetheless very proud to be geikos. Geikos describe themselves as demonstrating the 'art of femininity.' That I believe. I felt like the Incredible when standing next to them.
But at the Anime studio it was all giggles and smiles and innocence. I loved watching the Japanese kids interact with each other. They are far more innocent than their counterparts in Canada and they seemed a lot happier. Maybe because they knew what was expected of them and there were no difficult choices for them to make. Their parents made them all. Something to be said for that I think.
I've been many places and I have to say if I had to choose another place to live, Kyoto would definitely be a consideration.