And who says magic doesn't exist?

I swear, New Year's in Japan is just an absolutely magical night. You go out, and it's the middle of the night and quiet and you're all alone, and then the bells start. These long, haunting bells that echo through the air and fade out into nothing. And sometimes they're coupled with drums that start out slow, and then go faster and faster and louder and louder all building up to that next chime.

And pretty soon you're not walking all by yourself anymore. There are other people on the street as well, a family here, a couple there, and then the streets are filled with people all going to the shrine, lining up to pray. Everyone coming together for this one moment. It doesn't last very long, but for as long as it does, it's beautiful.

And tonight we had the most amazing full moon overhead. It was so bright you could even make out the green of the trees on the hills. It was just amazing.

Happy New Year everyone.

DeleyanLee said:

We had one of those kinds of full moons here over the summer. Never saw a moon that totally bright before. I called my housemate and daughter out onto the porch and we just stood there, looking. House by house around us, people also came out on and looked around (probably being nebby 'cause we were doing it) until pretty much everyone was out and about. No talking, just quiet observation of something wonderful.

It would be totally awesome if it happened again tonight.

Thanks, Kaitie. Have a great 2010.

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I've never seen it before either. I was just amazed at it as I was walking around. I could see as well as I can during the day. I think it's because I'm not usually out late enough for the full moon to be that high in the sky. It was right overhead tonight.

Silver King said:

I was amazed also for a moment when I thought you meant you'd seen trees on the moon from that distance.

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LOL. Sorry, it was really late. My ability to make sense goes out the window after a certain point.

LOG said:

QFT

That sounds wonderful.
I kind of want to visit Japan, and Germany, and Mongolia, and some other places. But I'm too afraid. What if I accidentally do something that gets my hand lopped off? It's a bit late for diplomacy then...

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They don't lop of hands anymore in Japan. The worst you have to deal with here is attack by ninja. Okay, okay, so that's not true. You do have to worry about random Japanese people on the train practicing their English on you, but after awhile you can figure out in advance which ones will do that and avoid them. Besides, you have to be here for awhile for that to get annoying. It's actually a really safe place. Visit Kyoto and Nara if you get the chance. Tokyo is pretty overrated, but those two are more than worth it. And Nara has a deer garden!


</coward>

It's awesome. The entire center of the city is this huge park with holy deer and you can buy little biscuits to feed them and they mob you and chase you around. Very, very cool.

Seriously, if anyone has a chance to make it out to Japan and wants a tour guide to translate for them, let me know! I'd take an excuse to go out there again any day.

The antlers are quite effective. They are also trained to bow on command. (true fact! If I ever figure out how to do video you can see)