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Tea Time

After working in the gardens, pulling weeds for a few hours, the monks all break for tea. It is hot, so we have iced tea. Very civilized. Even here, protocol is strictly observed, with the novice, Gyo-san, serving tea and cakes to everyone else. You don't reach for a cake or ask for more tea. Gyo-san keeps his eyes open and continues to serve.

Mind me, we are certainly not as cultured as the women in kimonos on the previous post (June 5), but perhaps I should have learned some of those manners my mother gave up trying to teach me. Well, they probably wouldn't have helped anyway.

Japan text