250 Years Back in Time

You may have read about our recent road trip to Magome and Tsumago in Marissa's blog at www.stillgotsandinmyshoes.blogspot.com, but I thought I'd give my two cents on the trip as well. She did such a great job of describing our adventures in to what a Japanese town looked, felt, and tasted like 250 years ago that I can only echo her excitement in experiencing this. This first picture is of the Ryokan where we stayed. The second pic is of me trying to get some of that sweet moutain goodness. The next is of Maris and I hiking on the trail between the two towns. What struck me most about our transport back in time was how far ahead they were in regards to being green. Now adays it's the 'in' thing to be concerned for our environment. Going green is a way to attract consumers, employees, clients, and even votes (ahem, reformed republicans are even embracing the fad to hug a tree).























But for these post towns in Japan, going green is not an ephiphany, it's not an fad, it's not even something to debate. Being green has been a means of survival, a way of life-finding a way to coexist with the resources around them so both man and nature can flourish. The operation of the home as well as the community illuminated the efficiency and sense of respect the Japanese have for mother nature. Sure, now they have light bulbs instead of candles, gas stoves instead of fire, and rely on Caterpillars instead of mules, but they are still very consciencious of the use of these resources, especially water. They seemed to have mastered how to harness (and enjoy- check out this indoor bath) its power. Water wheels are still being used by many homes to generate a means to produce flour and textiles, collected rain water seemed to be integrated into a simple yet effective irrigation system, and the water running down from the mountains provided clean, crisp, and tasty water that you can't even guarantee from a Poland Springs bottle. We even stumbled upon a fish farm that used some pipes from a natural pool next to the property to funnel in water through a set of gates and fences with each section holding different size fish.

Mark has been gone for only three weeks but for some reason this time around feels like a lifetime. It was so refreshing to get out of the city and into the foothills of nature. Miles and miles of terrace farmed mountain sides, bamboo forests, snow capped peaks, and a great co-pilot made for exactly what the mind and soul needed.