Message from ablackwelder

[Anonymous]

Many thanks first to Clay and Miranda for making the arrangements to extend learning outside of the classroom midway through the seminar.
I had mixed feelings about the museum. Although I appreciated the scope of what was being covered historically and geographically, it was like a physical representation of trying to cover a thousand years of history in a 90 minute lecture... tough to do justice to the topic, or in this case the civilizations of East Asia and Oceania. On the other hand, the location was perfect for a short field trip with a well-behaved class. Also, the central courtyard was a fine place to relax, discuss impressions of the seminar thus far, and construct haiku with the lazy koi as inspiration.
Too bad the "cultural exploration bags" were nowhere to be found, even after an inquiry to the clerk in the gift shop. I left my cell number and have yet to be contacted on the whereabouts of the bags. Maybe next time I'm in the area...
I also saw in the brochure that a book signing of a recent haiku collection had just taken place at the site. While the gift store was out of that particular collection, I was redirected to a collection of the much lesser-known tanka style of Japanese poetry (5,7,5,7,7 pattern). Coincidentally, this collection was also signed by the author. Afternoon memories made as Connie and I shared selections on the bus ride to the temple, a wonderful finish to the first part of the day.