Monks at lunch
(Monks lunching: Jing’An Temple, Shanghai)
From the top tier of the temple, we could look over the courtyard in front, over the people burning incense, or out the back where an open construction site was full of workers, beetling around. From one of the sides, we noticed these monks, polishing off their rice or washing their bowls after lunch. It’s amazing to see that amongst the noise here and the constant feverish movement of the city, these Buddhist monks can seek enlightenment here.
I know relatively little of Buddhism, though I understand that one gives up most material possessions – except mobile phones, it seems. While washing dishes in the outside air is pleasant, if not too warm now, I imagine the same procedure holds in winter when surely the taps must freeze. In Suzhou every winter, it dips to a chilly minus five degrees or so for most of the time. I’m looking forward to some slightly cooler weather, to be honest! This heat is bearable for a time, but my body is saying “no!” to the climate once again, creating another lethargic weekend.
In case you don’t know, we return to the UK tomorrow. These weeks have flown by so quickly, yet in one way, I feel I have been here for months. Having just really settled, it seems a perfect time to stay; I’ve not suffered heavily from homesickness and I don’t miss the food or tea with milk. This first stint has been difficult in terms of adjusting to a new lifestyle, but this flat has developed into a proper home which I shall be sorry to leave. However, London, Carlisle, then Glasgow beckon, and I am excited to be reunited with all three.
I intend to continue writing posts and putting up pictures whilst in the UK for a few weeks, though I may put up just one per day. I have created a vast backlog of images that I still wish to write about. Then, once I return here again, the process will start afresh! There may be a lapse in posts over the next couple of days due to being in transit, but I will try to write them and put them on timed release – but being an analogue girl, there’s always a chance I’ll sow chaos instead.
