The right turn

This was my last evening in Japan, and I was sad to be saying my final goodbyes to my friends before making my way back to my little Ryokon. I was also a bit anxious, because earlier in the week I had gotten thoroughly lost in the narrow winding streets around Kyoto University.

Fortunately, the previous evening my friends had pointed out a small Buddhist shrine that marks the proper turn to take off the main road. Wanting to make sure I had the correct directions this time, I said: “When I see the Buddha, I should take the right turn. Is that it?”

One of my friends looked at me a moment, and then replied: “You know, that’s a good philosophy for life.”

2 thoughts on “The right turn”

  1. One of my favorite poems is about Kyoto. The translation is something like:
    Even when I am in Kyoto
    A bird cries
    and I long for Kyoto.

    It’s the kind of place you feel nostalgic for even while you’re still there. (I spent two years in Japan.)

  2. Well if it would make you feel better, I did get lost in Manhattan!! and there was no budda to guide my way… 🙁

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *