The beauty of this temple, which I will locate the name of later, is indescribabe.... but I will try. We took a taxi here from our hotel, as it was not within walking distance. Every part of this temple is filled with natural beauty, and there is a peacefulness here that I found most embraceable and memorable. Beautiful pools filled with fish and water lilies, as well as many sculptures in and around the water. The incense is palpable and remained in my senses hours after we left this temple. There are paths that reveal portions of the beauty, a little at a time. As with all Chinese art, the beauty is shown never in its wholeness, but part by part. As we journeyed around the garden, more and more loveliness was revealed. This is a place devoted to Daoism and Confucianism.
Prior to entering the temple area, we discovered many stalls of fortune tellers. They were there to assist one in making major decisons in one's life... and also to give readings of palms and faces. We found a very old man, a former school teacher, who spoke English. I had my palm read, which he did with both his naked eye and a magnifying glass. Some of his findings were as follows: that I will have a very long life, that there will be "accidents" along the way, but I will survive each of them just fine. He told me I do not need to worry. That I need to think less. That my health will become a bit of an issue, but that I should help that circumstance by eaating even more fruits and vegetables and only chicken and fish. No cow or pig for me. He told me that I was strong, and a person of good character. He commented on my "smile face" and said that is a good way to live, a life with less worry and "more enjoy." He reminded me to be good to Scott and Scott to be good to me. And then he broke into song, la-la-ing "Red River Valley, " which we ended up singing together. Far away from home, we sang this shared melody.... Yes, a beautful day of temple, palm reading, and singing. Music is indeed the universal language...
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