Hello.

Since the last update, I have been pretty busy as usual, but this time I have managed to escape the bright lights of Tokyo and see some of the countryside. Having seen enough exhibitions and galleries to last me a life time, I was glad to be seeing something else for a change, and a does of Japanese heritage is just what the doctor ordered.We headed to a little town called Kamakura for our first stop, which was south of Tokyo about 1hr away. It was a pretty little place with lots of temples and was by the sea. We spent the day with a guide and watched the sunset on the beach before headed home. Then we really started our adventure, heading north towards a little town called Nagano. Famous for having had the winter Olympics there once upon a time. But, its main attraction was off course the temple. We attended a night ceremony no knowing what to expect, we lined up and waited to be blessed before entering the temple. We heard the clip clop of shoes (which sounded more like horse hoofs than anything else) to signal the arrival of the priest turning up in his very high traditional sandals. After 30mins of feet numbing sitting and praying, I felt at one with god. The next day was a trip to a monkey spring, famous for the snow monkeys that hang out in a natural hot spring basically. It was exciting to see them roaming around in the woods named Hell Valley, for some un known reason. I wouldn't like to be there in the dark, that's for sure. So anyway, that night, we got to experience our own bathing experience, an Onsen. They are traditional baths which you have to go in naked for. It took a bit of courage to bare all, especially in front of the other girls, but when I eventually did, I throw away my inhibitions and braved all. And what a liberating experience it was. So relaxing and mellow. I felt faint from the heat after about half and hour so didn't last long but it was great, especially after being in the chilly mountains all day. It kept me warm all night. Staying in a local Buddhist temple isn't exactly warm, so the extra heating did me well. The on to Takayama, another mountainous town. It was a popular destination with the tourists for its traditional wooden houses lining the old town. I ordered Hida beef one night, expecting a nice big steak and was surprised to be presented with a thin slice of raw meat. I braved it, just for the experience of it, seeing as it is said to be some of the best meat in Japan, and it was pretty delicious, although I don't think I'll make a habit of it! Next onto Kyoto for 4 days. It was just as I had dreamed of with the Geishas in Gion and the traditional wooden houses. I did have to block out some of the more modern high raised building so not to ruin my fantasy, but it was all there. Beautiful golden temples and Zen gardens, bamboo lined groves, and Ochayas serving sake to drunken men. It was just like Memoirs of a Geisha. My favourite destination by far and just oozing with textile inspiration for my work. We did a 4km work up and round a hill which was lined with shrines (torii gates which are like red gates). They are literally winding their way up and down the hills until you reach the top to see a marvellous view across all of Kyoto. Quite a feat to get up there and a bit of a well known pilgrimage too. We had completed the circuit by dusk and with our aching legs, we nursed them better with a trip to the pub in Gion!Finally, our last port of call was Hiroshima. We had all been intrigued to what Hiroshima would be like having heard about its history, and were surprisingly hip and cool. We found some nice hang outs and restaurants, in particular a place called Organ-za which was full of arty musicians playing arty music funnily enough. But was entertaining. However, obviously learning about what had happened when the atomic bomb was set off there was the most haunting of experiences. It was saddening to learn about the horrors of war and the effects of a bomb of that size. I truly emotionally draining day, hearing of the sadness, but I glad to have a better understanding of it and can only hope and pray it never happens again. To pick ourselves up, our final day of the trip was spent on a beautiful little island called Mijayama, which is popular with the Japanese for its floating Shrine on the water - which doesn't really float but just appears too. The island is filled with roaming deer's and the small little streets were quite enchanting. I headed up on the cable car to see the view of the turning leaves on the trees and to see the many islands dotted around the coastline. It was a perfect way to reminisce and to reflect on my tour around western Japan.I have grown to love Japan more each day and to understand its cultures and customs. People no longer look foreign to me like they did do to begin with as I have settled into Japanese life. It's now my last week of being here and I will be sad to return to England, but am excited about settling back into British life once and for all. So thanks Mr Paul Smith for this amazing opportunity, and I can't wait to get on and use all these ideas I've been collecting ready to put them into action in my work!So, that's it for now, come and see my show next summer to see my Japanese trip turned into fabric!Take care, Adele x x