Travel: Japan (Home)
Travel: Japan – Osaka (Day 9)
Day nine of Japan started with a nine-hour nap. That was absolutely brilliant. Afterward, I got up and started moving. I had a nice breakfast downstairs, and then it was time for church.
I had the option of attending an English language service, but I chose a Japanese one instead. I wanted the experience of it. The rhythm of the service is the same and they provided me a bulletin in English so that I could follow along with the lessons. It worked out just fine. It was beautiful. I wish I knew what the priest was saying because he was very excited about it. Regardless, his enthusiasm was catching, and I felt like I had definitely heard a good sermon.
The church, Holy Family / Catholic Osaka Umeda Church, was built in 2011.
The works in the church were produced by Cecco Bonaotte, and the design of the church was done by his son, Pier Paolo Maria Bonanotte.
This church was planned by 5 churches in umeda area, Osaka. It is a four-story complex facility, produces an impressive space with the fusion of tradition and modernity. In other stories of the building, there are the satellite campus of Sophia University, the bookstore of Sanpaolo, which deals with the books of Catholic and so on.
Utilizing the natural light, the pure white church marvelously brings out the grace and lightness of the bronze sculpture by Bonanotte.
The sanctuary was quite full (I was the only non-Japanese), and the congregation was very welcoming. If you find yourself in Osaka, I can highly recommend Holy Family to you.
Oh… I don’t know what kind of wafers they used for Mass, but they were “different.” I may have to try and find them for St. Matthew’s. Definitely not your standard styrofoam.
After all that work, It was time for an early afternoon snack. I went to my local favorite—Minori. Enid does not need another Mexican restaurant. It needs an Açai Bowl restaurant!
After a brief rest, I headed back out. While wandering the city, I bumped into something and can’t seem to get it off my arm. Very strange. Maybe it’ll wash off tomorrow.
Being Sunday night and all, I thought the city would be quieter. That was not the case. I suppose they are getting in every minute of the weekend before back to work.
And, if you stand in this one spot for long enough, the camera comes on and your up on the big screen. Yes. I’m a dork, and stood there and took a picture of me taking a picture of myself.
That is all for today, my Japan virtual companions. Tomorrow is my last day here, and I have only one item remaining on my Japan itenerary. Am I ready to come home? I suppose I probably am. I miss you all and I miss The Queen. So, for now, I’ll leave you with this thought…
. 🤪 .
Travel: Trondheim 2
A beautiful day for walking around the city. It started off in an12th century church, made a deviation into some level of hell, and came out the other side with a delicious espresso.
Vår Frue Kirke (The Church of Our Lady) is only a block from the hotel and is one of the oldest buildings in Trondheim, with parts of the building dating back to the 12th century. It now functions as a church, but also community outreach center for the poor. It is sponsored by the Cathedral.
I saw some pictures of the next stop, about a half mile further, and decided it might be interesting.
Oh.
My.
Goodness!
It was worth the trip to Trondheim. The Salamandernatten (The Salamander Night).
The Salamander Night is an art installation made by Trondheim artist Kjell Erik Killi Olsen for Sao Paulo’s biennial anniversary in Brazil in 1989. The installation is comprised of 72 sculptures, all of which are more than 3 metres high (about 10 feet). The Salamander Night was presented as a gift to Trondheim municipality by the artist in 2007. This wonderful piece of art may be seen in the premises of the bank “Sparebank1 Midt-Norge” in Sendre gate.
The light is quite low, so those pictures that are bright are adjusted or I used a flash so that you could see the sculptures.
Made a short video for your viewing pleasure. The sounds are from the cafe above, but they do add a bit of ambiance.
Fortunately, there were other exhibits in the same location that weren’t as freaky (sarcasm alert).
The 12th century church ruins are the remains of a Romanesque stone church. The church had an underground crypt, a very rare element in Nordic churches. Such crypts have normally had a cultic function in connection with saint worship and functioned as a place of pilgrimage.
As luck would have it, they kept the “saint” around.
And they gave him/her a few companions.
Nevermore… moving on to a happier little bird in another exhibit. I loved the shadows. It is part of the series Twelve Stories by Nils Aas.
After all that, I moved outdoors and crossed the Blomsterbrua (Flower Bridge) and entered Solsiden (The Sunny Side), the trendy happening section of town that is next to the harbor.
It was quiet this morning, and after a bit I stopped for an espresso (perhaps the best I’ve ever had, and that’s saying something because I’ve had plenty.) A little place called Dromedar Kaffebar.
I bought some beans to bring home and hope to find out how to order more.
On the way back to the hotel, I found the second bridge that I was looking for (had no idea I was interested in bridges.)
Gamle Bybro (The Old Town Bridge) was first built on this site in 1681, at the same time as Kristiansten Fortress was constructed. A sentry and excise house stood at either end of the bridge. The excise house on the western side is still standing and is used as a kindergarten. The bridge and gates as they now stand were built in 1861.
From the center of the bridge is the quintessential Norwegian photo op.
On the way back, I passed through the square and said, “Hello,” to Olaf. He holds up the dove (peace), but also carries a sword. I suppose he is saying, “It’s your call.”
This is likely my last travel post for a while. I’ve got some other writing that I want to work on… I had started a dystopian novel, but Miss Avery (I hope she lives through this one) insisted that I write of Dean Anthony’s most recent adventure. Will there be a murder? Where? Who done it? Working title: The Forty-Seventh Wife. It’ll probably stick.
And, for the record, I’ll be looking over my shoulder for a while.
Journal Prompt: Week Eight
Please comment below. When I return, we’ll combine some of your journal entries with mine and produce a printed journal of our adventure.
WEEK EIGHT PROMPT
St. Irenaeus writes, “For the glory of God is a living man; and the life of man consists in beholding God.” The glory you have isGod and is of God. Without Him, you are……. nothing. You may claim worldly glory, but that is less than dirty rags. (cf. Isaiah 64.6) How will you reflect God’s glory.
Travel: Trondheim 1
Some days you go to church, other days are something of a conversion experience. Today was the latter. My seat for the Mass (although they don’t call it that here.)
There were two stations to receive Communion. One on the floor, standing, and you intincted. The other was at the high altar… each person receives a small silver chalice. You go and kneel at the altar, the priest places the host in your hands, you eat, then, the deacon comes and pours a small amount of white wine in your personal chalice. If you have to guess as to which way I went, you don’t know me very well. The choir—about 40 members—were singing something, I was receiving, and… they got it right. Beautiful. Again, all in Norwegian and I didn’t understand a word, but I did know the flow. In addition, the entire service was printed in the bulletin, so I could follow along. Lovely. The choir—I’m guessing paid—was amazing.
Following the service, I went for a coffee and a cookie, then began looking around. The first is a view from the back, the second, a view from the front.
Yes. It is startling in every aspect. A few more views from different angles throughout.
I then went up. 172 steps up a very narrow, claustrophobia inducing spiral staircase and you reach the top. Spectacular. I forgot to take a picture of the staircase, so stole one from the internet. The views were amazing.
This is “perhaps” the tomb of St. Olaf. During the reformation, much was removed, so there is no certainty as to which tomb is his. Silly Lutherans. Historians will tell us that Olaf was no real saint, but don’t say that too loudly amongst these people.
A chapel in the undercroft.
I’ve just begun reading The Kingsbridge Series (Pillars of the Earth is book 3.) I thought of it when I came across this series of models, showing the evolution of the cathedral.
I also had the opportunity to see the crown jewels of Norway. You are not allowed to take pictures, so I borrowed these from the web. What I was able to see were the real thing.
There is just entirely too much to show here. I spent about six hours in the cathedral and museums and didn’t even begin to touch on it all. I hope to show more pictures later.
My attempt at artistic photography.
Now we see in a mirror dimly. There is only one who is seen clearly. One who is True. One who is Life.
Stations of the Cross
National Cathedral in Trondheim, Norway
You have to study them, but I found them absolutely fascinating.
Häkon Bleken’s Crossroads series
in Nidaros Cathedral. The Stations of the Cross is a series of pictures about the story of Jesus’ suffering and was originally created for St. Olav Cathedral in 1975.
I. Jesus Condemned to death
II. Jesus is made to carry His cross
III. Jesus falls the first time
IV. Jesus meets His sorrowful mother
V. Simon of Cyrene helps Jesus to carry His cross
VI. Veronica wipes the face of Jesus
VII. Jesus falls the second time
VIII. The women of Jerusalem weep over Jesus
IX. Jesus falls the third time
X. Jesus is stripped of His garments
XI. Jesus is nailed to the cross
XII. Jesus is raised upon the cross and dies
XIII. Jesus is taken from the cross and given to his mother
XIV. Jesus is laid in the tomb
XV. Jesus is resurrected
Travel: Bergen to Trondheim 2
What an amazing trip along the coast aboard the Vesterålen.
I thankfully did not have any issues with sea sickness, but it sure feels strange being back on dry land! I’m on the third floor of a hotel and it feels as though it is rocking more than the boat. I’m guessing it’ll settle down this evening.
Just more amazing sites here.
We made a stop in Ålesund. There was a devastating fire in 1904 that destroyed most of the city.
We were back to sea at 8 p.m. for the remainder of the voyage to Trondheim.
I waited for the sun to peak out from behind the mountain on the left and then tried to catch it in the center of the valley before it went back behind the mountain on the right. It was less than a minute.
I got up at 12:30 a.m. in order to get these next photos. Learned that this is nautical twilight.
In general, the term nautical twilight refers to sailors being able to take reliable readings via well known stars because the horizon is still visible, even under moonless conditions. Absent fog or other restrictions, outlines of terrestrial objects may still be discernible, but detailed outdoor activities are likely curtailed without artificial illumination.
If I understand it correctly, when there is a nautical twilight from sunset to sunrise, it is called a white night, which this was.
A short ways off the dock in Trondheim is Munkholmen (Monk’s Island) and it has colorful history.
Munkholmen Island was Trondheim’s execution site in the Viking era. Benedictine monks built a monastery on the island in the early 11th century, probably one of the earliest monasteries in Scandinavia. In 1658 it was converted into a prison and fortress, and later a customs house. Its most famous inmate was the Danish Count Peder Griffenfeld, who spent 18 years as a prisoner there.
And then there is Trondheim.
I’ll tell more about the city tomorrow, but since I arrived at 9:45 a.m., my hotel room was not yet ready, so I made a visit to the National Cathedral where St. Olaf is buried. I want my first experience of the interior to be tomorrow at the Mass, so I wandered around the grounds. The pictures do not do it justice. I am very thankful that the reformers didn’t destroy it during their iconoclastic madness (although they did do some damage.)
The detail is stunning. Here is a closeup of one small piece.
I plan on spending most of the day here tomorrow, between the Mass, touring the church, museum, and climbing one of the towers. Hopefully there’s a quiet corner to pray the Rosary.
Fiddled with the lighting on the camera with this one.
That is all for now. Pray you all are staying safe back home with all the storms.
Still no need for another haircut.
Travel: Bergen to Trondheim 1
Just a brief update here and maybe it will post. The Internet connection is not all that great. Not necessarily a bad thing.
The boat trip is amazing. The food is… I will have gained 10 pounds in 30 hours. This morning we left the safety of the fjords and entered the Norwegian Sea. For about an hour, we became the ayatollah of rock ‘n’ rolla. There were very few people at breakfast.
It is 7:45 AM. I will arrive in Trondheim in about 24 hours. Hope you have a great day. 
Travel: Bergen 4
One of the things I’ve wanted to do for a long time is see the fjords in Norway, and today was the day. What a glorious time aboard the Rygersol ferry from Bergen to Mostraumen.
Every trip begins somewhere and this one began pulling out of the harbor. That is the Fish Market in the center.
Once you clear the harbor, they kick the boat into high gear.
This morning when I walked outside, I decided I didn’t need a jacket. Note to self: take a jacket when traveling on the fjords. There is a very comfortable indoor compartment, but outdoors it is very windy. Saw one pair of glasses go flying off the back of the boat and I’m certain there were a few lost hats. If this happens, you’ll never see it again—the Osterfjorden reaches a depth of 2,096 feet (the deepest fjord is the Sognefjord and reaches a depth of 4,291 feet.) If the fjord is connected to the ocean, it will be saltwater, but the interior small ones are often fresh. Today, the temperature of the water was 44°.
When you reach Paddøy Island, the fjord begins to quickly narrow.
From here, the mountains begin to rise like walls along the way.
I saw several waterfalls. The two largest were at Mostraumen.
Mostraumen.
I’ve no idea what was going on, but as I was walking back to the hotel, a small military parade passed. they seem to be quite young, so perhaps it was a local school.
This is my last day in Bergen. Tomorrow, I’ll… tell you about it then. I give Bergen very high marks. Quiet, clean, and much to see. When the cruise ships show up, it can get a bit crowded with tourists, but they eventually give the all aboard signal and things settle down again.
If there is one thing I am missing about my recent travels, it is experiencing a culture that is very different from my own. Most of what I’ve experienced in Europe feels like almost any city/town at home. The smaller towns in Spain were a bit different, but still, the people… we are all westernized. I have made a mental note that future travels will be more about engaging and experiencing people/cultures that are very different from my own. Don’t think I’m being critical here. Absolutely not! I wouldn’t change a thing (except the stupid foot), it is just that the world is so full and rich, and I would like to see more than myself.
Pray you are well. I’ll see you at the next destination.
Candle in a Cave 