Serenity Now
Current location? A Shinto shrine. I find I'm always more comfortable visiting religious buildings based on Eastern religions than I am in churches. For starters, my view on churches/cathedrals is inclined toward the idea that having seen one, you've seen them all. But shrines and temples seem to have individual personalities.

And maybe some of the difference arises from a general cultural identity, but I think it's also a matter of the thoughts they inspire. In a cathedral, I get thoughts like, "okay, so God is awesome and huge, like this building." And that tends to inspire at least a little fear. But in a Buddhist temple, I get a sense of peace and harmony; I feel like I'm supposed to relax.

But I don't get their rules. "No cameras," I get. But "no sketching"? What's that about? And since sketching outside is allowed, what's to stop me from sketching from a fresh memory?

Also, Starbucks has branded mugs they use for stay-in orders. My dad says it's the same way in Taiwan.
- posted by roger @ 3:05 PM