day 4

As I told you last night, today was a busy day. It started out with a Gospel Blues Breakfast at the Fairmont Hotel. The breakfast, itself, was only fair to middlin', but the Gospel singer and the pianist were terrific! As I was listening to her, I was thinking what a wonderful way it was to start the day. I deciced I needed to take picture of her (in the event I EVER figure out how to get my pictures on my blog!)

The breakfast ended at 8:20 and I had to be in front of the convention center, about 2 miles away by 8:30 to leave on the Interfaith Exploration Tour. So...I gathered up all my stuff and practically ran over to the convention center. Then when I got on the bus, it dawned on me that I had not picked up the camera (not my camera - Dusty's camera!) I had one of the docents call over to the Fairmont for me to alert them that the camera was there. We left my cell phone number for them to call me when they found it. Even though someone on the tour had offered to email me the pictures they took on the tour, I couldn't really relax all day.

Even so, the tour was great. We first went to a Sikh House of Worship called Sikh Gurdwara. Sikh means student oir learner and Gurdwara means House of God. For his group of people what is most important is that they be hospitable. Even though they had been tole we had already eaten breakfast and that our lunch was planned, they insistd on feeding us. It was explained to us that everyday someone has signed-up to bring food to the temple for their guests.

Our next stop was the Muslim Community Association Mosque and School. The congregation of this Mosque is made up of over 40 different nationalities - a true reflection, we were told, of the make-up San Jose. This group, too, was hospitable and welcoming. It was here that we ate lunch. Then at 1:30 we were invited to go with them as they went for theie noon prayers.

Our last stop was the Buddhist Church Betsuin. Here we were introduced to the style of worshp which includes "smells (incense), bells (gong), and chants (in Japanese)". The minister explained that their worship services seek to invoke all five of the senses.

By 4:15 when we returned to the Convention Center, we were all pretty wornn out. I went back to my room for a bit, then returned to the Fairmont for a play called "The Name of the Rain" which was a moving portrayal of the days many people spent in shelters in Louisianna following following Hurricane Katrina.

I have lots of show and tells for you from my adventures today. AND I checked at the desk both before and after the play and they STILL didn't have my camera! I will check at the GA lost and found at the Convention Center tomorrow. Surely, it will be there - dont'cha think?!

Talk with you tomorrow.