Japanese Garden

                                          A Fabulous Garden

Oriental gardens are fascinating to visit, but I highly recommend one pick up a docent if at all possible because there is so much symbolism involved in such gardens and so much to learn.  Over the years I have visited several great gardens, including a fabulous one in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. However, I have extensive notes from a couple of visits to the lovely garden in Portland, Oregon so that is the garden I’ll reference.

     Designed in 1963 and opened in 1967, this haven of tranquil beauty has been proclaimed one of the most authentic Japanese gardens outside of Japan.

     The five and half acres encompass five traditional and separate garden styles. At the three entrance doors of the garden the center gate is tallest to allow people on horseback to enter. A guardhouse for the samurai warriors flanks each side of the entrance. Just through the gates two large stone guard dogs keep away evil spirits.

     The first thing one sees after entering the garden is a superby, which is a stone basin of water for washing. Superby means crouching down.  A large flat stone nearby  holds any gear one might have brought with him. Greenery and sculptured bushes surround the entire area and immediately one feels the calm and tranquility-–just a short distance from the bustling city.

     All Japanese gardens contain three basic components: stone forms the structure, water is its lifeblood, and plants are the tapestry of the season. Secondary features include lanterns, pagodas, and bridges, all of which enhance the garden.

     Pine trees represent strength, cranes good fortune. Asymmetry and balance are important aspects as the purpose of a Japanese garden is to  create calmness, escape, peacefulness, harmony and to put one near nature.

     Here the tiles for all the roofs of the buildings in the garden were made in Japan. Roofs always curve upward at the end on Japanese buildings, because evil spirits can only follow a straight line so they flow right past the curve and disappear.

     The frequent technique of ‘hide and reveal’ was explained at a waterfall. The top of the fall and the pond were hidden, but the fall itself was revealed.

     Thirty lanterns and pagodas are scattered throughout the gardens. Although the garden has several different types of lanterns, the snow lantern is the most common one used in gardens. Since evil spirits follow only straight lines the zigzag wooden bridge through the iris beds lead you from one pond garden to another. Often curved bridges are used in gardens to span small streams, again the curve thwarting the evil spirits.

     The Flat Garden uses a sea of raked sand. The gourd represents happiness and the circle represents a raindrop or a fish poking his head through the water.  The Dry Gardens  are interesting and the most abstract of Japanese garden forms. The one here was Zen Buddhist inspired. Dense grainy sand is raked into designs and it is amazing how the sand holds its shape after being raked.

     A pagoda is the focal point in the Strolling Pond Garden, the largest of the gardens. The stones at the base of the pagoda are in the shape of a Japanese island and one pink stone marks the spot on the island of Portland’s sister city that donated the pagoda.

    The teahouse, built in Japan, was taken apart, shipped to Oregon and reassembled. It is put together with wooden pegs, no nails. It is situated in the Tea Garden which is divided into an outer and inner garden.

     The Natural garden winds down a hillside past ponds, waterfalls, shallow streams, and gorgeous plantings to a tile roofed gazebo inviting one to sit and reflect.  It was so peaceful we hated to leave and venture out into the busy city.

Some Swiss Foods

                                                   Some Swiss Foods

     Switzerland offered many new food delights. Rosti, a shredded potato shaped similar to a hash-brown, is fried with a bit of onion and served with melted cheese. There are many variations to this dish. I learned that a scallop has nothing to do with fish. A Swiss scallop is a meat similar to a pork or veal chop.

     Soups are creamy or clear but never chunky. Clear soup was broth-type  with tiny pieces of shredded veggies floating on top. Other soups were creamy and often green in color, although they are not anything like a pea soup. All veggies are pureed before making a soup.

     Knocchi is a spoon-size potato dumpling. It is often covered with a mushroom sauce topped with tiny pieces of nut and specks of spinach.

     It is not unusual to see horse on a Swiss menu.  I can’t remember the name of it, but be assured that horses are bred and grown for their meat, just as we do the same with cattle.

    Macaroni and cheese is a bit different. Small chunks of potato are added  and a white cheese is used to make the sauce. It is served with a spoonful of sautéed onion on top. Applesauce is served on the side, which seemed like a strange combination to me but of course kids love it.

    Salads come a couple of ways. A green salad is exactly that---a bowl full of mixed greens. One must order a mixed salad if you want anything but greens, and it will come with mounds of different julienne vegetables around the outside of the plate. Beets and corn are often included.

You have to mix the salad yourself and they are always served with mild Italian-like dressing.

 Bread is usually served before a meal, but it is eaten dry. No butter in sight. 

    Ah, the yummy cheese fondue.  The well-known Swiss dish needs no explanation. On one hiking trip our  guide hosted a fondue party for our small group. It even tastes better when you make it yourself and the empty dishes attested to that!