I am sure I am not the first person to say that to you, though perhaps I am the first to not be drunkenly shouting it at your face. (If your night was as hard as I imagine it, perhaps you should read about how tea helps with a hangover). But I say it nonetheless.
I am not young. You have no doubt realized this by my extreme tea knowledge and wisdom (if not by incredibly wrinkled face and beard that stretches almost to my knees these days). So I cannot say that it delights me to see that another year has passed. But the future does indeed look bright, and I look forward to sharing it with you.
As your beloved trainer in the Way of Tea, I just thought I might share something i saw in the paper this morning as I was having my Earl Grey Tea. (If you ever tell the Earl of Grey I sometimes drink his tea, I will deny it. This is a secret, and I will not feed that brute’s ego further.)
It seems that in an exotic place called Plaistow, New Hampshire, some middle schoolers have decided to honor their elders and to let them know how appreciated they are, by serving them tea.
As you are no doubt aware, this day is not special to every single part of the world except the United States. And no one celebrates it in any other countries except the American who happen to be there, nevertheless, as my American tea students have begged and begged, they will not be meditating on the tiny molecules of tea permeating their tea cuptoday. They will instead be eating and talking about the things they are thankful for.
And while as far as my students are concerned, this is just an excuse not to study and train, to you I will admit this one thing: it is not altogether an unfruitful practice to remember the things which make one happy, and to acknowledge their existence and your gratitude for it. And in that spirit, let me tell you something for which I am thankful: a little bit of peace and quiet.
Your more modern ways are strange and unusual to me, but I am a man that can adapt. I have not lived so long without understanding new steps in culture. I love my magnetized stick you call a compass. I use it often when hiking through the mountains in search of new crops of tea.
I have been looking at this screen for a while, hitting the letters to spell out “TEA” every few seconds, and it seems something new comes up every time. But this most recent movie that came up was entertaining, and so I have instructed my faithful servant Oolong to place it here so that you may see.
This young girl with her strange accent seems to know a lot about science and physics. I especially admire the way she doesn’t waste the precious tea leaves, instead freeing them from the tea bag so that they may expand much more easily in the teapot. This will make for a superior cup of tea later, I guarantee.
This young one, she is going places. I must extend an invitation to her so that she may visit my Tea Temple. She clearly has the gift.
I do so appreciate your attention and care as you study the many aspects of the Way of Tea. I know that in my constant instruction and general testiness when it seems you don’t know why rooibos teais called red tea, and other basic facts that you should certainly know by now, I sometimes forget to tell you that I am proud of you. My heart sometimes swells up like a used teabag at the thought of how much you continue to grow.
Forgive me if I am overly sentimental. I seem to be out of my morning black tea today, and I am missing it a bit, feeling a bit emotional. I do so love black tea, you know. I love its brisk flavor, so rich and strong. I love every kind of black tea, from the flowery and fruity teas like Crimson Rose andPassion Fruit, to the spicy and nutty taste of the Masala Chai and Cinnamon Spice.
You have all grown so much in these past few months under my Tea tutelage. I am quite proud of how far you’ve come. When I first met you, you didn’t know a tea leaf from a bay leaf, or the difference between loose teaand a loose knot. Why, you still thought tea was just a letter in the alphabet! Ha! We laugh about it now. But it was quite pathetic.
I wanted to tell you about an old expression relating to tea, that you will perhaps find enlightening. It is quite deep. And it has come into the popular spotlight quite recently, so now is a good time to enlighten you.
I was not always a tea master. I once was a young tea student. I once lived only on pizza and thought I never needed sleep. I wanted to rebel against the Man. I was not concerned with my health, thinking I could live forever (even without the health benefits of green tea and the rest of the teas). I once had to make teawith the loose leaves that I picked myself, because I could not afford to buy them. So I know what it is like to be low on funds.
I know times are hard economically right now. Many of my students cannot afford to buy new tea every day. I will share with you the piece of tea advice that I share with them when times are hard. Are you ready to gain some tea wisdom?
Oh my diligent tea students, I am feeling quite nostalgic as I sip my organic oolong tea. The strong aroma does take me back to my younger days, and thought I continue to feel young due to the almost magical effects of tea. But that’s not what I am talking about. You see, coming up in Japan, some tea houses are going to hold what cold be the largest tea ceremony ever.
On October 25 and 26, in Hamarikyu Gardens in the Chuo Ward will play host to a ceremony that will be celebrated by something like 8,000 people. 8,000 people will be taking tea, being a part of the Tokyo Grand Tea Ceremony. This is quite an amazing thing, tea students. I should not have to tell you that.
Forgive me if I am slower today as I impart wisdom unto you. The path to the Perfect Pot sometimes winds in directions one does not expect.
Last night, we graduated a new class of Tea Masters. And after the big Tea Ceremony, there was a bit of celebration. And as a result, this morning, old Master Amanzi isn’t feeling that “tea makes you feel young forever” feeling I’ve taught you so much about. Not to worry however, for I shall incorporate it into today’s lesson. How tea can help with a hangover.
