DAY 01. Laughing Man

The sound of a clanging bell woke me from a deep, jet-lagged sleep. It was 5:30 am. I put on my navy blue linen temple clothes. Outside, I was met by a heavy mountain mist that blanketed the temple grounds. I heard a wooden clacking and followed it. Through the mist, I could see a man dressed in a black ceremonial robe. He vaguely resembled Lord Varys from Game of Thrones, only because he was wearing something ancient looking and he seemed slightly persnickety.