Mia Arguello RTGAmbassador Once she was done making the tea, she taught us the etiquette of how to drink it. You need to thank the hostess for the tea and apologize for going before others, and after that, you rotate the bowl slightly to avoid drinking from the front, take a sip, and do a silent bow. Then, the next guest repeats the procedure until each guest has sipped the tea. Participating in this culture-enriching ritual made me feel more connected to Japanese culture. Moreover, we had the privilege of preparing matcha tea ourselves. We had to carefully whisk the matcha until it bubbled up, using a traditional bamboo whisk and bowl, making the process fun and relaxing. After we finished preparing it, we had the opportunity to drink our own matcha tea. Personally, I got carried away and put too much matcha in my bowl, making it a little stronger than the hostess's. Nevertheless, I liked both versions, and I've been drinking matcha tea since returning from Japan. This whole experience taught me valuable lessons about mindfulness and simplicity, highlighting the beauty of slowing down and appreciating the present moment. Ultimately, this experience not only deepened my understanding of Japanese culture but also inspired me to be more mindful and to begin living in the present moment.
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