Getting there
- A bus is by far the best mode of transportation for a site visit.
- Car pools are problematic but are sometimes necessary. In the case of carpooling, provide each driver (or designated navigator) with clear maps (drawn and written directions.) maps.google.com provides excellent maps.
- It is helpful if each car has at least one passenger with a cell phone – this is vital in case of emergencies or delays; the cell phone is also helpful if a vehicle takes a wrong turn or gets lost in traffic.
- Out of courtesy, phone the host of the site if you are going to be more than a few minutes late.
- If you are uncertain of the location of the house of worship, drive to the facility in advance of the visit in order to determine the best route; this preparatory research will alert you to the locale of the entrance and parking lots as well as to the presence of one-way streets or construction in the area. Familiarizing yourself with these logistics is particularly important when the visiting group is travelling by bus.
Shinto Temple in Kyoto, Japan. Photo credit: Wikimedia