Day 2...9/11

9/11/08 5:20pm

Another walking ordeal, or fun event depending on your perspective, is over and now we are in our inn waiting for dinner. We are staying at Yoshino Ryokan. We stayed here the last time when we were in the area some years back. It is a stone's throw away from temple 11 and the start of the trail that takes you straight up the mountain to temple 12. The mere thought makes me want to reconsider this fool of a trip but it's too late; I think.

Today was another day walking in the heat. Fortunately there were a few clouds in the sky to block the sun's mean rays, and a whimsical breeze that visited us now and then but never stayed.

I would be inaccurate and remiss if I did not tell you of the little things that makes this trip so wonderful; it really isn't all suffering. First, I'm with Emi, and though we complain about each other, we are only joking, for we do indeed appreciate each others company. Next, the people that we meet along the trail is so nice, shinsetsu nee? The majority will bow (even drivers), say something like ohiyo, konnichiwa, atsui desu nee. Emi and I always respond. It's a good thing that I don't have to say more than a word or two. Otherwise, I'd be in trouble. It reminds me of my youth, growing up in Chinatown without the ability to speak or understand Chinese. My tactic when spoken to in Chinese was to say yes or no in random order. I'm doing just about the same here, once in a while actually throwing in a word or two of Japanese. I'll also resort to muttering chotto matte kudasai and loudly call for Emi to come save me. But back to the nice people...One lady gave us two drinks and a handmade coin purse, just because. And today, while walking to temple 10, a lady came out of a shop and told us that we could leave our bags while we went up to the temple; we did have to come back the same way. Now in the USA and many other places, you'd be a fool to do so, but this is Japan. When we got back, not only were our bags still there, she had cold tea and sweets for us. And then at a coffee shop, the owner gave us extra sweets and two cans of drinks. These random acts of kindness is common and so appreciated. All we have to do is put one foot in front of the other.