Thanks to everyone for their well wishes! Am hoping I will be able to finish the pilgrimage, trying to be realistic. The weather here in Japan has not been helping, it's really hot and humid here, feels like being in a sauna outside. I didn't realise it was still so hot here despite it being autumn so have had to repack my backpack, got rid of some cold weather gear that I had bought in Korea. Yesterday I went to book my airline ticket back home and estimated 40 days to complete the pilgrimage. After reading some accounts on the internet and also since I will be carrying a tent and sleeping bag around (most ppl who do the pilgrimage don't carry that much stuff, they usually stay in inns and hotels at night) I think I may have under-estimated the time it will take to finish. I don't want to be rushing from temple to temple and with the heat and weight of my backpack...I am thinking 40 days is not enough. Added to that, my level of fitness is definitely not what it used to be, especially after sitting in a jeep in Mongolia 10 days in a row...! I am going to call the travel agent and change my airline ticket today, hoping 45 days is being more realistic. It's so hard having a flight deadline.
It was difficult saying goodbye to Fiona yesterday. She flew on the next available flight back to Canada, so it was an abrupt departure. It's strange to be doing the pilgrimage alone, we had done so much planning for it together and had been looking forward to it. It was Fiona's idea for it from the beginning so it's really sad that she couldn't complete it. She has to go back to be with her family though. So Fiona, if you are reading this - thank you so much, we did an awesome trip, I am still trying to digest how much we did in all those countries. Hope everything goes well with your godfather.
So I am leaving on Monday to go to Wakayama. Pilgrims usually begin their pilgrimage there. I have to buy my henro (pilgrim) gear, which includes a walking stick, hat and jacket to identify that I am a pilgrim. I will be carrying a book as well that will contain a stamp from each temple. As luck would have it, my favourite teacher while I was teaching here retired back to Shikoku and lives near the first temple. So I am staying with her for the first night - thanks Ms. Yamazato!
I'm not going to be contactable while I am walking since I don't have a mobile phone here anymore. I guess it's a worrying thought since no-one will know how I am doing while I walk. Dwayne has been kind enough to update this blog on where I am in my pilgrimage. So I am going to call Dwayne every few days to tell him I am still alive :)
So if all goes well, in about 40 or so days, I will be back online having finished the pilgrimage! I am really excited about starting it. Until then, take care!
9.19am Sat 18 Sep, 2004. Dwayne's place, Japan
It was difficult saying goodbye to Fiona yesterday. She flew on the next available flight back to Canada, so it was an abrupt departure. It's strange to be doing the pilgrimage alone, we had done so much planning for it together and had been looking forward to it. It was Fiona's idea for it from the beginning so it's really sad that she couldn't complete it. She has to go back to be with her family though. So Fiona, if you are reading this - thank you so much, we did an awesome trip, I am still trying to digest how much we did in all those countries. Hope everything goes well with your godfather.
So I am leaving on Monday to go to Wakayama. Pilgrims usually begin their pilgrimage there. I have to buy my henro (pilgrim) gear, which includes a walking stick, hat and jacket to identify that I am a pilgrim. I will be carrying a book as well that will contain a stamp from each temple. As luck would have it, my favourite teacher while I was teaching here retired back to Shikoku and lives near the first temple. So I am staying with her for the first night - thanks Ms. Yamazato!
I'm not going to be contactable while I am walking since I don't have a mobile phone here anymore. I guess it's a worrying thought since no-one will know how I am doing while I walk. Dwayne has been kind enough to update this blog on where I am in my pilgrimage. So I am going to call Dwayne every few days to tell him I am still alive :)
So if all goes well, in about 40 or so days, I will be back online having finished the pilgrimage! I am really excited about starting it. Until then, take care!
9.19am Sat 18 Sep, 2004. Dwayne's place, Japan
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