First real day of pilgrimage was a doozy. Super high highs, super low lows. Started off great at temple numero uno, Ryozenji. Bought my pilgrimage garb and various Buddha swag, complete with Buddhist manpurse swagbag. Couldn't get the traditional Asian straw hat to work with my gigantic backpack, so decided to go with intense Buddhist rosary beads instead. Started to get the procedure at each temple down. . .1. Wash hands. 2. Go to main temple building. 3. Give offering and drop your name card with personal wishes. 4. Say heart sutra and prayer to specific enshrined deity. 5. Repeat steps 2-4, but at side temple dedicated to Kobo Daishi, the O.G. of Japanese Buddhism. 6. Go to temple office and get book stamped and signed with beautiful calligraphy. I repeated these 6 steps 7 times for the first 7 temples on the first day, but as the day dragged on several new truths came to light. 1. My bag is too heavy. 2. It is way hotter than I thought it would be. 3. My bag is too heavy. 4. This might actually be pretty hard. 5. My bag is way way way too heavy. By the end of the day I was already developing blisters, ankle issues, and was delirious from exhaustion. The time has come for some tough decisions. As much as I wanted to camp out and save money, the truth is that it is totally unnecessary, since you're never far from civilization. I think the tent will have to go. Gonna keep the sleeping bag just in case, and because it:s Sarah's. Just tested out the lighter, faster, better Backpack Mark II and I am filled with renewed joy and hope. Will try to have my buddy Mr. Okuda of the Okuda guest house donate the tent to Nepal or something. Going for a light day today to take care of blisters, restock supplies, and study prayers and Japanese. Can't figure out how to upload photos at Japanese internet cafe, so I'll probably just try to upload them directly to facebook back at the guesthouse where they have wifi. Might be a while till next update, because tomorrow I head up to the mountains to tackle the dreaded temple #12. Wish me luck. Love you guys
O Henro san, the Kobo Daishi is right with you on your very first day of the pilgrimage. He is telling you to lighten up your load. It is okay to shed some of that STUFF. We are enjoying following you on your journey on your blog and pictures on FB. Kobo Daishi is with you on your walk and so are we, as we follow you along. Love and prayers for a safe journey. Mom
ReplyDeleteLook for moleskin or some equivalent padded band aid. Man I should have thought to give you some! You cut it into a cheerio to make a bumper around your blister. Wear two pairs of socks. Deal with ingrown toe nails before they become an issue. Make sure you have sandals to give your feet a break at end of day. Cross post your journal entries to FB! Love you!
ReplyDeleteWear a Zori at the end of the day.
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