Tuesday, 30 June 2009

• Ehime Cont.

  Like I said, as soon as I got into this town, I checked myself into a hotel by the station.

  

  The bullfight town.

  

  ha ha ha, I love when they try to use English. 

  

  Night view of the station from my room

  

  In all Japanese towns, villages and cities the main event or feature of the locale is always on the sewer caps or in the sidewalk. 

  

  Bullfight mania continues.

  

  OMG, a Mcd's breakfast has never been so good.

  

  The seven lucky gods.

  

  grapes getting ripe.  I should be so lucky as to be put in a bag where the bugs cannot bite me.

  pretty in pink

  

  more of the 7 lucky gods.  Not so lucky.  Right around the time I took this picture, another priest asked me if I had lived in Japan for two years before.  Surprised, I said yes.  He said he heard from someone that there is an American woman doing the circuit who lived in Japan for two years.  Wow--I'm getting famous!!  Then he gave me an orange and I sat on the bench eating it.  All was well until I noticed my walking stick was GONE! I left it in the stand in front of the temple office where everyone leaves there sticks.  Someone had the audacity to steal... from a pilgrim...IN A TEMPLE!  WTF!  I think you definitely go to hell for a stunt like that.  At least you get reincarnated as some animal that eats its own feces.  I was so depressed I cried.  It was only the second time this trip (the first time wasn't for myself though).  I guess after that horrible hotel, MJ dying, the camera breaking and now my stick stolen, that was the last straw.  I had become really attached to it.  It had been with me every step　of the way so far, helping me all the way.  Now, suddenly, at #42 it was gone. 

  The stupid this is, if someone wanted one, they are sold everyone for only 15 dollars.  What's more, there are always a stack of ones that people have forgotten or brought back to their home temple in thanks.  The priest there actually told me just to take one of those.  Why MY stick of all the sticks that were there? The thief could have had a stick without inflicting pain on me.  I was angry and hurt and hotly stomped the rest of the way through the mountains imagining all the things I would do to the person if I ever saw my special walking stick again. 

  

  1/2 way to the next temple after the thievery incident.

  

  Then I saw another freaking snake.  I've actually gotten somewhat used to seeing them (how many snakes had my old stick warded off...) I've had plenty of snake nightmares too.

  

  My room after the stick incident.  At least it was really, really nice.  I breathed a huge sigh of relief. 

  

  I was served dinner in my room again.  Instead of being lonely, it was nice.  I was in such a bad mood I didn't feel like making others put up with me.

  

  Sashimi.  Next to it was ice in the shape of a gourd which had more sashimi in it.  nice touch!

  

  cooking my own meat in a nabe!

  

  And what meal in Japan would　be complete without fish heads and bamboo sprouts. 

  

  this would be a popular shop back home, ha ha.

  

  cool boats.

  

  cool lotus pond.

  

  cool un-numbered temple.  The story behind this one is that Kobo Daishi walked into this town on a winter's night and no one would give him lodging so he had to sleep under this bridge. 

  

  Shrine under the bridge

  

  

  Sleeping Kobo Daishis

  

  While he was under the bridge he composed this poem that goes something like, when no one will help a traveler in need, one night seems like ten.  I can totally relate.  Mine goes something like: when no one will clean the inn, one night can seem like ten....  ha ha ha.... moan.

  

  just someone roasting some fish on the road.

  

  cute sign

  

  some chickens and a rooster on the trail

  me, passed out on a bench for 10 minutes on my way through the mountains.

  why is everything so cute?

  I decorated my new/used walking stick with a hawk feather, a protective amulet and a bell someone lost from their walking stick (I found it).  I think it looks pretty pimp now.  My spirits are in tact and I feel like continuing.  The priest told me not to give up my mission.  The guidebook says that when shit happens, I should not complain, but regard it as ascetic training.  Consider myself trained.

  

  Yesterday it poured buckets of rain all day.  It was her free day, so Kyohei's mom said she would come to meet me at 9am at temple #44 (half way!!).  She said she might be a little late, but don't worry.  Of course, she called me at 7:24am to tell me she was waiting at the temple..... eye roll.  I was already up and dress and watching Ohayou Nippon (Good morning Japan).  Because it was raining so hard, I didn't mind as much being driven to temples. 

  

  

  #45 was a "difficult place"  Even after we drove to it there was a lot of uphill walking to do (good).  To get to one point in the temple there was this scary and steep ladder to climb up.

   

  I did it!  The view was awesome.

  

  Me holding up my hands for #45.

  

  then we went to the zoo where I saw alligators and flamingos.... just like being in Florida. 

  

  

  ha ha ha ha ha

  

  The next temple we went to had a lotus pond.

  

  And...  Buddha's feet.  Legend has it, whoever puts their bare feet on this stone will have all their foot pain taken away.  Buddha=had shoes to fill

  

  Legend has is, an evil person cannot pass through this gate.  If they try it, they will go straight to hell.  I'm still around (barely).  At least I don't think I'm in hell....  I'm in Matsuyama using the internet!

  So Kyohei's mom is letting me use her camera while we see if Kyohei's camera is fixable.  I took a couple pictures with it yesterday, but I cannot get them to load in xanga, I've been trying all morning.  I don't know if its this computer or what.  Hopefully, I'll still be able to post pictures on here.  I'll be pretty disappointed if not.  I really hate changing electronics.  I'm sure her camera will take perfectly good photos (especially since I can no longer use the zoom on mine), but.....  I need to get over myself and get some breakfast. 

  ps  its my three year anniversary with Kyohei.  Wish he were here.

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