Distance: 16 Miles
Temples: 28-31
Lodging: Intercontinental Tokyo Bay
We were now in Kochi, the prefectural capital and the end of our journey. After a so-so breakfast we were on our way to the first of four temples. This was our first day in a real city. At times we walked along busy highways, but just as often we were in residential neighbourhoods or, at the end of the day, trekking through a park.
Just after the first temple of the day we ran into a lady who gave us two bags of mikan, a Japanese tangerine. They were delicious.
At temple 29 we ran into a group of kids who were on a field trip learning about the temple and pilgrimage. They were meeting incoming pilgrims, introducing themselves, and passing out goodie bags with a short note from the child inside. The kids were quite shy, especially with two foreigners, but at their teacher's prompting they dutifully introduced themselves to us.
"Honoured Pilgrim: Since the day is hot eat plenty of food and take care of your health, please do your best. Take care and aim for the final temple, please do your best. I think walking would be hard, please do your best."
-Motoyama Elementary School 4th Grade *name*
(Reading names is beyond me)
After several attempts Aldin also got someone to allow him to take a video of them stamping our stamp books. Let's hear it for persistence!
As we approached our last temple of the trip evening was coming on and I started to worry about making it to the airport in time for our flight to Tokyo. Happily there was a taxing sitting at the entrance to the temple who took our packs and told us to take our time, he would wait for us. A last set of candles, incense, prayers, and stamps and then we were in a taxi on the way to the airport.
Rice polisher
Until next time!
