Perspectives

 

Last night's dinner was fabulous!  We started with some sashimi and a personal beef hotpot.  Then came a plate of Spanish tapas to celebrate the Dual Pilgrimage and the two countries.  Dessert was cheesecake and coffee.  Afterwards, we enjoyed some Spanish guitar music, played by our host.  I was seated with a woman who has also walked the Camino de Santiago. 

Today started with a fascinating breakfast conversation with a woman who works for nonprofits.  (Let’s just say her life has more challenges lately.)  She is from Minnesota and we agreed that way too many Americans need to get out and experience more of the world.  She is accompanying a friend on her first trip to Asia.  So many things here are hard to appreciate until you experience them.  Like why people will stand and wait for a traffic walk sign when there are no cars around on a street that is only a few feet wide.  Rules are important here and most people follow them regardless.  I am thankful for how much of the world I have been privileged to experience. 

The second conversation was with a young couple from America.  (Yes, there are a few more of us here.)  I explained that next week I will be heading to SoCal to help my in-laws sort their “stuff” from their house of 50+ years.  This made no sense to them as they explained that "thirty-somethings" just aren’t collecting like previous generations.  There was also good conversation around what issues I faced when I was in my thirties.  I assured them that we had our issues as well and that somehow we got through them.  How do we encourage and support the next generation? 

I am about a third of the way through my journey already and it is going way too fast.  Tomorrow I will reach one of the main temples and one of Japan’s most historic bath houses.  I have to say I am a huge fan of the Japanese bathing culture.  That should be enough of a reason for everyone to want to experience Japan.  Just make sure you don’t cross the street against a red light…

Location - Chikatsuyu @ 33.816929, 135.605695

Distance - 10.1km / 6.5 mi

Elevation Gain - 610m

Elevation Loss - 640m

Steps - 18,406

Total Distance - 8.94 miles