The Laughing Henro had other carp to fry, so, after going through the stamp process, I said Saionara and headed (I hoped) toward temple 2. He said gambette! (good luck) and kept watching till I was out of sight, just to make sure he had all my details for the identikit picture he just knew he was going to be helping the police with later that week.
The peacefulness of walking along the road to temple 2 made my ears feel like they had just stepped out of a Pachinko Parlour into a back alley. The previous hours excitement and drama already seemed like yesterday.
I'm not sure if it felt so good getting to temple 2 because I didn't get lost in the 300 paces it took to get there, or because I had a legitimate reason for taking off my backpack but whatever the reason I felt elated going through (my version) of the motions. This time I didn't have the desire to whistle while staring with fascination at the ceiling hoping The Pilgrimage Police weren't watching while I got my stamp.
As I stumbled my way back out onto the road, already starting to lose my sense of direction, I spotted a Henro couple who I quickly caught up to. I discretely tailgated them all the way to the next temple but, as we arrived, I thought it would be rude if I didn't at least try to apologise for almost tripping one of them up.
Taieriki San assured me she hardly even noticed me stepping on her heels so I quickly changed the subject and asked how far they were going today. Because it was obvious I was going the same way, she was forced to admit they were going to temple 6. I asked her if I could follow them and, without even consulting her husband, the brave woman said Yes.
Looking behind her, to check I was at a safe distance, she led me to the temple office to get our books stamped. While I was having mine done, she obviously told her husband, Kenji San, that I was going to be with them because they immediately bought out food to boost their energy levels. I was glad of the pause because I needed to put some gaffer tape on my feet and change my socks for thinner ones. I was only at temple 3 and my feet were already wanting a trade-in.
We soon set off for temple 4.
As we walked, we attempted to get to know each other. Taieriki San spoke a little English but Kenji San spoke none at all. After an hour my mind started wandering and I kept dreaming about the next time I played charades back home - I just knew all this practice was finally gonna make me a winner!!
I started to get that I'm being followed feeling and looked back to see another Henro behind us. Feeling overconfident and chummy, I said Konichiwa and, upon finding out he was also going to temple 6, I made an executive decision and invited Yahiro San to join The Gang.
Taieriki San, Kenji San and Yahiro SanI hardly noticed the time go by as we all amiably chatted. My new friends had the patience of Soup Kitchen Volunteers while I flipped backwards and forwards through my phrasebook saying a long drawn out 'ano...' (which I learnt off Saint Claire and roughly meant 'ummmm...') until I could find the word I needed. It was only after half and hour that we realised Yahiro San spoke wonderful English and I was able to retire my weary phrasebook for the rest of the day.
I found out that all three were yet more teachers, in their 50s and 60s. Also, that this was Kenji San's second time round. He never stood a chance. He was instantly nominated 'Guido' and the rest of us switched on our Cruise Controls...
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