I asked about buses back to the train station but the next one wasn’t for 45 minutes so, because I felt lighter (physically and metaphorically) I decided to walk.
I stopped at a Lawson Store (like our Star Mart) and got the days food. It was always surprisingly good and cheap.
I was just repacking, taking off my Icebreaker and putting on my full wet weather kit, when a middle aged looking guy (he was probably retired then!) came out and asked if I was going to the Kokuban (Temple 80). I said Yes and he offered to give me a lift as settai.
For some reason he gave me the creeps immediately (car too clean?) so when he offered for me to stay at his place after I got to Temple 83, I did what I make a point of never doing and lied, saying I was meeting friends there.
As he dropped me off, he indicated to the Kami (modern translation - God) tattoo on my wrist and made the sign of No! then got some paper. He wrote the Kami sign, put a cross though it then wrote another sign. I didn’t quite get what he was saying but I gathered he was meaning that I shouldn’t believe in the Kami (a Shinto image) and I should only believe in whatever he had drawn.
When I got out of the car, I pointed to my wrist and said passionately Special! placing my hand over my heart for emphasis.
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