At the next Temple, I recognised Takashi Sans backpack, and, as I was taking mine off he arrived. The exchange was a little awkward. I was really pleased to see him but he was gruff and distant. I could see he was getting ready to leave (he was walking) so I hurried to do my thing. He must have misunderstood and thought I was trying to distance myself from him because when I got back to where our bags were, he had left. I saw him briefly in the distance on the way to the next Temple, that was the last I ever saw of him…
There was a huge shop at Temple 77. It seemed like a perfect time to get a few little gifts. I wandered around for an hour or so. I tried on some Jikatabi but they didn’t fit very well, so I passed on them.
I spent about 12,000 yen ($150NZD) but got enough little things for the people I cared about back home.
While I was there, the shopkeeper asked if I would like a coffee – which I did!
As I was drinking, she showed me a visitors book. It was pleasant to read comments written in English.
She then asked me if I would sign it. I wrote a brief account of getting lost and how it ahd changed me, ending with…Soon I go back to New Zealand to continue by adventure but my Soul found itself in Shikoku…
I felt quite emotional and the lady gave me some lollies ‘to make happy again’.
Tribute to Henro on the side of shop at Temple 77I left there, visited the Temple and left for the next one.
On the way I went into a number of banks and soon discovered that, despite what my bank had told me, nowhere was going to accept my card.
SHIT!
And I had just spent two nights accommodation.
I knew there was nothing I could do then so I just kept on walking onto Temple 78.
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