Moving On Alone Again

May 18 (15.6kms)

I was awake again 2 minutes before alarm.
I had many unsettled dreams between each toss and turn. The only one I remember is being confused about a cheque, then finding a messy pile of them, which, for some reason, seemed to make sense.

Takashi San and I went down to breakfast together. He had already put his walls up and become distant. I understood and carried on talking to him in the same way I always had.

When we came back up to our rooms, three staff ladies were sitting on the Tatami in my room chatting. I think they wanted to chat with me but Takashi San ushered them out so we could say on last Hanya Shinkyo together – at least, that’s what I finally worked out he meant.
He then pumped my hand and slapped my back – very blokey – but in actual fact – very emotional. I gave him a hug and I could feel his strength of feeling in his hug back.

I had my pack on and was ready to go by then. I walked down the hall with tears. Not only because I was saying goodbye to another generous, loving friend but because, yet again, I couldn’t explain in Japanese how I felt.

I turned and waved as I turned the corner at the end of the hall.
He waved back and I left the Ryokan.