I did two trains and four buses today to get to Temple 39, which is out the back of beyond. I got off the last bus, got directions from a guy at a Tackle Shop right beside the bus stop and set off. Suddenly I realized the next temples office would be closed by now so I went back to the tackle shop.
Herich San helped me find accommodation then walked me to it!
As we walked up the drive, I had a bad feeling. There were old motors and junk everywhere and the guy was old with no teeth and the place reeked of stale cigarette smoke. He told Herich San on the phone it was 6000 yen but at that stage I hoped it could be a wonderful homestay.
When Herich San introduced me, I felt like the man was mocking me, he kept saying OkOk sarcastically and his body language and I started feeling uneasy over his eagerness when showing me the bath area that was in a sort of garage that had flimsy bamboo screens blocking it from the rest of the room.
After looking around, and with the feelings I was getting, I said it was too expensive. I told them I was used to paying 6000Yen for a hotel room, and I would walk back with Herich San then walk into the township to find somewhere else.
I was really embarrassed because Herich San had made so many phonecalls and been so helpful.
As I was putting my shoes back on, the man indicated 4000 Yen.
It was getting dark outside and Herich San had such a look of worry at being lumbered with me that I agreed.
After saying goodbye and thank you to Herich San, OkOk Man showed me to my room which was surprisingly pleasant. He even got a fan out for me when I said I was hot. I started feeling a guilty about having him drop his price but felt a bit better when I said I didn’t want dinner, only breakfast.
After the day of public transport I felt travel weary to my bones. A day of road food and only one conversation had taken its toll.
As I got on the last bus, it was around 5'oclock and people were out with friends walking dogs and talking and I felt a twinge of homesickness.
I knew it was because of non- personal interactions with people all day and I knew I was coming down from the high of yesterdays fairytale with the Monks.
Just then I got a text from SMG just asking what was going down. I replied live to air then went out of range.
As I went to the bathroom before bed, the hugest cockroach I had ever seen was in the toilet – it sounded like a vinyl ‘wika wika’ when it scuttled.
Frogs outside OkOk place
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