Saying Goodbye to my Two Favourite Monks

May 10

I had a good nights sleep and woke before the alarm around 5:30.
O'Sha San walked around the verandah outside my room, out to the Temple, and did his morning ritual. With the instruments and chanting I thought he had others with him but I could see through my screen he was by himself. He had a unique sound and I enjoyed listening to him.

I got up and dressed.

O'Sha San finished up and summonsed me to his little lounge type room then switched on the TV - I guessed it was my babysitter until Narabe San came in.
He then came in with four photograph albums. It was interesting to see him through the years as Henro with dark curly hair and same expressionless face, then at his investiture, then at his temple with various guests.
Although he didn't show much expression, I knew he was extremely caring and kind.

Narabe San told us breakfast was ready and I was somewhat relieved to see two fat slabs of toast, margarine and marmalade. There was a bowl of yohurt too but I indicated to my stomach and said I couldn’t eat it – it wasn’t completely true health wise but I would have thrown up if I forced myself to eat it – Yoghurt is something I have to really crave otherwise it makes me nauseous.
Narabe San also made me a coffee which was the best I had had in Japan, even though it was instant.

I went to my room and got a piece of paper out of the new pad, and my calligraphy pen, and wrote a thank you note in calligraphy.

“To my favourite Monks – with much gratitude for your kindness, generosity and laughter. From your friend E”

They were really chuffed and fussed over where they were going to put it.
I then took a picture of the three of us.

O'Sha San and Narabe San

I got my gear together, put my wet weather stuff on then O'Sha San brought in a gift – A beautifully presented calligraphy character in an exquisite blue envelope. I think he had done it himself.

I thanked him wildly then he led me out to show me his one lily in the pond by the little bridge to the temple.
He then took me out to the side and took a photo of me in front of the Temples sign, the same place all the other guests had posed. An honour.

When it was time for me to leave, he started leading me out the front gate but I said Sumimasen and ran back and tapped on the window to say goodbye to Narabe San. He seemed surprised and bowed animatedly from inside.
I quickly caught up with O'Sha San who walked me almost to the main road. We passed a dead snake on the way.


We heard yelling and I turned around to see Narabe San with his umbrella waving frantically from the Temple gate.

I told O'Sha San he didn’t need to go all the way to the main road with me so he took another picture of me then waited and waved as I carried on.
Everytime I looked back he was still standing there and we would wave again.
The last time I turned around, when I had reached the main road, he had gone.

I waved anyway.