I went to my room, put on my walkman and slept for an hour. I got up, had a (deep) bath and got dressed. I didn’t know whether to wear Yukata or clothes. Every place had been different. I put on Yukata but when I knocked on Takashi Sans door, he was in a tracksuit. At the same time as he was saying Evening Wear, I was saying Sumimasen, I’ll just go change, and scuttled back down the hall muttering to myself.
We went into the restaurant and ordered Sake and beer. Takashi San ordered Edi Mame (my favourite Japanese snack of raw salted beans) and French fries. I just about ate both plates to myself in the awareness of having Sake on an empty stomach.
I smiled when two older Henro couples came in all wearing their Yukata.
Takashi San wrote down his timetable for the next few days.
In my room I had taken out my remaining yen and worked out that I had 5 days worth left. Takashi San was offering to take me around the remaining Temples in 4 days.
Initially saying Onegai Shimasu, Arigato – Yes please! Thank you, felt like trading my Henro soul but after a very enlightening meal, I felt like it might be ‘Daishi arranged’.
Our conversation for the next few hours was very metaphysical. We spoke the same ‘heart’ language and we were both thrilled. It was a surprise to us both considering we couldn’t speak each others native tongue.
I recognized when it was time to end the current train of conversation and intimated I needed sleep.
I got out my purse and said to the waitress Ikura desu ka – How much?. There was the 10 minutes of discussion back and forth, to the till, to the reception desk, with the guy at reception then when I asked again, Takashi San said ‘Don worry!’ and we went to our rooms.
Takashi San
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