I am glad I did one of the mountain routes yesterday as it was a rainy day today.
On this journey, so far, I have met or have seen some of the same people at the different temples (regardless if they are walking or driving the route). It is really nice to see a familiar face when you reach a temple (especially since I have been walking most of this pilgrimage alone, well except for Kobodaishi, who is said to walk with you on this journey)
Today, however, I walked with Kiyoko-San. She started her Henro at the temple closest to her house in Ehime. I first met her at Temple 12 (Shosanji), and saw her again at Temple 14 (Jorakuji) where we started to walk together. She is very kind and energetic which made today’s journey a lot more enjoyable.
When Kiyoko-san heard about my ankle she gave me one of the four special osamu-fude (name slips one leaves at a temple) she received from a person who has done the Henro more than 100 times. Kiyoko-san told me that it is like a person and has special powers to heal if place it on the injured area. As it is like a person it should not be bent and special care should be taken with it.
In return I gave her my Japanese prayer booklet (she was using a photocopied page of the main prayer)
Today we got as far as Temple 19 (Tatsueji). I’m staying at the temple for 2 nights, not so much because of my ankle, but rather because my heels feel bruised and I think I should give them a bit of a rest before tackling Temple 20 – a 5km walk from the bus stop – all uphill. My guidebook says it would take 80 minutes (whoever wrote the times is a MUCH faster walker than I am). I would also tackle Temple 21 (Tairyuji) on the same day.
Why the two you ask? Good question. There aren’t any places to stay near Temple 20 or 21 – unless I stay in a mountain hut. Kiyoko-san advised against it as a woman traveling alone.
KotsuKotsuLife 