Day 11 Touring: Okayama, Sun & Cloud, 13

Check Under The Hood Mister?

For those of us over a certain age, that's the question that often greeted one at a gas station when the petrol attendant actually filled your fuel tank for you, checked the oil, washed the windows and took a cash payment and brought back the change!! Ah, a slower different time from the hurry in, jump out of your car, stick the plastic in the pump and then fill your tank and race back towards where ever it was you were trying to get to. That's what today has been all about...a maintenance day. 

We had reservations to jet off on the Bullit train to Osaka for the day, but then looked at Osaka and thought, "nope don't have to do that". Too busy and the castle there is a recreation. Soooooo. We got up a bit late, Skyped and went down for a Japanese hotel breakfast that came with our room. Did I tell you that we can have a drink on the house here at happy hour before going out to dinner? This is the best little hotel!!  We finally sauntered out the door at about 10 figuring that we'd best wear off our huge breakfast. I felt a little sluggish after all that food so Some activity was required. I wore my sandles which was definitely a nice change from the hiking boots. 

We first walked up to the post office, generally the only place foreigners can get cash from an ATM in Japan (7-11 has apparently changed over so I will try there too). When you hit the english language button a gentle Japanese woman walks you through the process, step by step. A hoot! Having cash in our pockets again we headed in the general direction of the castle. There are a few canals here. Not as nice as the Dutch canals, but nice.

 

I saw this neat three wheeled car-like thing and managed to snap a shot....as I said, a slow day:) 

 

Quite a nice castle, it's aptly called, The Black Castle.

 

 

We crossed the river and were amazed at the size of the swans! 

 

We thought that at any time we'd see Godzilla!

We walked around the outside of the formal gardens along the river and down the canal on the other side, a circle route. We decided not to go in because nothing looked to be flowering and it was really brown, and expensive. Had it been in its glory we would have bucked up and gone in. As it was, we could see into the grounds from our vantage point along the dyke. It was the right decision and the only flowers we saw were on this tree outside the gardens.

 

There were picturesque views back towards the castle, but otherwise it was just a pleasant walk. Most days we comfortably manage 17-22 kms, but today we probably walked about 12. A maintenance day.

 

We wandered back through a covered shopping street that ran maybe 10 blocks and it took us most of the way home. However, we did see Godzilla on the way! I just had a feeling that he'd be around today.

 

Not a clue why this was here?! No indication why, not even a hint?  We stopped for a drink and then found a Japanese version of the $ Store...the 100 Yen Store. Lots of good stuff in there. We found raisins and nuts for our walking mountain mix we like to carry for energy when walking long days. I also found vaceline for my feet there...barrier to reduce blister risk. I looked all over until the familiar container was spotted. Didn't expect that!

 

While in there I thought it interesting to see the packaging used for daily products here. You'll recognize many of the name brands, but much less plastic containers. Nice.

 

I'd also like to say that while Okayama isn't on the normal tourist circuit, the people are incredibly welcoming and supportive of the few tourists who do come here. When travelling I tend to be outgoing and I'm usually the one who asks for directions and approaches strangers. I have some of the best memories from these brief encounters. Case in point, yesterday at the train station when we arrived I approached an attendant to ask which direction to leave the station to walk the couple of kilometres to our hotel. It's easy in these huge stations to go out the wrong exit and with most street signs often in Japanese characters it's easy to find yourself needing to make corrections. Well this fellow left his gate post and walked us all the way out of the station and made sure we knew where we were going. We were very impressed. Later at the hotel we casually asked if they could direct us to a local restaurant and the folks at the counter actually called around to a number of restaurants until they found someone who could speak English. They then made us a reservation, printed out direction AND a photo of the restaurant! When we arrived (not until we'd enjoyed our on the house drink!) a lovely lady in the family run business interpreted the menu and made recommendations. We aren't use this type of service in our usual and preferred under the radar type of travel. But it was appreciated and fun! There have been many other examples of the friendliness of the people we meet from making sure we aren't lost, to just simple politeness. Much to learn here. Just received this photo from Sonomi showing us gather for lunch.

 

We are now getting down to the heart of the matter. Tomorrow we finally arrive in Tokushima, a city of almost 1 million souls on the island of Shikoku. I've reconnected with David Moreton who I earlier exchanged emails with prior to departing. He's Canadian and an associate professor at the University of Tokishima who is probably the expert on the pilgrimage. We are trying to meet for coffee and it will be very interesting to see what insites he can provide to help us with our mental preparations. He commented to me that he was meeting a Danish film crew Sunday and a 9 person tour group from America who are on a hilite bus tour. So he's busy with the increasing interest in this walk. He also commented that there is more foreign interest in the walk that ever before. I commented to him that folks who walk Camino in Europe are looking for something new. I know that's part of what has brought me here. New vistas, religious tones, personal challenges, a different culture and many more things that have yet to reveal themselves. However, it's still pretty novel in the west because as my friend Neville says, "if the Germans aren't there yet, then it's still pretty well undiscovered!" We will see, but given what I've read on line, they are just beginning to put this walk on their radar. This is a key component as in a few years this route may become much more popular in the West. I think best to enjoy it now in its more traditional setting. Not that I would be unhappy to meet some nice German or French folks on the route. I've had great pleasure from these connections over the last few years and remain connected with many of these endlessly energetic walkers. 

As I write this mid afternoon the skies have open up outside and we are having a lightning storm. Odd? Oh, now hail too! How long do we have to wait until happy hour? 

Happy 1st anniversary Erin & Seth! Has it really been a year? Exciting!

Next post from Shikoku. Maybe just getting a little excited:)