Wow. How a day begins and ends.
Part of me doesn’t want to say too much as to avoid over-explaining. After so long on the trail, it was an emotional day on top of being a physically exhausting one and it was hot (20•C at 6am, over 30•C at noon). So here are a few pertinent details to make these pictures make sense…
First to get to Temple 88 from the salon, you need to go about 7km, the last 2km are up a 774m mountain. You are rewarded for your efforts though. However, if I look a bit *um* damp at temple 88, I need to remind you that this part was exhausting.
There is a building that is filled with Daishi walking sticks. These are left here by pilgrims not going on to Koyasan. As the staff represents Kukai walking with you and the pilgrimage is over this is customary for many. I am taking mine onto Koyasan.
The stone marker I’m standing next to says that here the pilgrimage ends and your wish will come true. However, to get to the direction I wanted to go, I still needed to walk another 10k (downhill) to reach a bus and a train that would do so.
I returned to temple 1 to close the loop even though this is optional to some. I said my final thanks and got my stamp of completion. They gave me tea and I signed the book.
After that I went out with some other ohenro just starting their journeys. We found a cheap place to drink and eat. I did not get back to bed until very late.
I am so glad it is done. Next to Koyasan to see Kukai’s final meditation.
