My story relates to the grand site of Fushimi Inari, a set of shrines that are placed on a massive mountain, with a hall of Tori gates leading up to each. It was a long, hard climb with one of my dearest, closest friends I've made here along for the right with me. We both got tired and sore and lost, seeing several unseen and hidden shrines that were off the beaten path, but there wasn't much to it.
For those who don't know, Inari is a rice deity and his helpers are mystic foxes. We went because A) I wanted to go and B) my friend wanted to go and had a ton of 1 yen coins to get rid of. The trip was uneventful, save for how much fun I had just being around my friend. We did get lost going off the beaten path, but actually managed to cross the entire mountain, ending up in the next town over, to our surprise. We got help from a Japanese man who spoke good English and found a zen gate repaired by Toyotomi Hideyoshi, one of Japan's most famous Shoguns. Though we were tired and exhausted, it was a great trip.
Pictures are as follows:
Okay, now for the heavy stuff. I depart for America in almost 30 hours. I'm depressed. I've made many friends, but my recent traveling companion has moved me beyond mere words. I know we'll keep up, but I'll miss her terribly. I think meetings like that are what make life worthwhile...but it still saddens me, to the point where I wonder if I can get on the plane. There's a lot of that going around and once again I feel like a man walking towards a noose and just waiting for the hangman to finish me. Morbid, perhaps, but that's how I feel. I'll survive, but the countdown has begun.
My time in Japan has given me many cherished memories, but beyond all the famous sites I've seen, it's the small memories I cherish the most. My first REAL friends, because I did have fake ones here, my encounters with the crepe lady and the Takoyaki/yakisoba man, my clubbing experience and times with newer friends...and my dear friend. All of these are precious to me, as precious as seeing the Ushitora show or going to Kyoto alone. I think that's something important to remember. The people around you make all the wonderful sites of the world even more wonderful. It's all about the company you keep sometimes. I won't let my friends forget me anytime soon.
And before I get too maudlin again, I do have some good news. SOPA has been stalled, so at least I have one less thing to worry about. The internet will still exist when I get home. Speaking of which, I should go. This will be my last actual post in Japan. I'll try to post when I land, but it might be the next day. I depart soon and should have all my plans in order. I'll see you all in the states, hopefully.
Till then, be well, everyone.
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