A reminder that my alter ego nemesis, Good-One-Sun is still accompanying me on this our last day in Tokyo. She is represented in bold italics.
Well, something different today and headed west into the bush. About an hour by subway from Tokyo is Mt Takeo, perfect for a day trip. Between Tokyo and Mt Takeo, you get to see the real suburbs and working class of Japan which is what I find most interesting in all the big cities we have visited. The density of housing is incredible. It appears as though no two houses are the same and they are crammed in so tight that there are no backyards. All the houses and suburbs are intertwined by an overabundance of electrical wires and lamp posts like giant spider webs. Everything is still neat and clean, just a bit ramshackle to look at from the outside. (what you mean?). Well, run down. In need of repair. (evweefing in good order fankyou vewy much). Well, I hope so Good, because those thousand multi-storey apartment blocks I saw didn’t look like great places to raise children. (our kids are fine. You said so yourself). Your parents probably do a great job but wouldn’t you like grass and parks for them to play on? (pwefewably, but you do with what you have. The twains take the kids to nice pwaces). I do find it astonishing that families are raised in these suburbs and yet the Japanese are so gentle and humble. I’m sure there is crime going on in there but if that scale of suburbs in those conditions was dropped into Australia, it would be classed by the UN as a war zone!
After an hour you suddenly go from gritty hardcore suburbia to lush mountain! The walk up is nearly 4km and very steep. If you’ve ever been up Mt Wellington in Hobart it is a similar degree of difficulty. There are Buddhist Shrines and prayer spots all the way up and the locals partake as much as they can. They are very religious in Japan which obviously accounts for their gentle nature. Lynda and I were discussing as to why the Japanese decided to get involved in WW2 given this undeniable strong faith. There are better read historians than us that can explain it, but Germany dropped everything for one man’s vision so that may have happened with Yamamoto. (what the hell have you been drinking man?). Must be all the fresh air.(not bad insights for an imbecile). So what has occurred in the past 70 years or so has been a strong belief that they will never, ever go back to war again and revisit the destruction that they were humiliated with last time. (spot on. We keep moving forward, and teach our children weespect).
There was lots to see all the way up and at the top. Beautiful Shrines and if you’re a Buddhist, rings to bang together, water ceremonies to conduct and even these fantastic stone wheels with script you could spin which I called the wheel of fortune. (not funny, but I acknowledge your stupid western desire to make a defamatory reference to a religion that has stood the test of time for 2500 years….goose). Lynda got into the spirit and respectfully prayed and bowed and clapped at different places all this week. I did a few but I sort of felt unworthy (you got that right) given I’m not a devotee. Well not yet. (Oh no you’re not are you?). If I turn up to work in red robes you’ll soon know! (don’t even fink about it! That would be like Satan turning up to Xmas mass!)
Buddhists are big on good luck charms and the like. I bought my eldest, Corrie a charm for getting through exams for uni, and one for Mia to ward off nightmares and get a good night sleep. Unfortunately, Lynda couldn’t find one for stopping my snoring.
We would have got to Mt Takeo earlier on the train but we got out at the Wherethefukarwee Station and had to change plans.(is that a joke?) Yes. (you know somefing, you weally are testing my faif. Iriot!)
Anyway, we decided to take a bush track on the way down which was challenging but absolutely stunning complete with waterfall and even temples in caves. The forest is invigorating and the temperature, as it has been all week, is a lot like Ballarat at the start of winter…warm in the sun and mighty chilly in the shade.
Well, Good-One-Sun it’s been an absolute pleasure but we are outta here tomorrow morning to Kyoto. (What you doing tonight for New Years?).We are still deciding where to best watch the fireworks from. (well, if you’re not doing anything, give me a call) What are you up to? (my husband Toshiro has an annual NYE party at our mansion down by the bay) Sounds great, do we need to bring anything? (No, we usually get full of sake and by midnight the keys are in the bowl, and your crothes will be off). No thanks Good, might pass.(ha ha got you didn’t I Lilson! I’ve had to put up with your lubbish all week. Cop that! Safe twavels and call me if you need help. Shouldn’t be long I wouldn’t fink! Say hello to the long suffewing Lynda for me. Happy New Year!).
Next installment from Kyoto. 4 days in an Air BnB. Excited to be going on the bullet train tomorrow. Happy New Year back home. Cheers, Willow & Lynda.
