Climbing Mt. Fuji, and Hitching the road to Hiroshima

Wow wow wow wow wow. This could quite possibly be the most incredible adventure of my life. So much to tell, and I only have a half hour left of internet time here at the cafe. So　Ill get to the good stuff. These are just a few of many pictures:


This is a mother and a son who gave me a lift this morning from Awajima island to Shikoku island. We were on the bridge to Shikoku, above gigantic whirlpools. Apparently I look like I`m 30 and not an American. (This is actually the general consensus in Japan.)

This is the father (left) of the woman who gave me a ride to Shikoku. He owns a gas station on Awaji island.

This sunrise, and my friend in Durango Sara Knight, inspired the following poem:

I write to you

To tell you that

I know where your traveller could be-

Alone on the coast of an island

Writing you a poem to the

Rhythm of the sea

He`s gazing at the horizon,

Imagining his home

Somewhere across that great expanse

And he, a speck on a foreign shore

A pack on his back

Food in a sack

He never wanted anything more

Than to sit upon clouds

Walk over waves

To live life, no less, no more.

I love this picture.

Grogy early morning. I am under the bridge where I slept.

The festival on Awajima island. Plenty of food, fireworks, beautiful Japanese women, and of course, `biru` (beer).

Me and the kids who picked me up from Honshu, Japans main island, and took me to Awajima island.

We were best friends after 10 minutes of them picking me up. They didn`t speak a lick of English. Praise Buddah for my phrasebook.

This kid was a total stud. No English, but I learned that he loves anime, fast cars, and techno. He drove an hour and a half out of his way to get me to the Awajima bridge. The kindness of the Japanese is overwhelming.

A sign I made. It even worked!

This is in Kyoto. (If you can`t tell, these pictures are receeding in time). The top says "Individual names of Allied personel who perished in Territory Under Japanese Jurisdiction during World War Two".

A temple in Kyoto, with beauty that can make you weep:

In memoriam, the world`s unknown soldier killed in World War II

All honor to him, friend or foe

Who fought and died for his country

May the tradgedy of his supreme

Sacrifice bring to us, the living,

Enlightenment and inspiration,

Fill us with ever-mounting zeal

For the all-compelling quest of peace

World peace, and universal brotherhood.

Next to the aforementioned temple, this large statue of the Buddah. By far, my most spiritual moment on the trip.

Reflections of World War II have come about more often than I would have expected. And it is impacting me in a different way than I would have expected. And I am still yet to go to Hiroshima, where I will be on the anniversary of the dropping of the Atomic Bomb, August 6th. They are holding a special ceremony-- check back later for details.

An ancient graveyard.

Interesting artwork in Kyoto.

People write prayers on these tablets and hang them outside the temples.

A woman who wanted a photograph with a `foreigner`.

Typical street in Kyoto.

The buildings in downtown Kyoto are like the buildings in Tokyo-- not much space. I saved myself the 8000 yen (about 80 bucks) and slept in between buildings for the first night. The second night, I met a Japanese journalist named Summer (she was born in America) in a bar and she let me stay at her place. In the U.S., during WWII, her grandparents were placed in a refinement camp. The irony is beautiful: she gave me incredible hospitality--a comfortable fouton, breakfast... More on her story, later.

Kyoto Tower, when I first got dropped off by a 64 year old truck driver, headed to Osaka.

This guy was great. Not much english, but we talked about American Punk Rock, beautiful women, and of course, Japan. He even bought me a Coca Cola at the service station.

This great folks picked me up and insisted that I go with them to see this beautiful waterfall you see in the background here.

A hotel room. My ideal bedroom, really. After waking up in Tokyo at 7 AM, riding a bus to Mt. Fuji, starting to hike at 8:00 PM, and coming down at 11:30 AM, and not making it to town until 6:00 PM, my no-sleep binge of 36 hours justified splurging on a room.

The highest post office in the world. And my new friend, Jose, who I climbed Fuji with, along with two Canadian brothers, Austin and Carson.

Fuji san.

Since Japan`s nickname is "The Land of the Rising Sun" (hence the flag), it is traditional to climb Fuji at night so you can see the sunrise. The most beautiful sunrise I have ever seen, despite the icy wind and frigid rain.

Austin, Carson, Jose, and me.

Jose is hilarious. Most outgoing person I`ve ever met, by far. He just about sang and danced and sprinted his way up Fuji-san, wearing his knee high soccer socks and short soccer shorts, trying to encourage the struggling Japanese. Kampai, Jose!

My beautiful little bedroom in the Okada household. How much I miss it!

Jun and Yu back in Tokyo, wishing me well on my travels. See you guys soon!

A little poem I wrote:

Kawaguchi-Ko (Kawaguchi Lake)

Foreign tunes

From foreign tounges

And a familiar beat

That pronounces

globalization

My feet drum along

To the beat we are all familiar with:

One, two

One, two

Across this oriental village.

The Plan:

Now I hitchhike through Shikoku, go hiking in it`s mountains, and will hit Hiroshima by the 6th. I`ll try to find another internet cafe by then.

I hope everyone back home is happy, healthy and safe, and you are all in my modest prayers.

KAMPAI!