Day 34: 88 Temples (49-53) - Matsuyama

We thought today was going to be a light day and we dottled at the hotel.  We didn't catch the train until 8:30 and started walking at 9.  Temple 49 was a few blocks from the train.  One done.


The first two temples went pretty fast and we felt it was going to be an easy day.


Temple 51 had a randomness to it I loved.  There were vendors along the way to the gate.  There was a lot of commotion going on and as we got into the temple grounds we could see a huge bonfire and some ceremony going on.  There was a big crowd, the monks were chanting, a drum was drumming and kids were dressed in special kimonos.  We spent quite a bit of time enjoying the festivities.  As we got our books signed we were given some special festival mochi.


It was a little later we realized the 3 quick temples was a trick.  We had a long 10km slog to the next one and it was getting late.  About half way things were hurting so we were looking for a place to get some quick noodles.  Many places were closed on Monday.  Eventually we found a chain restaurant for donburi and it was cheap, fast and ok.


I wanted a place to sit down for a few minutes and the map showed something that looked like a park beside a pond.  I was hoping for some benches.  There was a pond but it was a driving range.  A guy in a boat was fishing out balls.  It was bizarre.  No park and no benches, though.


The next part was where things got really hard.  Your body hurts and you feel like you're not getting anywhere.  I was just focusing on one foot in front of the other.


Finally, we got to Temple 52.  It was a tease ... nearly a kilometer from the gate to the temple.  There was also a bit of a climb.  The office was down the hill 300m from the actual temple and we got our books stamped first.  It was a nice temple; set in the woods, up a hill.  52 gave us energy.  Leaving I got a nice bag of tangerines for ¥100 at an honor stand.


The last 2km to Temple 53 went pretty quick because we knew we would soon be on the train back to our hotel.  53 was not particularly memorable, other than it meant we were done for the day.


After waiting for the train, the ride was only 12 minutes.  Back at the hotel: laundry, shower, tea.  


For dinner we tried a sushi place that was closed.  Another was too full.  We wandered into a place that was open but empty.  It turned out to be pretty good.  We ordered way too much.  Oh, well ... leftover fried chicken for mid-morning snack.



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