GOIN' SOLO

Another long weekend has just passed. My plan was to have a cheap one since I've a long Christmas break coming up. Turned out to be a fun weekend hanging out with the new ALTs in my area. Had a couple of nice meals and went for a few games of bowling. Sunday I was hoping to do a bit of studying. But, when I got up, it was far too nice a day to waste doing something so trivial. And after a weekend's socialising I was looking forward to some Mark-time so I packed my stuff, jumped in the car and headed off to my favourite mountain. With the leaves past their peak beauty the roads were pretty quiet and I really enjoyed cruising along to some new tunes, stopping occasionally to take a few snaps.

This was to be my fifth time to climb Kurikoma-san, but my first time alone. Arriving at the carpark, I seen the weather wasn't so great higher up. But that was cool, I've already seen all the views and I was just out for some thinking time (what's the meaning of life, how can I save Africa, will I ever be able to grow a proper beard, etc).

I climbed the whole mountain from top to bottom and only saw three other people. The ending of the leaf-viewing season and the gathering clouds seemed to keep everyone away. It was perfect. I had a nice slow dander, stopping when I liked to take photos or make a hot coffee. It's gotten pretty cold here in Japan this last week or two and I was glad I packed my beanie and fleece. Hibernation time I think. Also my fear of bears seems to have subsided (maybe because of my new teddy bear) and I was able to relax and think about what to do next year.

The final section to the top was covered in dense mist/cloud. It wasn't unpleasant, just a little eerie. But when I finally made it to the top, it was actually quite spooky. Every time I've been here before, even when there were very few people on the trails, there where always large groups up top. This time, however, there was no-one. Not a single person. There was no view at all and even the summit post and direction signs were difficult to see. And the wind was picking up a bit too, making it all seem like something from a scary movie.

I found myself a sheltered spot and made some hot noodles. It was surprisingly relaxing, surrounded by mist and wind, being the only person on top of my favourite mountain. With my fleece and hat and rainproof jacket, and all the things you don't appreciate unless you've been stuck without them before, it was like being in my own little coccoon. Just waiting to become a beautifull butterfly. Waiting and waiting and waiting...

My belly full and thoughts more settled than they've been in a long time, I headed back. Taking a different trail on the return I soon caught site of something white and bobbing, coming at me through the mist. It was an old lady, or obaasan, as they're called out here. She was marching along at a great pace. A little strange looking though, with her hat seemingly made of old cut-up towels. We said our konichiwa's as we passed, but a couple of seconds later she shouted back to me. Asking me where I was from, I turned around and answered. Standing quite a distance apart we had a quick conversation in Japanese; where do you live, how long have you been here, what do you do, etc. It felt strange because we weren't standing close, so we were kind of shouting over the wind. I got the feeling she was hurrying to make it to the top (it was getting late) and didn't want to backtrack. This distance plus the towels on her head gave the whole situation a surreal and comical effect. When she shouted her final farewal remark, Nihon daisuke (You love Japan?), she dramatically flung her arms out to the side and bowed, like an old fashioned actress taking a bow. It was hilarious and had me chuckling all the way down the mountain.

The top.