On The Go – Day 4

Today was a day of rest…. Sort of.

That is to say: we didn’t spend half the day on trains getting someplace. No…. This is not cynicism, just a reality. In Japan, if you’re not driving, it’s too far to walk, and you want to get someplace a train is a good bet.

Today we just stayed around town, enjoyed the people, some shopping, took a walk to a local Shinto Shrine, and even took a nap.

I learned that in Wakayama at least, it seems that kindergarten students all go to school in large dedicated building with a huge back lot for outdoor activities. In this case it was built near a Shinto Shrine.

Although any Shrine tends to be a tourist attraction, they are in fact places of worship, a place of solitude, and a place where any number of Monks live out there lives probably doing just that.

During recess at the school the students made the area sound like the trees were filled with thousands of small human sounding, birds all squawking at the same time.

As we were walking through the forested Shrine we saw the children all at once from behind a small gate between the properties.

Such wonderful exhibit of uninhibited energy to behold.

I also learned that I do not like Soba noodles, which are just really nice Asian wheat noodles served cold.

Noodles shouldn’t be cold…

My daughter, I learned, loved them and I respect her right to do so.

I also learned that I love being a dad that has daughters that enjoy his company. Whether we’re busy exploring or just sitting and focusing on our individual activities, we’re comfortable just being together.

With this kind of relationship, it’s nice to explore life and in this case Japan together.

it’s less likely we’ll get lost. And if we do, at least we’re not alone.

It’s nice being trusted and enjoyed.