day 1, 3:10pm, it's the real deal

up until today the whole trip had only been google maps, train time tables and digital photos.

reality is so much more. that seems likes it'd be obvious, but it's easy to forget in a lifestyle of routine where all your information is consumed at home. i forgot.

i guess i'm ready now.

koya-san was beautiful. i got some interesting pictures. ex.a gravestone shaped like a nasa saturn rocket. mostly it was the trees that amazed me. monestaries and old temples are everywhere in japan but it's hard to find gorgeous cedar trees like koya-san's anywhere.

lastly, i met my very first ohenro friend. her name is midori matsukawa and she was just finishing up her second pilgrimage. she helped me get through my first day as an ohenro. she had taken a tent on her trip and camped out. she had lots of tips and advice for me. i won't even tell you what she said about the snakes. yikes!

thank you midori! and i promise not to tell everyone you're 52.

that's all for now. i'm off to catch a ferry.