Welcoming Sunday
All weekend felt like I was preparing for Sunday. Friday seems like a distant memory, but in the back of my mind I can sort of remember. Megan and I went to Sapporo for a few things. For me, it was to talk to a travel agent, buy the application to take the Japanese proficiency test, get a haircut, buy cayenne pepper, and some extra virgin olive oil. Yep, nothing too exciting there. But we did manage to stay 8 hours, and fit in a movie. We ended up watching Fahrenheit 9-11 after I was too late in getting back from the travel place for us to watch Shrek 2. So instead of laughter we had intensity. For those who haven't seen it, I would recommend watching it.
Saturday, I quickly cleaned as soon as I woke up, because my house was a disaster and there were people coming to stay the night. And I had to pack because I was going to be spending the night on top of Mt. Yotei. But all that got interrupted when Jack phoned me, saying he was only moments from my door. Him and Aki, busted through shortly after and it was GREAT to see them after so long.
An hour later, still not packed, still no where near organized, Megan, Laurel, and Jonn show up ready to climb. An hour later, and mad running around, I am ready to go, and we are on our way to the mountain. A spare key set outside for the Steve and his family, Mel, and Sarah who had yet to come.
The climb up Yotei was my third and probably the one most felt. For the first time I was carrying a huge hiking back pack filled with 2.5 litres of water, a sleeping bag, a sleeping pad, a down vest, toque, mitts, two long sleeve shirts, a t-shirt, sweat pants, and food for that day and the next morning. Yep, it was heavy, many breaks were needed, and a long journey to be had.
But we all got to the mountain hut. The man in charge of the hut hikes up and down every week with supplies, 25kg worth on his back to last him a week while he maintains the place. Welcoming tired visitors and maintaining the trails, he seemed at peace. In the winter he telemark skis up Mt. Yotei. The man really does love that mountain. His eyes would glitter when he spoke it's name. It was beautiful.
The hike itself, we started around 1pm, and got up around 5pm. Dropped off our stuff at the hut, and then hiked up to the peak to watch the sunrise. Back down, a small dinner, then bed. Trying to sleep when you know you have to get up in a few hours to hike again seems impossible. I tossed and turned, and at 3:15am, we were all up and hiking to the top, as well as to the other side, around the crater.
The sunrise though was gorgeous. Sitting there on top of a mountain, waiting for the sun to rise, for the world to wake up, I can't imagine a better way to welcome Sunday. Blessings to the universe, Buddha, God, love, were said.
The wind was numbing, and by the time I started to hike back around to the other side my hands were frozen despite wearing mitts. Once I got back to the Makkari trail, the shadow of Yotei was spread across the ground, for moments the mountain held the sun, blocked it from touching the ground. The shape, a triangle of darkness, even with my arms spread, I could not see my own shadow blending into Yotei-zan's.
Back down to the hut, picking up our stuff, and back down. Started at the hut at 6am, and down at the bottom around 9am. Megan and Laurel didn't get down till 9:30am, but after that we rushed back to Kimobetsu, got back into our respective cars, and went to the farm festival.
Oh no, no time to sleep this time around.
The farm festival was amazing though. Sadly, Jonn and Laurel missed the milking the cows part because we didn't get there in time. But everyone seemed to have a good time. Steve and his family, Mel, Sarah, and Jason, all got to milk cows, and were checking out the place when we showed up. The environment was so laid back and beautiful. Every now and then people would pick up an instrument and start playing, or start dancing, fresh veggies being sold, people just sitting on the ground everywhere. Scott from Hakodate showed up, with news of Tanya and Peter and Taja, and a new sports car. He hung out, bought me my first hippie looking hat, and enjoyed a side of Japan no one ever really sees.
The African drumming concert was last and was inspirational. Not only were people dancing, singing, but the crowd brought out their own drums and instruments and started playing along. Blending into the sound and wrapping us all into a blanket of rhythm and beauty.
After it all ended, Steve and his family gave Mel and Sarah a ride back home, Jason left in his own car, I drove Jonn home, and Scott came and hung out at my place for a bit. We chatted and caught up, it has been about 6 months since I have seen him last. Still not showered since Saturday, and after hiking, really tired and sore, he gave me a foot massage. I of course melted on the floor and let me body sink in. After that he gave me a back and neck massage before leaving back to Hakodate. (To all my other friends, you should follow Scott's example, I love massages). And me, well I showered off the oil, then crawled into bed.
I spent my weekend surrounded by nature, love, beauty, song, and play. This is what life is about. My heart restored.
All weekend felt like I was preparing for Sunday. Friday seems like a distant memory, but in the back of my mind I can sort of remember. Megan and I went to Sapporo for a few things. For me, it was to talk to a travel agent, buy the application to take the Japanese proficiency test, get a haircut, buy cayenne pepper, and some extra virgin olive oil. Yep, nothing too exciting there. But we did manage to stay 8 hours, and fit in a movie. We ended up watching Fahrenheit 9-11 after I was too late in getting back from the travel place for us to watch Shrek 2. So instead of laughter we had intensity. For those who haven't seen it, I would recommend watching it.
Saturday, I quickly cleaned as soon as I woke up, because my house was a disaster and there were people coming to stay the night. And I had to pack because I was going to be spending the night on top of Mt. Yotei. But all that got interrupted when Jack phoned me, saying he was only moments from my door. Him and Aki, busted through shortly after and it was GREAT to see them after so long.
An hour later, still not packed, still no where near organized, Megan, Laurel, and Jonn show up ready to climb. An hour later, and mad running around, I am ready to go, and we are on our way to the mountain. A spare key set outside for the Steve and his family, Mel, and Sarah who had yet to come.
The climb up Yotei was my third and probably the one most felt. For the first time I was carrying a huge hiking back pack filled with 2.5 litres of water, a sleeping bag, a sleeping pad, a down vest, toque, mitts, two long sleeve shirts, a t-shirt, sweat pants, and food for that day and the next morning. Yep, it was heavy, many breaks were needed, and a long journey to be had.
But we all got to the mountain hut. The man in charge of the hut hikes up and down every week with supplies, 25kg worth on his back to last him a week while he maintains the place. Welcoming tired visitors and maintaining the trails, he seemed at peace. In the winter he telemark skis up Mt. Yotei. The man really does love that mountain. His eyes would glitter when he spoke it's name. It was beautiful.
The hike itself, we started around 1pm, and got up around 5pm. Dropped off our stuff at the hut, and then hiked up to the peak to watch the sunrise. Back down, a small dinner, then bed. Trying to sleep when you know you have to get up in a few hours to hike again seems impossible. I tossed and turned, and at 3:15am, we were all up and hiking to the top, as well as to the other side, around the crater.
The sunrise though was gorgeous. Sitting there on top of a mountain, waiting for the sun to rise, for the world to wake up, I can't imagine a better way to welcome Sunday. Blessings to the universe, Buddha, God, love, were said.
The wind was numbing, and by the time I started to hike back around to the other side my hands were frozen despite wearing mitts. Once I got back to the Makkari trail, the shadow of Yotei was spread across the ground, for moments the mountain held the sun, blocked it from touching the ground. The shape, a triangle of darkness, even with my arms spread, I could not see my own shadow blending into Yotei-zan's.
Back down to the hut, picking up our stuff, and back down. Started at the hut at 6am, and down at the bottom around 9am. Megan and Laurel didn't get down till 9:30am, but after that we rushed back to Kimobetsu, got back into our respective cars, and went to the farm festival.
Oh no, no time to sleep this time around.
The farm festival was amazing though. Sadly, Jonn and Laurel missed the milking the cows part because we didn't get there in time. But everyone seemed to have a good time. Steve and his family, Mel, Sarah, and Jason, all got to milk cows, and were checking out the place when we showed up. The environment was so laid back and beautiful. Every now and then people would pick up an instrument and start playing, or start dancing, fresh veggies being sold, people just sitting on the ground everywhere. Scott from Hakodate showed up, with news of Tanya and Peter and Taja, and a new sports car. He hung out, bought me my first hippie looking hat, and enjoyed a side of Japan no one ever really sees.
The African drumming concert was last and was inspirational. Not only were people dancing, singing, but the crowd brought out their own drums and instruments and started playing along. Blending into the sound and wrapping us all into a blanket of rhythm and beauty.
After it all ended, Steve and his family gave Mel and Sarah a ride back home, Jason left in his own car, I drove Jonn home, and Scott came and hung out at my place for a bit. We chatted and caught up, it has been about 6 months since I have seen him last. Still not showered since Saturday, and after hiking, really tired and sore, he gave me a foot massage. I of course melted on the floor and let me body sink in. After that he gave me a back and neck massage before leaving back to Hakodate. (To all my other friends, you should follow Scott's example, I love massages). And me, well I showered off the oil, then crawled into bed.
I spent my weekend surrounded by nature, love, beauty, song, and play. This is what life is about. My heart restored.
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