Hitting the Wall

For a number of years I did triathlons and marathons. There comes a point during the 26.2 miles of a marathon around mile 21 or 22 when you “hit the wall.” It is at that point that every cell within your body questions why you ever subjected yourself to doing such a crazy thing and every body part from your eyelids to your toenails goes into complete shutdown mode. You just want to quit and go home. This past couple of weeks since returning from Korea I have had the experience of “hitting the wall” on my journey after almost 4 months of living solo on planet Japan.

I am now 110 days into my journey. That's a long time to be on your own. There have been so many good fortunes, kind souls who have crossed my path, epic experiences, synchronicities, even typhoons. I have enjoyed sharing many of these for those at home following along. The challenges, obstacles, daily confusions, isolation, rainy days, wrong paths have all had their equal measure but I have spared you those details.

Don’t get me wrong. I love Japan, especially Kyoto. In just over 3 months I have had more experiences and met more interesting people than I could begin to write about on this site. I have lived in a traditional Japanese house, walked through some of the most beautiful zen gardens and temples in the world, learned about the “way of tea”, explored calligraphy and sumi-e painting, meditated in a temple with Buddhist monks and lived in the heart of ancient Japan.

However, waking up every day in a place where you don’t speak the language and there is a very different way of viewing the world, you are without most of the things you are accustomed to, it takes a collective toll on your energy and physicality. I read about this a bit and it is normal to go through a bit of a psychological curve along the way. It is not a straight line. Some people melt down. Some people throw in the towel and go home. This seems to be confirmed by a few of those whom I have met who have been here for any long period of time. The days are now shorter, the weather is getting colder.

Then, this past week, as I was reading a book on a subject completely unrelated to travel, this passage came along for me at just the right time....synchronicities....

“It takes an intrepid spirit to leave the comfortable and familiar and travel into the unknown, but as any seasoned world traveler knows, the moments of hassle and discomfort are worth it. You will return from this outer sojourn and inner journey as a better and more worldly person. You will become infinitely more cosmopolitan because you will connect not just to the people you might meet in places like Istanbul or Delhi, but to all people everywhere as you venture into shared inner domain. This inner journey may take you temporarily out of the comfort zone of your familiar home, but it will eventually deliver you to your true home in the center of yourself.” -Andrew Holocek

This morning, as has happened so many times, I woke up as if I had just arrived in Kyoto. The sun began to creep in through my window. It was Sunday. I sat quietly and simply listened to the beginning of a new day. I decided to make a fresh start and go out and engage this beautiful city of Kyoto, Japan. I engaged with new faces. Exchanged new smiles. I walked endlessly along the Kamogawa River and passed people on bikes, watched families enjoying their bento box picnics, watched a crane beside a waterfall as he walked toward me, said “hello” to an old man with a cane, made a little girl laugh, and soaked in all that I enjoy so much about Kyoto and the rare gift and opportunity I have to be here and have this transformative experience.

My walk ultimately led me to the Kamigamo Shrine where I got to watch the Annual Kasagake Ritual. Kasagake, rooted in Shintoism, dates back 800 years and is Japan’s oldest horseback archery ritual. In kasagake arrows are shot from galloping horses at small targets.

Today I found my way back to the sunshine again. I look forward to sharing the rest of my journey with you. Thanks for coming along.

Kyoto, Japan Day 110

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“A good traveler has no fixed plans and is not intent upon arriving. A good artist lets his intuition lead him wherever it wants. A good scientist has freed himself of concepts and keeps his mind open to what is.

Thus the Master is available to all people and doesn't reject anyone. He is ready to use all situations and doesn't waste anything. This is called embodying the light.”

-Lao Tzu