This is the last post for my transformational trip to Japan.
On that night, without any clear plan in mind, I decided to visit the shrine the next day.
The pinkish dream
I returned to my room after finishing my breakfast. Even though it was in the morning, I felt extremely sleepy. I decided to take a nap.
Then something happened.
I “saw” two ladies, both wearing hot pink wind breakers, walked into my room. They looked exactly the same as the host of the hotel and her mother-in-law. With my fully-closed eyes, I could vividly “feel” their arrival and heard them uttering some words in Japanese.
While the old woman was trying to wake me up, her daughter-in-law was arranging the stuff in the room. I was too tired, and the lady’s effort to wake me up was in vain. I “saw” she made a gesture to her daughter-in-law, reminding her to leave the room. Then, they left the room and tried their best not to wake me up.
After a while, I finally awake from the reality. Still immersed in my dream, I observed my environment: my stuff was as messy as always, and there was no signs of anyone had entered the room.
I felt the chill from my back.
At the same time, I received a phone call from a scammer, warning me that someone used my phone number to scam other people in Mainland China. 🤣
When these dramas were over, I embarked on the journey to the shrine.
For some unknown reasons, there was a voice in my heart telling me to go on foot. Even though it would take me more than one and half an hours, I felt like I should do it by myself.
Another reason was very obvious: Save money.
Walking out of the entrance, I was overwhelmed by exhilaration. Never had I imagine that I would be going on a journey like the ancient people did in the old times. Every step on the icy path felt so unreal and exciting.
On my way to the shrine, I encountered a stranger who was heading to the same direction. When I showed him the location of the shrine, he was shocked. At last, he said I could call his number if any accident happened.
And he also said,
“Don’t worry. I am worried. Just in case you need help.”
Fortunately, I didn’t have to dial the number.
The man and I separated at the intersection of the street. I became a solo traveler again. Occasionally some pedestrians would appear on the street with umbrellas on their hands. Even though many shops were erecting on the street, their iron roller shutters were tightly closed. My world had never been so calm and quiet.
Instantly, I realized why it was dubbed as “The snow country”.
I was overjoyed by the unreal scene in front of me. It had been forty-five minutes since I departed from the hotel. I followed the instructions provided by Google Map, and I was getting closer to the shrine.
Soon, I would be able to see the shrine I had been yearning for a long time!
My heart was filled with indescribable happiness.
I thought I arrived in the location, but Google Map reminded me that the “true location” existed on the mountain, which would require me to go to mountain peak.
But I saw the shrine in front of me. Confused, I decided to visit the shrine appeared right in front of me.
Except my fear stopped me from climbing over the snow to find it.
I listened to the devilish advice by Google Map and went upwards.
Indeed, there was a silver lining in Google Map’s mistake. If I didn’t go upward, I wouldn’t discover the snowy, blurry scene that only appeared in movies and photo books.
I had never imagined that I would be able to see such a lovely, sacred Panorama in my life.
“If the cost to see such a beauty was the sufferings and shitty things that had happened in my life, they worth it.”, I thought.
My life suddenly became very blissful.
As I got higher, the wind became stronger. My vision began to become clear, as the fog was getting thinner in the air. Worst of all, a slope in front of me was fully covered by snow. It was impossible to go forward without a shovel.
At the same time, my dad sent me a message to remind me be aware of the wild bears in the mountain.
Knowing it was my limit, I decided to return to the starting point.
Dilemma
When I was passing the shrine, I was thinking,
“Am I losing the only chance to visit the shrine?”
“Yes. If you don’t go, you will waste your effort.”
But it was surrounded by snow that was on my waist level! My shoes and clothes would get wet.
Go for it!
My heart defeated my rationality. I raised my legs and stepped into the snow. The first few steps were fine as hell. My clothes and shoes didn’t get wet. As I got closer to the shrine, the snow stayed on my shoes clothes, and I could feel my socks were fully damp.
My phone also dropped into the snow.
Still heaving, I stood in front of the shrine and made several wishes:
- Get an offer from the WEF early cohort program (I didn’t get the offer in the end)
- Help me to let go of my feelings towards my former crush
- Find a full-time job
- Move out
- Find an ideal partner
When everything was ready, I added,
“If you could hear my wishes, could you inform me via a special medium or sign? I promise you that I will try my best to reduce my bad habit and live everyday with the best version of myself. “
I bowed three times. No noise. No distractions.
Pure calmness and peacefulness.
It was around 1pm when I left the mountain. I was no longer filled with excitement but calmness and joy. On my way back to the hotel, I had to went through the streets, and I soon discovered that the unknown power heard my wish…
The signs in the cake shop
All restaurants were closed at that hour. To satisfy my hunger, I stopped and rested at a small-scale cake shop. The Japanese lady asked me where did I go since she was surprised to see a foreigner at that moment.
I told her I had been walking from the hotel and visited the shrine. She was shocked to death. Seeing my wet hair and socks, she gave me a cup of green tea. And I also bought two pieces of cake from her. I ate one of them immediately.
The lady then handed me a red mail post shaped rubbish bin.
I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw the word on the bin.
“LARK“.
It was the name of my former crush.
I used the translation app to share the meaning of the words with the lady. Shocked, she also added,
“Lark is the name of a cigarette brand in this area.”
No wonder I got drunk when I was rejected by my former crush. My former crush was my oral fixation. 🤡 Starting from that moment, whenever my former crush’s name appeared in my mind, I could only think of cigarette.
But the lady gave me another gift. Also, she reminded me not to drink alcohol again.
And the chicken on the towel bore the resemblance of the doll I bought in Laos🤣.
At last, I left the shop and returned to the hotel. It was very tough since it was snowing in the afternoon. Yet, I made it, but nearly got myself into biggest trouble in the bathroom, not in the snow.
Back in the hotel, I change my clothes and had dinner immediately. A strange idea emerged –do I really hate the taste of alcohol? Out of curiosity, I ordered a cup of beer.
Sadly, I didn’t like it.
Calm but dangerous
But the worst thing happened. In the bathroom, I saw a bathtub filled with hot water. A day spent in ice and snow intensified my craving for warmth and hot water. Forgetting I had drank alcohol, I bathed myself into the hot water.
I couldn’t feel more comfortable. Five minutes later, I raised from the water and walked out of the bathroom. Then,
I was collapsing. I lost my footing and ability to stand still. I struggled to maintain my conscious.
Nearly fell on the floor, I threw myself to the chair near the wardrobe and put on my clothes.
I had never felt so close to death. My awareness was fading, but my limps were trying to drag me out of the changing room. Then I stumbled, climbed the stairs, and opened the door and laid on the mat in the room.
15 minutes later, I opened my eyes with a heavy mind. I realized I was very close to death. But I felt like I was a new person again. I finally could experience the calm, worry-free emotions.
Even though only one of my wishes was fulfilled, I was very grateful for everything happened in this journey.
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Finally, I have already shared my interesting experience in Japan.
PS: It is an extremely bad example for safety measurement. Please don’t mimic my behavior🙏
If you’re interested in this blog post, please like and comment below! Will get to you soon!
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