The time is quickly slipping by, and the need to prepare myself for the trip is becoming more salient. I’ve finished finals for coursework in vocational counseling, multicultural counseling, and a pre-practicum, and so now I have some time to sit down and reflect on all that needs to be covered to make this a successful trip.
First, I’ll need a good Japanese-English dictionary, I’m thinking Kodansha’s Furigana Japanese Dictionary provides furigana (the small kana script above each Kanji) which is perfect for pronunciation, looking up words, and for learning new Kanji as they might appear in temples and across the countryside.
Second, I’ll need to consider the fact that we’ll be hiking whenever we’re not sleeping, and so I’ll need a lightweight pack. It’s been recommended that one not bring a pack and supplies that weigh more than 10% of their weight, so I’ll have to consider (given the dictionary itself is 2.5 pounds… that’s already 1.4% of my weight …) what I bring very carefully. Given I’ll also be bringing my netbook (another ~2.5 lbs), questionnaires for pilgrims, sleeping bag, long johns, toiletries, as well the necessary henro gear, I’ll have to be careful what I choose.
Sleeping will be tricky, especially if I want to save cash by not sleeping in the more expensive Minshuku. Luckily, I found this secret list of free lodging along the pilgrimage, which seems like a traditional form of couch surfing. I’m getting rather excited about that.
I’ll keep you updated as things progress!
I think you might have some trouble finding the shoes! Love the pic though!