Day 5: the start of the not starting yet.
Yesterday was all kinds of depressing. But it is amazing the difference a good night's sleep can make.
I know it will take a week or two for the temperature to start to fall to a safer, more manageable level for me to start the hike again. And while the waiting could be a source of frustration, I am determined to make the best of it.
My host Takanori gave me good advice on many things to see and do nearby. I am extremely happy to be staying in Takanori's guest house, as he has made me feel very welcome, and our conversations have been very enjoyable.
Today the first order of business is to go to the local supermarkets, once they open, and take a good long time really figuring out trail food.
I didn't discuss my food selection in a previous post, but it was an added source of consternation during those first two hard days on the trail.
The morning of my first hiking day I had stopped at a supermarket near the trailhead to find supplies. The supermarket was at a glance no different than any western supermarket, only much more compact.
As I had my pack on my back, as there was no where for me to leave it, if I were to turn to face any shelf directly I would block the entire isle. So all of my shopping had to be done sideways. Add to that the significant number of people in the store, and shopping was a bit stressful.
I had eventually found packed food that look like it would work, mainly packages of pre-cooked rice and tins food with pulltabs.
As it turned out, the pre-cooked rice was more like 3/4 cooked, and the microwave directions were going to take it that last 1/4. I did understand this while shopping as all the packing is, of course, in Japanese. Nor did I happen to have access to a microwave on top of that mountain where I setup camp for the night, so I ate some rather firm rice. Which, as you can imagine, wasn't a mood booster at the end of an extremely exhausting day.
Add to that my selection of tins of spam (yes, spam. It was the only tin of food I could identify and I knew I needed the protein) and it wasn't a meal that I enjoyed in any form.
The morning brought round two, same things, but was boosted by a small package of baby corn in water. Adding the water to the rice didn't soften it, but at least made it go down easier. And the corn was very tasty.
So, today will be the first day of many packaged food experiments, as I try to find some better options for the trail.
Do I expect to be eating like I'm at the bar of the sushi restaurant across the street each day on the trail? No. But I would like it if my meals didn't make me regret the choices in life that brought me to that moment.
I know it will take a week or two for the temperature to start to fall to a safer, more manageable level for me to start the hike again. And while the waiting could be a source of frustration, I am determined to make the best of it.
My host Takanori gave me good advice on many things to see and do nearby. I am extremely happy to be staying in Takanori's guest house, as he has made me feel very welcome, and our conversations have been very enjoyable.
Takanori and me!
Today the first order of business is to go to the local supermarkets, once they open, and take a good long time really figuring out trail food.
I didn't discuss my food selection in a previous post, but it was an added source of consternation during those first two hard days on the trail.
The morning of my first hiking day I had stopped at a supermarket near the trailhead to find supplies. The supermarket was at a glance no different than any western supermarket, only much more compact.
As I had my pack on my back, as there was no where for me to leave it, if I were to turn to face any shelf directly I would block the entire isle. So all of my shopping had to be done sideways. Add to that the significant number of people in the store, and shopping was a bit stressful.
I had eventually found packed food that look like it would work, mainly packages of pre-cooked rice and tins food with pulltabs.
As it turned out, the pre-cooked rice was more like 3/4 cooked, and the microwave directions were going to take it that last 1/4. I did understand this while shopping as all the packing is, of course, in Japanese. Nor did I happen to have access to a microwave on top of that mountain where I setup camp for the night, so I ate some rather firm rice. Which, as you can imagine, wasn't a mood booster at the end of an extremely exhausting day.
Add to that my selection of tins of spam (yes, spam. It was the only tin of food I could identify and I knew I needed the protein) and it wasn't a meal that I enjoyed in any form.
The morning brought round two, same things, but was boosted by a small package of baby corn in water. Adding the water to the rice didn't soften it, but at least made it go down easier. And the corn was very tasty.
So, today will be the first day of many packaged food experiments, as I try to find some better options for the trail.
Do I expect to be eating like I'm at the bar of the sushi restaurant across the street each day on the trail? No. But I would like it if my meals didn't make me regret the choices in life that brought me to that moment.
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