So one day I went for a walk...

It is 11pm and it is the first time I have been dry in 12 hours. Today was one heck of a day, so let's start at the beginning. Yesterday I checked on to a hotel south of Nagoya in Anjo. It was the first day since leaving my new friend Mandy's place, and the cold I fought for my entire stay with her wasn't entirely gone.  I was careful to confirm the checkout time for the morning. The clerk slowly thought about the right words in English and kindly informed me that checkout was at 10am. Making my way to my room I found myself in a smoking room, so it didn't smell great, and the mattress was mostly springs and not really padded. But I was too tired to care.  I read the information on the table and confirmed the 10am checkout time.  A few few hours later I would tuck in for the night.  I paused for a moment, considering when I wanted to get going the next morning and set my alarm for... 10 fucking am. I slept marginally above poorly, and woke up with my alarm....

Today I leave Kyoto.  I have probably stayed longer than should, and certainly longer than necessary, but I have enjoyed my time here and have grown from it. My last few days have been peaceful, quiet and relaxing.  The city is filled with things to see and do, but I haven't felt their draw for a while, so instead I have spent my time enjoying the quiet space here. As when I left Osaka, saying goodbye to Takanori and his Banana Hammock guest house, I will be sad to put behind me Noeli & Maca and the Hanakanzashi.  Leaving the warmth and friendship shown to me by Takanori was much harder than I had expected it to be, and I know this will be very true here as well. These two women have been kind and friendly to me, and I have enjoyed being able to spend time in their company immensely.  It is certainly a big part of why I chose to stay as long as I did. But this journey isn't about sitting still, and I have done enough of that for now. It is time once again...