Day 16 – Hotel at the Temple 26

Last night was lovely.  The morning spoke of rain all day and all night.  Very happy I booked a hotel at the top of Temple 26 today.  Long walk but worth it.  It took until noon to make Temple 24 and I passed the cave where Kukai achieved enlightenment.  There was this enormous statue of Ohenro on the way too.  Up the stairs to the temple we go!  At the top I realize I just have enough coins for the stamp and I am hungry.  Luckily a Lawson is very close to Temple 25.  7 kms later I am at the Lawson stuffing my face.  I get a text and end up cancelling my travel credit card.  Evidently, someone was testing it in California…when I am in Japan.  I wonder how they got the number.  Oh well, I still have three backups to go before I have to call Mom for help.  I think I can get a new one when I reach Tokyo.  I left my walking stick at Temple 25.  Ugh.  I admit that I have left it many times and went back for it.  Now, I cannot decide if I want to take a bus back to look for it.  Ugh.  Dinner tonight was over the top.  So good.  The Japanese know how to eat and can really put it away.  My body needs the calories for sure.  I am already down 15 pounds from the day I left Hesperia and I am not even that far in yet.  On the Camino, I lost about a half pound a day.  The Shikoku is averaging a pound or more a day.  Admittedly, the Shikoku is hot with 80 percent humidity.  I hydrate whenever possible.  Seriously, I really drink a ton of water. I am done for the night now.