High
O snail,
Climb Mt. Fuji,
But slowly, slowly!
-Issa
Thanks goes to my dad for finding that one. Due to a decision made three days ago, my coworker Masako and I are climbing Mt. Fuji tomorrow. I’ve never climbed a mountain before, but it’s now or never. That’s not just an expression either. The “official” Fuji climbing season ended August 31st (though it’s generally okay until mid-September), and won’t start until next July, when I’ll be… Well. I won’t be here. There’s a saying, “If you never climb Mt. Fuji you are a fool, and if you climb it more than once you are a fool.” We’ll start the climb from the Kawaguchiko 5th Station around 9 PM, climb all night, and watch the sunrise from the top. From there it’ll be a painful slide back down. So wish me luck!
As for Europe photos, don’t hold your breath. My camera (along with my wallet, keys, mp3 player and favorite chapstick) are in London still. A fact of which I’m quite jealous. It’s a long story, so I won’t go into it now. Actually, it’s not a long story at all. I left it at the security gate before boarding the train to Paris. I just didn’t want to expand upon my stupidity. (And the irony is, I had been paranoid about pickpockets the entire trip, always carefully guarding my purse, yet I was the one to leave it behind.) As to when – and if – it’ll be shipped back to me here in Japan is still in negotiation… so, like I said, don’t hold your breath. But I will borrow Kathy’s camera for the climb, so I will have some Fuji photos to post soon.
