Backpacking

heard me? Had I really aroused their attention, or had it gone straight to answerphone? As (technically speaking) a Christian, would I be reconnected to God at 40 sins a minute? Sadly, these are ultimate questions that will never be answered, just like my wish.

Back in the sane world, there was a wishboard outside on which, for further financial outlay (I

don't mean to sound cynical, I realise they have to raise funds to maintain the temple and gardens somehow) one could write a wish on a small wooden board and hang it up for others to read. There were boards in all sorts of languages, mainly Japanese but also English, French, German, Korean, Thai and more. Bizarrely, I found one written by Rupert, who I had travelled with last week. And no, it didn't read "I never want to see that Steve character again".

We spent the evening in a tiny bar that pretty much consisted of 6 bar seats and a couple of small tables. It was very cosy and played excellent music. After fuelling our appetites we went to a typical Japanese pub near Tak's house (at which we were all very kindly staying) and feasted and drank more. To our disbelief, it came to less than a tenner a head - they must have made some mistake! Oh well, sod it - Kampai!

Day 17: 16th February Did the earth move for you too?

Tokyo, Japan

This morning - well, possibly closer to this afternoon - Tak came in and said "Did you feel