The Long Walk
Walking from Temple 6 to Temple 11 - 24 km.
It's been tough today. There were more open areas without the protection of trees from the sun. I think I'm more burned than yesterday. For some reason, my backpack is heavier than yesterday. I'm so hot; when I squish my shirt, water comes out. I'm dehydrated because there were longer stretches between temples, so fewer chances to get water.
Through all of this: I feel great. I walked from Temple 6, where I slept, to Temple 11. In total, 24 km. I never got a ride but thought about asking a few times.
It started so nice. I said goodbye to my new Japanese friends. I started walking with the children but eventually surpassed them. They were on the bus, but I always caught up to them. They chanted while I meditated for a few minutes. After temple 8, they disappeared.
The wide open spaces in between the temples.
As mentioned, the walks had more open spaces, with wide-open rice fields and layered mountains. The scenes were breathtaking. I just looked as I walked. Thought as I walked. I read road signs aloud to get the sound of the language. I practiced the chants I learned the night before. It was nice.
Temple 10 was a pain. It was in the mountains. I sat for a long time before I climbed it. It was painful. Blisters were forming, but I made it up. The next challenge was getting to Temple 11, a 9 km walk with the threat of a thunderstorm. The closer I got, the more I couldn’t walk. The sign would count meters, and I’d groan. I got there and nearly collapsed. I hitchhiked to the Onsan (spa or jimjilbang)
Just an amazing day.