"California"
It was to be our fifteen minutes of fame.
Tonight a national TV show featuring the 88 Temples pilgrimage would air in prime time. We would be a part of it.
Over a month ago a film crew began its production about the pilgrimage. At Temple 5, they asked us to participate. Would we answer a few questions?
Who were we?
Where we we from?
Why were we doing the pilgrimage?
What did we hope to achieve?
For ten minutes we took turns replying to their questions. It was exciting. Although it had come up in conversation over the last month, we had all but forgotten about the interview.
This evening our friends Yasuko and Mieko were driving from the Hiroshima prefecture to visit and walk temples with us. They brought the news that the episode would air tonight.
Would our interviews make it?
After dinner with our friends we turned on the TV and anxiously awaited showtime.
Let’s just say our fifteen minutes were more like 0.15 seconds. Our segment was part of a quick montage. When answering the question “Where are we from”, Matt enthusiastically replied “California”. Unfortunately he chose that same moment to make a wardrobe adjustment. The result was a comical expression that is embedded in Japanese television history forever.
Guess that’s why we prefer to be behind the camera.
The next morning over breakfast, Mieko, Yasuko, superstar Matt, and I all had a good laugh about our performance.
With “Where are you from” behind us, we focused on where we were going. Today the four of us would visit three temples together. We packed our bags and ourselves into Mieko’s car and drove into Kagawa, the fourth and final prefecture of the 88 temples.
We picked good temples to be car pilgrims. At 3060 feet Temple 66 (Unpen-ji) is at the highest altitude point of the entire pilgrimage. We spent time at the temple taking photos and enjoying each others company.
Two roads would take us to our next temple. The one we came on, or the alternate road. The first would be safe, the other adventurous. A quick reference to the GPS confirmed the alternate road was open for vehicles. Gripping the steering wheel Mieko turned towards adventure.
Applause and cheers roared from the car.
Soon we were all gripping some part of the vehicle. Our road had gotten narrower and less paved. Mieko drove like a pro, smiling between potholes. We made it down from the Hovering Clouds Temple just in time for ramen lunch at a roadside cafe. Once again we laughed about our experiences. This time however vowing not to repeat it.
It seemed like we had just started when it was time to say good-bye to our friends at Temple 67 (Daikō-ji). Retrieving our backpacks from the trunk of the car a curious Mieko and Yasuko asked to try them on. Were they considering trading in the car for walking shoes? After adjusting the straps to make everything fit perfect, the question was answered as they quickly returned our heavy packs to us.
Flashes of fame can’t hold a candle to good friendships. Our time with Mieko and Yasuko was filled with enough laughter and adventure to make a classic feature film.
May 15, 2016 - Temples 64-67
