I was hiking up to a hiker's-only hotel deep in the wilderness around Mt. Kuju with six Japanese people all over forty. None of them spoke any English except Hiroko Koga, a beginning student from the Monday-night conversation class I lead (and only a little English).Late in the night, after having the dinner provided in the large dining hall of the the hotel (Hokkei Inn), and after a drinking party with my hiker comrades, I could not sleep. I decided to go to the hotel's onsen and then to watch some World Cup in the dining room. But at some point in my sleeplessness an idea came to me that I think will change the course of my life.
Although I cannot describe exactly what this idea entails, I can say that it involves a publication that promotes creative thought, contemplation, living well, and being alive while alive. An international, interdisciplinary publication driven by articles from all over the globe that focuses on these positive ideals. Sustainability, nature conservation, and eco-tourism would be possible topics. The unerlying ethos, however, would be something even broader: the promotion of conscious, vital living. The reason I am so excited about this is that not only is this an undeniably positive endeavor, but it seems like there is nothing short of death that could stop me. If it remains a barely profitable website that just a few thousand people visit, it is still worth it to me (because I believe in it and what it stands for).
The next day, after virtually no sleep, we hiked around 30 kilometers - up and down a mountain the same height as Kuju-san and through many an arroyo to our destination from which we escaped to a beautiful onsen. The name of the onsen translated to "Cold Hell" and featured a cold bath next to the larger, warm bath. The cold bath had egg-smelling sulfuric minerals in it. After the good feeling that that gave me (especially after the 30k), I don't think that I'd ever regret my wonderful weekend in the mountains. A wise man once said that insomnia never killed anyone. So when you can't sleep, still be grateful for your time (who knows, maybe a good idea will sweep you and your life away into a new future).
6 comments:
Sounds good. You've got my heartiest approval, for what it's worth. Maybe if you make it profitable some day, you can hire me as a contributor, once this grad school gig doesn't pan out.
Of course I would, Sam. I would be more than happy if that worked out.
Hello Ted. My name is Nate, and I was directed here by your mother. I'm the bus driver for her program in Tuscany and she thought I might like your blog. Turns out she was right! Fantastic photos, and I look foreward to see what comes of this idea of yours. Good luck - Nate
Thanks Nate. Cool websites! You're one talented bus driver! Say hi to my mom when you get a chance. -Ted
Hey there Ted,
I have visited your blog several times in the last few months. I am a friend of Sinead and reached your site through a link in hers. I am due to leave for Japan in September for 20 months and it has been really amazing to get little glimpses of life there through you. It's a great site and even though you might not have known it, your words and pictures are part of how I now imagine Japan. I never really felt the need to write to you (you were a vaguely mysterious figure who told me about Japan)- but after reading this blog entry I felt I had to. It's a wonderful idea. the potential of connecting different themes, creativites and issues across the globe is fantastic ! and the web an amazing tool for it. I really hope you follow through - and will definately read whatever you have to write.
All the best and thank you for all the photos and words,
Becky
Dear Becky,
Thank you for the kind words. I will do my best to follow through, and, in the meantime, to continue living a lively life. I hope your time in Japan will be very kind to you.
Sincerely, Ted
p.s. a friend of Sinead's is a friend of mine. Then again, why can't we all just be friends?
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