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Letter 15
Monday 26.08.13 78 km
The rain has stopped several times in the night, but has started again
everytime. Now it seems it's over. It's 5.30am and activity in the site. A bird
with a moaning sound can be heard. It sounds big.
SO slowly I eat breakfast and pack my things.
Morning at Lake Masshuro
I put on my dry long trousers and a dry t-shirt. The yougurt is not a pleasant
surprise. It's no yougurt but a slightly slimy blueberry gelee I've bought. An
elderly man comes and opens a shed. It contains garbage. I get rid of mine. Is
it for not attracting bears that there are no garbage containers?
Somebody opened the info, but none is to be seen. So I leave without paying.
Soon a light drizzle that comes and goes. I go in the wrong direction when I get
to the main road. I noticed yesterday that I had to go all the way back to
Tashikaga. But this morning it seem most unlikely - until I looked at the map.
That was extra 8 km....
Now it's noon I've been back to shop. I'm sitting with my feet in the hot water here at the road station Mashu. Last time must have been yesterday... it seems ages...
My feet enjoys the hot
water at the Road Station once more
Had to change to the wet shorts ealier. So that I still have (almost) dry
trousers. That wasn't pleasant! The wheather has changed. A bit of sun from time
to time. Ecept the shoes that are being dried in the sun, I feel dry.
In my new map it's called Akan Crossing, so some kind of pass it must be, it
can also be seen from slopes in the map.
It's 41 km to Akan, but thatn it should incline for 24 km - at least - I didn't
dream of.
The road inclines quickly. My meter has stopped working from this morning, so I can't keep track of things like I'm used to. But there are signs telling how far it is to where I'm coming from. Last time it said 18 km - then they stopped.
You can always
need some help from above
Nevertheless I cross without too much rain. Some road works make nice breaks.
Now I'm in the tent at a camp site, which I knew should be there. And eat some
soft cakes with honey I bought in 7-eleven. The ainu show has started at the
other side of the road. The ainu's were the first people in Hokkaido. I hear the
speaker and somrtimes an autoharp...? This "town" Akan-ko Spa is one long parade
of souvenir shops and hotels and restaurants. And 2 Lawsons, a 7-eleven and a
Seicomart. Plus the
camp site. The museum I had decided to visit tomorrow is closed on - tuesdays!
In stead I'll go on a cruise on the lake where the famous algea balls
live. Marimo - that's it's nickname.