The sign points the way to the ladies bathing area
this time around, I didn’t get the sliding doors into the area
once inside, we remove our shoes
and put them in the slots allotted for guests
On entering into the first room, there are sinks on the left
to the right an area to remove and put your clothes in a designated shelf box
once you have removed all your clothes
you can enter into the bathing area,
it is again through a pair of sliding doors.
the chair you see in the back corner
is a massage chair,
I regret to say, I never had the opportunity to try it
on entering there is one north american type stall
next to it is a sauna,
which again, I did not get to use
the next picture will show you the most popular way
to shower and remove the day’s “grime”
I have found that this is the most comfortable and practical
way to wash. You do your hair, and rinse off well
before you can get into the bath itself.
Soaps, shampoo and conditioner is provided
Once you are all cleaned and rinsed off,
only then, do you enter the bath.
then it is back to the dorm
refreshed and relaxed
ready to roll out your futon
and tuck yourself in
This picture was taken after
some of the participants had gone
we were 12 to a room
what you see is what was in front of me,
from my little “home” while there
this little nook, is where we could get hot/cold water
or cold drinks (vending machines)
just outside our room. Where the two ladies
are looking is into another smaller bathing area
International visitors are welcomed once a year
we came from North American, Brazil, Argentina
Spain, and, and….. the North American participants were from the States
except for moi, the only Canadian.
This delightful woman was like our “den” Mother, she
and her crew, manned the International Office,
took our keys, gave out the keys.. rooms were always
locked when no one was in the room
The staff worked from the wee hours till late into the evening
answering questions, helping with our needs,
ensuring we got to meals on time
We always knew we had them there to look out for us.
Even though the majority of them could not speak English
it is amazing how efficient they were
and how we all managed to communicate
it is a VERY long journey from where I live
to Osaka, Japan, and from there to PL headquarters, about another hour away.
was it worth it
yes, every minute, second of the pilgrimage
was a blessing
my sincere gratitude and love goes to all
who shared this journey with me
making it an unforgetable experience.
Oyashikiri
dymoonblog 