I Climbed A Mountain

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Konnichi wa!
Well, I’m happy to say that this trip has been full of things I never thought I would do. The sights and sounds of this country are cool enough as it is, but everything has had an extra rush included for me because it’s all been an experience unlike anything I’ve ever done before. Last weekend was no different as I got up at the crack of dawn and jumped on a train headed for one of the more rural districts of Tokyo.
A group of us who are working at ASIJ decided to climb Mt. Takao. I was hesitant at first because I honestly didn’t think I’d be able to make it up anything that started with the abbreviation, “Mt.” I decided to do it because I had already turned down a group that was planning to climb Mt. Fuji and I figured that this would be worth doing even if it killed me just so that I could say, “I climbed a mountain.” Anyway, after a few hours we found ourselves at the top of the mountain looking out at some amazing sights. We had lunch at this incredible restaurant at the peak that was built right on a cliff that overlooked everything. I could ramble on and on about each moment of it but instead let me just say that I am so glad I did it and that it was unlike anything else I’ve ever done.
So once again, this trip has been amazing in ways I didn’t even imagine before getting here. The country has a lot to offer to visitors and I’m doing my best to take in as much as possible while I’m here. Soon I’ll have another update with the other places I’ve seen.
Until then,
PEACE


Travel Tip For The Complete Dumbass #5
“If you absolutely must pee while climbing a mountain, don’t have the group you are with only watch out to make sure that no one is coming down the path you are on - also check to make sure no one is coming up your path.” I came very close to having to apology to an incredibly elderly couple who turned out to be only a few yards behind a curve we were walking around when I was about to answer nature’s call.

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Photos

Crazy Roots
Parts of the trail we were on required us to walk up some of the biggest tree roots I've ever seen.

Amazing Trees
The trees were incredibly tall and incredibly old. At the base of the mountain they show the rings in a trunk of one they cut down; it dated back to 1771.

View From The Top
You can't tell in this picture, but through the fog we could see the skyscrapers of the city.

Way Too Small
All right, even for a child, this kid was way too little. He kept running toward things (including me) like this and was making me very nervous.

Naturally
On the way back down, what do we come across? A temple, of course.

Very Cool
Of all the great things around temples I've seen, the rows and rows of these guys are my favorite.

Wild Monkeys
The mountain is covered with wild monkeys. As the sign indicates, some are friendly, some are not.

Coming Back Down
The whole walk back down was full of amazing views.

Comments

[mom&dad]

Enjoyed the blog....Mountain climbing could come in handy when school begins eh??? Stairs everywhere at Drake....Also, those good-lookin' statues you see on your travels are a testament to the japenese peoples' admiration of short, heavyset, bald men....i.e. your Dad....Peace, We love you...Us

[Susan]

First?
Congratulations on making it up your first mountain. You need to stay in Colorado and start to climb the 50 - 14ers. Mountains over 14,000 feet. Sorry to hear you choice not to go to Mt. Fuji. Hopefully next time it'll be a yes instead. It looks beautiful--in fact I wish I was there instead of work!

[hannahdk]

you should be a writer
HI MATT; WE JUST WANTED TO LET YOU KNOW HOW MUCH WE ENJOYED YOUR EMAILS AND PICTURES. YOU SHOULD BECOME A WRITER. YOUR STORIES ARE SO INTERESTING AND YOUR PICTURES TURN OUT SO BEAUTIFUL. WE CAN'T WAIT TILL THE NEXT TIME. THE NEIGHBORHOOD IS THE SAME AND EVERBODY IS DOING FINE. ENJOYED YOUR WONDERFUL EXPERIENCES AND MAY PEACE BE WITH YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS KATHY,DAVID AND HANNAH

[anonymous]

Matt!! I climbed a mountain too in Colorado!! Although the air was very thin and it was very hard to breathe the view was well worth it!!

[Kristin]

I'm stupid and forgot to put my name on the post that said I climbed a mountain in Colorado!!