Day 37 - Sunset and Sea of Lights

We spent the afternoon working at the Philosopher's Path again. But today no conversations with friendly pensioners, but instead two salespeople - one with painted stones and one with figs from Kyushu. Fortunately no big discussions if your're not interested - maybe because we don't speak Japanese. The fig seller approached a woman after us that already went past him, but he didn't stop talking. To avoid being impolite, she stopped and even turned around - and lost the game. The seller knelt down to fully convince her and she really bought some figs! Amazing spectacle...

Because the stone benches at the Philosopher's Path become uncomfortable after some time, we left ca. 40 minutes before sunset - and spontaneously decided to watch the sunset from the Daimonji-hill behind our house, where we enjoyed the view at lunchtime a few days ago. Yes, Daimonji is also the hill where the big "dai"-fire burned, the o-bon highlight. We hurried up, only stopping shortly to watch a Buddhist pilgrim who descended drumming and chanting.

I was a little afraid of filming him from the front...

We arrived at the "dai" just minutes before sunset, and enjoyed the dawn while cooling down (= stop sweating heavily). After around 45 minutes, the city in front of us turned into a sea of lights. Amazingly beautiful. The only problem was that we had to descend in the pitch-black - our pocket torch still sitting on the kitchen table because we left in a hurry not to miss the sunset. Fortunately iOS now comes with a flashlight. It is bright enough to prevent you from falling, but small enough for uncomfortable "Blair Witch Project" feelings.....