A Morning Without Snoozing
At six in the morning, I opened my eyes in the dimly lit room. I promised myself not to fall back asleep today. Normally, I can easily drift off into “a second or even a twenty-third sleep,” but on the road, oversleeping can be fatal for the day’s rhythm.
I headed to the dining room where my host had prepared breakfast: oatmeal, toast, and freshly picked raspberries from the farm, paired with yogurt. The perfect balance of tartness and sweetness felt like the very blessing of the land.
A Letter and Japanese Art
Before departure, I handed my host a farewell letter. Inside, I had also included notes about the Tale of Genji picture scrolls, which we had talked about the day before. My host’s delighted smile when receiving it left a strong impression on me.
Then, she guided me into a room where a reproduction of “Shokunin-zukushi-e” (Paintings of Various Craftsmen) was displayed. Her eyes lit up as she spoke passionately about her love for Japanese art, its colors, and its unique style. Listening, I felt a sting of regret. I wished I had more knowledge to share in that moment. As a Japanese person, I should be able to explain my own culture better. And for that, I realized again how much I need to improve my English—not just for travel, but to share what matters most.
A Trail That Never Ends
My goal for the day was Yarram, about 50 kilometers away. The route was almost entirely on cycling trails, free from traffic, which made for a peaceful and safe ride.
Along the way, I ran into a cyclist I had met a few days earlier, and later stopped to chat with another rider coming from the opposite direction. These small, unexpected encounters gave me extra energy.
At the 20-kilometer mark, I stopped for lunch. My host had packed rice balls in the Japanese style. Even when cold, they were delicious, filling my body with steady strength for the road ahead.
Deciding to Stop in Yarram
By 2 p.m., I arrived in Yarram after hours of pedaling along the straight trail. I hesitated about whether to continue to the next town, but the forecast warned of heavy rain the following day. Pushing myself further today wouldn’t make much difference.
So I decided to stop here for the night. In the center of town, I found a hexagonal shelter with a roof and chose it as my campsite. The only drawback was the bright ceiling lights, which looked like they would stay on all night.
Even so, I felt grateful. Having a roof overhead to keep out the coming storm was more than enough. I lay down early, preparing my body and spirit for the rain-filled day to come.
