Following the leader

One of Amanda's key goals in coming to Japan was to go in a hot spring. There was one the Lonely Planet recommended, but the directions were about as clear as the Japanese street signs we were looking at blankly when we got off at the bus stop.

We stopped a guy headed out of an apartment complex to ask where the street was we were looking for was. I knew it the moment he took the Lonely Planet from us and pulled out his cell phone to look up another map, he had no idea where it was. Still, that didn't stop him from juggling the book, cell phone and umbrella, and then beckoning us to come with him.

By now it was pitch dark and pouring rain. He lead us south, which was not the direction I was thinking we should go. Then we headed down a side street. Then north again. Then west. I felt so bad that he was stuck trying to lead a couple Americans to some place he had no interest in going. And I know he had some place to be. Twice I tried to call him off the hunt. But he plodded on, his shoes scuffing along the pavement, the rain soaking the pages of the book.

Finally, we rounded a curve and he pointed to it. I was able slip him a gift and apologize.

The long walk in the cold rain was worth it. There were a spread of pools at the public bath we visited, a sauna and a plunge pool. It was just after we needed after our busy day.

Lesson learned: Only ask those who are stuck behind a counter directions.