Finally, this trip is coming to an end... The last night in Cuba and returning to Japan The Round-the-World Journey of Takahiro Ueda, a Buddhist Priest - Cuba ⑯
After a local tour of the Viñales Valley, I once again took the three-hour drive back to Havana.
By the time I arrived in Havana, it was completely dark outside and the city had transformed into a night world.
We proceed through the streets lined with buildings typical of Cuba. Returning from the farming village of Viñales, we notice the difference once again.
Havana is a big city. The downtown area is crowded with clubs and bars, giving it the appearance of a city that never sleeps.
In rural areas, the night would surely be dominated by deep darkness. It is in the city that you can play all night long, with the lights shining brightly on the streets.
It is doubtful that there is proper electricity and running water in such a mountainous area.
No, they didn't have running water, so they must have used water from the tank to wash their knives.
Having electricity or not is a frightening difference when you think about it.
I want you to imagine. To live here is to live with darkness.
At night, all the scenery in this picture will be painted in pitch black darkness.
I couldn't help but think about how electricity has changed human life.
Back at the casa, I look vaguely out over the balcony at the alleyways of Havana.
This casa is right next to Obispo Street, the main street in Old Town Havana, so it is busy at night.
Local people were chatting happily as they crossed the street below me.
The people on the streets, the language you hear, everything is different from Japan. This is a different world.
In Tanzania, the first country I visited, I was overwhelmed by the sheer power of nature.
At that time, I thought that returning home was still a long way off.
But it is already...tomorrow.
My 80-day journey is finally coming to an end.
The next morning, we will go to the Havana airport.
The Cuban heat that clung to my body is now too much to bear.
Boarding the plane makes you realize that it is finally the end.
I am amazed that we managed to get this far without incident. With a small sigh of relief, I let out the tension I have been feeling.
Goodbye Cuba.
I am going back to Japan...back to my daily life.
From Cuba, the flight will go to Narita via El Salvador and Mexico.
The flight from Mexico City to Narita takes 14 hours.
Early in the morning of June 14, Japan time, the sky over Japan is approaching.
To my surprise, in the far distance, Mt!
This makes me happy.
I truly felt that I had come home. After all, Mt. Fuji is the spiritual home of the Japanese people.
Landing soon.
Even before this trip began, I had been wondering how I would feel at the end of the trip.
I thought I would cry.
But it wasn't.
Strangely, there were no tears.
What I have is a feeling that there is a lot of work to be done from now on.
The journey is over, but I rather feel that this is the beginning.
I surprised myself that I was not feeling sentimental at all.
It also takes a long time to get from Narita to my parents' house.
Traveled to Haneda since there are no direct flights from Narita to Hakodate.
During the trip, I was impressed by the fact that the scenery I saw was Japan.
Japan is much more Japan than I thought. It's a view that can only be found here.
It is amazing how different things look after only 80 days apart.
June 14, afternoon.
Arrive at Kinsenji Temple in Hakodate, Hokkaido, my parents' home.
After more than a year and a half of planning and 80 days of travel, my trip had finally come to an end.
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