Temple 54-55 & an unexpected turn of events:

 We awoke after a wonderful nights sleep at the comfortable Imabari Urban hotel with a skip in our step. The persistent rain had abated and although the temperature was crisp, the sun was shining.

Today we were planning to leave our backpacks at the hotel and do fast hiking to Temple 54 and 55 before check out at 11 am.

As often happens in life, things changed very soon after we set out. Josh tripped on the pavement and went down hard, injuring his shoulder badly. Two local Japanese people who witnessed the fall rushed to our aide which was very kind. He wasn't sure how bad the damage was so we continued walking to Temple 54 even though he was in severe pain, did the visit and by the time we got back to the hotel he could not use his arm.

 He had to get medical care in a rural town where very few people speak English. We decided to go to the main hospital in the area but they said his injury didn't qualify to be seen in the ER (apparently you have to be in critical condition). However, the staff there were very helpful and called around, finally sending us to an orthopedic clinic. We can honestly say that he received fantastic care: a consultation with an orthopedic doctor, two X-rays and a sling for $55 and then 2 weeks supply of pain medication and medicated patches for $15. To add to the experience, the staff were all incredibly compassionate and we all communicated via a translator app. The nurses and techs were also in fits of giggles because Josh was too tall for their settings on the X-ray machine and he had to squat to reach the set alignment with the machine. Then they commented on his dreadlock bun, so he unravelled his hair and everyone squealed and clapped including the doctor. It was too funny!

Once back we took a stroll to Temple 55 with Josh's arm immobilized in a sling. 

We're spending another night in Imabari while we decide what to do next as backpacking is out of the question for awhile.