A Memorable Moment in Nikko

Eventually, our peaceful solitude came to an end as we returned to civilization. Or rather, civilization caught up with us around 10:00am. The masses came driving up the roads to view the splendor we had just bid farewell to. Have I mentioned the intense satisfaction we experienced clipping down the mountain while, on the other side of the road, half the island was slowly inching up?

While we experienced quite a few memorable moments, the most noteworthy happened near the national park in Nikko. We were witnesses to a landmark event, a sight so rare that it will be passed down from generation to generation amid tremulous voices and misty eyes. I will never forget the morning when, as we waited in line to enter the park, a little Japanese girl ran past, chasing a monkey.

Yes, that’s right. We saw a little girl chasing a monkey. You tell me how often that happens!

With eyes widened in disbelief, we watched the un-caged, wild, and free primate lope across the parking lot while occasionally glancing over his shoulder to assess his persistent pursuer. In turn, the little monkey chaser was toddling just as fast as she could after the object of her affection, a look of pure glee plastered across her face. Within five seconds, they disappeared into a grove of trees.

That was pretty entertaining.

Now, these monkeys are notorious for snatching cameras, purses, and anything else they can get their paws on from park visitors. They’ve even been known to chase some fully grown men around for the chance to swipe something shiny. If you’ve ever watched Animal Kingdom, you know that monkeys can be pretty vicious. Taking all this into account, I decided the strangest part of this whole thing was the absence of a frantic parent pelting after his or her errant child.

I guess monkeys are pretty normal here.

It all happened so fast that we didn’t get a chance to capture this moment on film, video, or any other electronic recording device. Instead, I present an example of the Japanese custom of “parking wherever you darn well please, and tough cookies for all the other cars you’ve obliviously & effectively blocked from getting out again. Especially the cars that had the pomposity to park in designated parking spaces ”. Enjoy!