The Monk Stairs

A monk has a very specific ritual for climbing up the steps to the temple.

First he climbs up to the middle step and meditates for 1 minute.
Then he climbs up 8 steps and faces east until he hears a bird singing.
Then he walks down 12 steps and picks up a pebble.
He takes one step up and tosses the pebble over his left shoulder.
Now, he walks up the remaining steps three at a time which only takes him 9 paces.

How many steps are there?