So, yeah, I got here a few days ago. The trip itself was kinda fun — I took a high-speed train. 16 cars, each with a capacity of 100 people, dragged at 180 mph from Osaka to Hiroshima in about an hour and a half. Pretty efficient, and the ticket cost about $65. Bullet train to be sure.
In a distinct contrast to when a blunt-nosed train approaches, I felt almost no wind pushing ahead of the arrival of these bad boys. I guess there is something to that whole aerodynamic design other than just looking cool. I tried to take a video while we were whizzing along, but there had to be at least 30 tunnels that disrupt the view. Every time I’d start, sure enough, within a few seconds we were in a tunnel, or the view was obscured by buildings, railings and walls or trains going the other way at a relative 350 mph. Those are just a blur. The ride was smooth, the seat comfortable, so I napped. As one does.
Once I got here, I walked the kilometer or so to my stay. I’d requested a top floor room, and got one. I’m quite chuffed with the nighttime view.
During the day, I watch the pedestrian and vehicle traffic and movement of the tide, which is significant. By my guess, there is a two to two and a half meter difference between high and low tides.
Of course I’m also looking at/for birds. I’m currently at 399 on the life list. I wonder species will be number 400? And, as I typed this, I watched an osprey fly by with a big ol’ fishy in its talons. I was mesmerized watching, and didn’t realize until too late it was turning right for my window. Even my iPhone might have captured a decent image. Oh well, I have the snapshot in my noggin that I can replay, and exaggerate to it being Gwahir the Wind Lord carrying a megalodon, if I need to.
There is a decent path along both sides of the estuarian river, that are decent to run on, and I have.
There are only a couple of caveats to it:
There are no passages under the roads, so waiting at the road crossings for a walk signal is necessary. In the States, I’d cross against the signal if the traffic allowed, but when in Rome…
People walking. Don’t get me wrong, folks have a perfect right to walk on the path. It’s just that they are so erratic.
They drive on the left here. Fine and good. When walking, they sometimes walk on the left. Sometimes on the right, and most of the time right down the middle of the pipe. Laminar flow, perhaps? Regardless, its always a guess as to which side someone will be on, and if they will move to the side and even to which side they’ll move. Fun times.
Also within walking distance of my current stay is the baseball stadium - home of the Carp. Not an ideal choice for a team name, IMHO. Maybe it sounds better in Japanese, or carp have a better rep here? Sadly, I won’t be able to catch a game as they began an extended road trip the day I arrived, and given the nature of Japanese baseball, tickets may be either pricey or unavailable. Speculation, as I didn’t bother to check when I saw they were going to be gone my entire stay. But, situated next to the stadium is a Costco. Naturally, I chose to extend my Costco World Tour™, notching another country in my hotdog belt, bringing the number to (I think) five.
The hotdog was tasty, and had all the usual condiment suspects available just as they are in the USA. The price was quite cheap: 180¥, which, at current exchange rates comes out to be a mere $1.15. I suspect that about a year ago, the local price would have been much closer to the $1.50 USD that it is everywhere else. I hadn’t realized just how strong the dollar is at the moment against the yen. I guess I (unintentionally) timed my visit well.
Inside the store, the offerings were also more like the USA than I saw in either Korea or Taiwan. I chatted briefly with a couple of guys from Guanajuato, MX, who had stocked up on tortillas. I’m happy they were able to get a taste of home while estan aqui por trabajo. I’m happy I got a hotdog, and some apple strudels for takeaway. Desserts and breakfasts are sorted for a few days.
Overall, I’m liking the vibe here. It’s much less hectic and high-speed than Osaka; it’s chill for a fair-sized city. I’m going to hang until at least early next week, and see how a weekend goes.
Be kind, and take care of yourselves. If you can, care for someone else, too.
Slang, out.
Hey Steve…..John and I are back down in Panama and we’re reading some of your past posts. It brings back a lot of fond memories of the times we lived in Japan and Korea, as well as traveling in the Far East. We find ourselves laughing out loud at some of your stories. We hope you turn all of it into a book. There’s a lady here who lives in Gorgona and she’s turned her travels into crime mysteries. By the way, the Hawaiian lady and her Caucasian motorcycle, long haired husband who you used to sit next to at Picasso’s are still there in the same seats! Good luck getting your passport. We’ll be looking forward to more travel stories.