Digital Vortex A-Go-Go

Quicky: it’s 17:09h, I just saw the street lanterns being turned on. Yup, it’s getting dark very quickly.

Quicky: yes, this morning it started raining a lot. To me, that means cycling around town is a rather uninteresting option, at the moment. >_<

Saturday 1st November

So, what have I done today? This morning I checked out of my apāto (apartment) in Ōsaka and took a train to Kyoto. I didn’t take the Shinkansen, although I think that was an option. No, I took the hard way which required me once more to figure out the subway system. Looks like I’m really getting the hang of it. Oh, and did I mention that I Love Google Maps?
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And another day has gone by, making it a grand total of 8 already. This means I’m half way down my trip through Japan.

What does that mean? How does that make me feel? Actually, it makes me feel many things.
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Quicky: I saw another ambulance come by. As it neared an intersection, it lowered it’s speed to a crawl, because other motorized vehicles appeared to make little effort to get out of the way. Worse even: pedestrians who were crossing the street, didn’t make haste to finish their crossing.

Quicky: handshaking is a typical western tradition. In Japan, one bows his or her head to greet and in other situations where one would handshake.

On occasion you will be offered a handshake. In that case, take it easy: a firm handshake will probably not be appreciated.

Quicky: although it’s strictly not done to stick your chop sticks into your food and leave them there (or so I read somewhere), I have learned that it is in fact OK to spear your riceball (or to stab it in the chest, as I’ve heard it is called) so you can simply eat it off your sticks.

Tip: stick your chop sticks in, not too close to each another.

Another tip: you put your used sticks (for grilled items) in here:

Also: it is not considered impolite to eat your sushi using your fingers, instead of using chop sticks.

Bonus: generally, you never tip in Japan. (or so I read)

Quicky: This afternoon I have been planning my stay in Kyoto, finding nice locations to go to. Only to find that at the moment I left my room, most locations had already closed for the day. Bummer. So, now I’m out for dinner and maybe later I will try to find Kyoto’s nightlife, if it exists.

Quicky: in certain restaurants, this thing here is very important. Use it.

Quicky: there’s a first for everything. I feel very proud of myself for having washed my clothes at a laundromat. With some help of my hostess. Oh well.

Quicky: in case you forgot, today is laundry day. Because, well, you know…

Friday 31st October

What a day! I spent the larger part of the day in Nara, while I spent the larger part of the evening in a tiny food bā (bar) just around the corner of my apāto (apartment).
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Quicky: it has been predicted all day, but whereas in the afternoon and evening there was only insignificant rain, presently it’s pouring, it seems.

Quicky: so with the apāto (apartment) I’m currently staying in (still in Ōsaka), was something wrong when I checked in. It turned out it had not been cleaned sufficiently (or at all). After making a complaint about it, it got sorted: I got a refund and the apāto was cleaned during my second day.

Yeah that was a bit of an unpleasant surprise. But the futon and shower were operational, so to speak and that’s ultimately all that mattered to me. Getting the refund was a nice bonus.

Quicky: if you need to purchase a subway ticket, please just insert some money first, before operating the dispensing device. It will make things so much easier.

That is, you cannot make proper selections about your ride on the ticket machine, before you insert money.

(also from the Reverses ‘r Us department)

Quicky: everything is smaller in Japan. Apāto (apartments), kuruma (cars), hito (persons).

Some things are definitely bigger: ringo (apples) and other vegetables and fruits. I suspect genetic engineering… The apple did taste as expected though.

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I later learned that farmers simply let the apples grow bigger. As in: invest more time into them. I’m not really convinced… But what do I know?

Quicky: at the moment I’m underway back from Nara to Ōsaka. I have lots of time to spare tonight, but not so much interest in sanpo o shimasu (walking) lots more.

Fortunately, I  have the ability to travel all the way to Fukuoka and beyond, by Shinkansen. I like that idea. 🙂

Unfortunately, I won’t be getting back to my my apāto (apartment) anymore today.

So, we’ll skip this idea for now.

Quicky: renting a bicycle at Nara station was so totally worth the money when you add moving around quickly to not making existing blisters any worse. Huzzah!

I even got driving on the left side of the road down. xD Misa blending in sa!

Quicky: if there’s a need for it, the Japanese will cater to it. Like mentioned before , apparently it was necessary to have a sign that asks to refrain from gurgling.

Now, there also appears to be a need for women-only carriages in densha (trains), in regard to them being groped otherwise.

Quicky: some things never change. No matter where in the world I am, bugs will find and bite me. Lots.

Thursday 29th October

Today I got up early, had some breakfast and quickly checked out of the hoteru (hotel) in Himeji. A brisk walk back to the eki (station) was all that stood between me and the Shinkansen back to Ōsaka.

It still is a wonderful feeling to get on that densha (train) like it’s nothing more than a glorified chikatetsu (subway train) . xD
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Quicky: as I sit there on the sidewalk, just reading a bit and waiting to be able to check-in, an elderly man comes up to me and asks if I’m lost. When I say I’m not, he excuses himself but joins me anyway. I’m amused because I think he would like to practice his English skills, which are relatively good, I’m happy to say. A short but pleasant conversation later (about where I’m from, amongst other things), the man says goodbye and is on his way again.

Fun fact: he mentioned that he’s 62 years old and learned English in high school some 45 years ago. Well done, sir, well done.

Not so fun fact: the poor fellow got surgery just a couple of weeks ago for having cancer, intestinal cancer if I’m not mistaken.

Quicky: while in Ōsaka, I took a train from Fukushima eki (station) to Nishikujo eki. There I transferred to a non-JR line, so I had to buy a regular ticket. After transferring and getting off at Kujo eki, the gate wouldn’t let me through. The puzzled expression on my face, quickly drew the attention of an employee. He indicated that I had to pay ¥60 (about €0.48) more to complete the trip. Woops. Sometimes freedom comes cheaply. xD

Quicky: so, this morning I was sitting somewhere in Ōsaka, eating some more sushi, when an ambulance (bearing siren and lights) came by and tried to cross the intersection. To my amazement, it appeared as though no driver (of any automobile) tried to give way to the ambulance. Astonishing. I hope I registered that wrongly. And if not, I hope I won’t have a need for an ambulance while being over here.

Quicky: in the Netherlands, we have a silly joke: It’s yellow and when it gets into your eye, you’re dead. Guess what? Of course it’s a NS train (with them being yellow obviously).

Over here in Japan, I made up another joke: It’s white and if it doesn’t get into your eye, you will be dead. Guess what? Of course it’s a Shinkansen, passing by at 1 foot distance.

After getting on the right Shinkansen but before it departed, another one passed the eki (station) on the middle most track. It made the entire train tremble with me along with it.

If you though that regular intercity trains where no fun when passing you by, try a Shinkansen.

(And yes, I am totally calling this fun. W00t!)

Quicky: you leave a copy of your passport when you check out of your hoteru (hotel).