Rain, rain, go away!
In all honesty, I love the rain. When the dark clouds come overhead, we know that our streets will be clean, the plants and flowers will no longer be thirsty, and the air will be pleaseny crisp and fresh tomorrow. I've always said that my favorite time of any year is the day after it rains.
For now, we just have to wait this out in a hotel. We wanted to camp, and in the morning were so glad we didn't. We would have woken up soggy, depleted, and demoralized. Instead, we woke up dry, well rested, warm and spirited.
Luckily we did not have to survive this downpour inside out meager tent.
Rains so much here that people must make large investments in their umbrellas. As much to warrant, yes, lock up umbrella stalls - take that Seattle!
Not at all ones to stay inside even on a rainy day, sis and I took a walk to explore the town. Along the way, we came across this patch of cacti. Plants v. Zombies anyone, anyone?
In the entrances to buildings are these dispensable umbrella "condoms." Simply posture up, slide on in to this device and whammo, your protected in even the most passionate exordiums. If only life was this simple.
Walking through Japan in the rain is an experience that even the great Kurosawa cannot capture in film, and R. Scott can only approach.
The architectural urban design really becomes noticeable at night, when it's intricacies are highlighted by the lights and made dark by their shadows.
What's missing? Not the glowing neon night lights. Perhaps it is the soft humming of replicants that remains absent in these cold, wet, sprawly streets. I'm in love again.
Along the way, we see these different sewer cover man holes. Seems each city, prefecture has their own unique symbol. Not surprising yet incredibly intreaging. Something about them compels me to pay attention.
How's this for efficiency? Walk up, select what you'd like to eat, pay the vending machine and walk inside. The host shows you to a table and by the time you hand her your receipt, she turns around and plants the food right in front of you. Seriously, a twenty second wait time. Wake up America, we need a new system.
Mmmm, lunch is served with a side of delectable miso soup.
Back at the hotel, we eat up the free Internet and rest. All charged up, rested, and minor repairs made, tomorrow we ride out to continue the adventure. 17 days till sister'a bday....
One more shot of bright neon against the rainy conditions of a metropolis Japan. I really love the contrast. It's like living Tron.
Dinner! We try out hardest to stick to smaller, local food cooked by the respectable elderly. Eating here, we scored. Not sure if it was because we are tourists or because with so many higher end restaurants people stopped coming to this homie eatery. Doesn't matter, we were welcomed, and that is indisputable.
Or maybe it's because we ate a plate of these without flinching. No props, we do what we do. And we it well. The old woman even sent us away with miniature soy sauce packets shaped like small fishies.
Much love to all of you. For your information, Gabi and I have also begun a second bi-scripted blog. I call it an experiment in History; same events illustrated by two perspectives. Notice any biases? Check out my sisters photos and our Cycling Siblings blog here:
Love you all, goodnight.
-A
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