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Letter 30
Tuesday 10.09.13 14,14 km
I'm about to be able to find my way around the station. It has 4-5 floors. I
managed to buy a ticket all by myself this morning. It was just stepping into
the line. In the ticket office they know the nescessary words. Then I went to
ask for elevators and when you can enter the "entrance" for Shinkansen. No
limitations. Then I went to locate the elevator - one of them. The other is
after I've passed the ticket control.
The west front of the station
When I came back to my bike it was gone... I knew exactly where I'd put it, but
didn't panic. An officially looking guard of some kind stood next to. He spoke
some english words. Two hours - no money - then 100Y. Now I noticed the special
numered stands you were supposed to put them in. I hadn't done that. Just put it
next to on the jackstand. But where was it? Taken away? In the end he pointed at
a bunch of bicycles, that were gathered in the middle, and there I eyed mine. As
a foreigner I was allowed to take it with no further notice, for an ordinary
japanese I don't think it would have been that easy. He pointed down the street,
there was free parking of bicycles - but not here at the station. And that's the
kind og trouble you have for not being able to read...
That's maybe an idea for the Central Station in Copenhagen? And a bunch of
unemployed to run it. With an official cap!
I've done my washing, the clothes have been outside to dry and is now folded
neatly. Besides it's not much I've done except been talking. As usual it's hard
to tell who's employed and who are guests. A girl, who asked me where I came
from, showed to be employed, but spoke - after conditions here - fluently
english.
I had confirm that thing about the 10.000's 10.000 is called "man", pronounced "mang".
But Toyota Cresta don't leave the factory with warped wheels, that's something
that's done afterwards if you want to show off, I have it from the landlord, His
english is in a low level, but with the girl between it works. He had some
catalogs of cars, where I saw that a Lexus it's just a Lexus. There are 8
different models! They estimate that a japanese middle class car costs 2 mill. Y
= 16.000 €. Toyota Aygo I didn't see, it's probably only for the european market.
I also went to Starbucks and had confirmed, that when I cannot get to my
email here in the hostel, it has to do with their network. And I had a cappucino.
In the end of the day I went on bike to see some more of the town. There should be a fortress, or more precisely the spot where the fortress once were, at the other side of the river. When I got there there was a splendid view of the city.
View from the castle over Sendai
There I met with Rebecca from Minnesota, who were in the Navy and stationed near
Tokyo, but on a on day mission here in Sendai. She was leaving tghe Navy to go
back and educate as a physiotherapist. She was filled up with the boys who told
about how much they'd been able to drink before they threw up. She hadn't
learned any japanese in the 1½ years she'd been here. That was too bad, I
thought - but I didn't say.
When I was on my way back I got lost. I tried to go b y the signs for Sendai
Sta. in stead of looking at the map, but I didn't succeed, so at one point I
hadn't the slightest idea of where I was. After having found a sharp street
light - it was almost dark now - I managed to establish at which crossing I was,
but the direction to the station I couldn't tell. By asking I found out and
then I managed, even with difficulty. I'm not used to being TOTALLY blank, when
it's about finding my way...
I bought some food on the way home. One of these prefabricated dishes I've
started buying. For about 400 Y = 3 € you get something pretty good, Sometimes I
also buy them ay noon, if there's a chance I'm going to camp. Chopsticks are
included.
Now I'm going to pack, so I'm ready for tomorrow.