Bike ride in Kishiwada
While Mike was at work on Friday, I rode my bike to the Kishiwada waterfront and mall. There is a very long, covered shopping street on the way there in Kishiwada; I bought a "Cafe au Lait" (translation: sweet coffee in a can) from one of infinity vending machines there and walked my bike, so that I could look at everything. A lot of shops are similar to American shops- shoes, vegetables, haircuts. One thing I love about Japan is the juxtaposition of old and new. Like this view from the street:
An old-style house next to modern apartments.
They were piping music on the street while I was walking; it was wonderful. I saw a lot of people- older men are the ones who bow most frequently to me. Just a little bow, I guess just to acknowledge that I am there. Sometimes when I come across school girls on their bikes, they giggle and try out their English on me, yelling "good morning!!" even at 4 in the afternoon.
Also, my hiragana and katakana are improving. An example of how useful it is:
The symbols next to "Tobacco" are "ta" + "ba" + "ko." Get it? Yesterday in a restaurant, I was so excited to read "ha-mu sa-ra-do" (ham salad) on my own.
Kishiwada train station:
Views from the street:
Kishiwada waterfront:
Tiny cars in tiny parking spaces!
At the mall- perhaps a small temple? Behind it is a huge, modern structure, maybe a theater house.
Yesterday, Mike and I got lost on our way somewhere. Mike asked help from an older lady, who responded so enthusiastically that we were a little incredulous. She was gesticulating with so much energy, and alternating between asking Mike questions about himself (where he was from, what he does) and giving us instructions to god knows where (she was talking so fast that all we could do was nod and say "thank you thank you" over and over). Then at the end of the conversation, she graciously presented us with a box of chocolate from her purse. It was overwhelmingly wonderful.
An old-style house next to modern apartments.
They were piping music on the street while I was walking; it was wonderful. I saw a lot of people- older men are the ones who bow most frequently to me. Just a little bow, I guess just to acknowledge that I am there. Sometimes when I come across school girls on their bikes, they giggle and try out their English on me, yelling "good morning!!" even at 4 in the afternoon.
Also, my hiragana and katakana are improving. An example of how useful it is:
The symbols next to "Tobacco" are "ta" + "ba" + "ko." Get it? Yesterday in a restaurant, I was so excited to read "ha-mu sa-ra-do" (ham salad) on my own.
Kishiwada train station:
Views from the street:
Kishiwada waterfront:
Tiny cars in tiny parking spaces!
At the mall- perhaps a small temple? Behind it is a huge, modern structure, maybe a theater house.
Yesterday, Mike and I got lost on our way somewhere. Mike asked help from an older lady, who responded so enthusiastically that we were a little incredulous. She was gesticulating with so much energy, and alternating between asking Mike questions about himself (where he was from, what he does) and giving us instructions to god knows where (she was talking so fast that all we could do was nod and say "thank you thank you" over and over). Then at the end of the conversation, she graciously presented us with a box of chocolate from her purse. It was overwhelmingly wonderful.