Yokoso Nagoya!

Today I woke up with no plan. That’s good and bad. It can lead to sloth and lethargy. I succeeded in napping again before actually getting out of bed.

I decided to take the mamachari out for a spin and check out the grocery store in the nearby area. I wasn’t impressed with the store but I had fun on the bike. I was out for over an hour, just riding around. I discovered a Catholic church and the home of the Toyota Antelopes. Huh? I think it turns out that the Antelopes are a women’s basketball team. Go ‘Lopes! I’m still enjoying the freedom of the bike. I bumped in to a different colleague while I was out and about. I see more colleagues out on the street here in Nagoya than I do in LA! It isn’t like I’m hanging out right by the hotel or anything. OK, when I went to the Hard Rock Café on the 4th of July it didn’t surprise me seeing others there. But just bumping in to people on the street?

(Oh, I just realized I didn’t confess to going to the Hard Rock Café on the 4th of July. Hey, I figured some good old American food was the best I could do for the holiday where I worked all day long. So I had a pulled pork sandwich, fries, cole slaw, baked beans. And I LOVED every bite of it. So sue me!)

There was a thunderstorm brewing while I was on my bike so I decided to cut my ride short. Who knows, if it wasn’t for the rumbling thunder maybe I’d still be out there riding around like a little kid. I ♥ my ママチャリ.

I parked my bike in my $42/month parking spot and walked to Muji to buy a couple of glasses to replace the one I broke the other day. Then I planned to get some pillows at Tokyu Hands. I debated about buying an ironing board at Muji. It was a table top type board and I just didn’t know if it was practical. As I was getting ready to head to the up escalator, I heard, “Jon!” Busted again! This time it was my boss. He had been to Tokyu Hands after looking at his apartment and deciding maybe it was time to clean.

I had hoped Tomo would help me shop for cleaning supplies. But it is hardly fun. I remember now that when I lived here before I lived in a serviced apartment. So I never really actually had to clean. Oh. Therefore I didn’t really have any product knowledge. My boss inspired me though to at least get some cleaning supplies. I mean, he can’t speak a word of Japanese or read a single character so if he can do it so can I. But that’s what I mean – some times it is the simple things that can be difficult. Almost paralyzing. How do I know this is the right product? How do I know it is safe? What if I mix it with something accidently? That’s why I bought Tide when I bought laundry detergent. Because I knew it. I chose Pax Naturon. I guess I probably bought it because it has English on the label. I quote, mistakes and all, “Naturon is soap series.(natural ingredient) for new families who care for nature and health.” OK, sounds good. I care about nature and all. For the shower I got “パックスナチュロンお風呂洗きせっけん” I knew that お風呂 was a bath so I was in good shape. And now I am reminded that 洗 means clean. I got a similar product for the toilet. Hey, peace and nature. What more can you ask for? They look safe and friendly!

While I was riding around I was struck by what a cool experience this is. Yeah, I complain about work and sometimes the job can really get me down. That’s the same anywhere. I’m out of the hotel though, making it on my own (with a ton of help) in this foreign land. That I’ve been to about 30 times .. but STILL!!! It remains an interesting experience.

I was talking to friends today. Something about my upbringing tends to steer the converstation to, “What’s the weather like there?” We’ve grown out of the, “What time is it there” question. But now it is, “How much is gas? Really? Wow.” And they have a Prius. And their response is, “What’s the dollar at?” It is a different world these days.

Today was really hot. I had to go in to work in the morning. I left a little after lunch and the spur train wasn’t running so I decided to walk about 20 minutes to the main train station. BUT IT WAS TOO DARN HOT! So I flagged down a taxi. Ahhh, it felt much better. When I got home I found a note from the post office telling me something related to held mail. One phone call later I at least knew where the post office was (sort of) and that there was a 24 hour window I could use. Hey, that’s cool. I consulted the map and found the exact location! I wished I had my bike because it would have been fun to ride there. I had to do some other errands so I decided to walk to the bike shop. My bike had arrived. Yippee!!!!!!! It was ALMOST like the picture except the basket wasn’t the black wire mesh basket. I wanted the black wire mesh basket. Oh well.

While they were putting my bike together they had about 5 people come in for stuff and I’m not sure I saw anyone pay. It is that kind of shop. They were cool. They ordered an extra long seat post for me and registered my bike with the city.

I didn’t know how to operate the kickstand! The bike feels like a limousine compared to my racing bike. Or maybe like a canoe when you are used to a kayak. Long and slow to react with a big keel. But it so cool to now be a little mobile! I was like a kid again. So I rode down to the post office. It is so much faster getting around by bicycle. I just need to make sure I stop and enjoy the city and not race from place to place. I went to the post office and got my new ATM card (I think I said that I was denied a Visa card …) and then just rode around the central city. I found some museums. As I was riding home I bumped into my colleague again – this time with his wife and child. They were on their mamacharis too! I kept rolling around the area, letting the wind pass by me and checking out the town.

When I was at the bike shop I bumped into another American who called my bike a knee destroyer. I guess because it is single speed. Today I noticed there were more hills than I thought but nothing to bad. Just gentle grades. Anyway, this bike shop will be a good resource in general. If I decide I want a real road bike I should be able to arrange something through this shop. I did bring all my clothes just in case. Well, except I think I forgot my winter wear.

The first thing I had to do was to buy a somewhat traditional Japanese futon as the guest bed. Something I can roll up and put in the closet when the visitors are gone. So where did I end up? Muji of course. I feel like a Muji representative. But they always have exactly what I am looking for. For all you visitors, here is the futon pad and futon you will be using. It is a double – special order!