trip in town
Yesterday Melissa and I accompanied Ken into Tokyo to get a few provisions for the lodge.
The drive was nice. It takes about two hours, which is the longest we had been in a car since the states. The Japanese driving experience is so different. When Melissa and I had to get rid of some ingested green tea Ken quickly pulled off the road to what at first seemed like a rest stop. It was directly off the freeway and had a large parking lot. Once we stepped out of the car we realized it was more like a mall, with many restaurants, shops, and even a digital traffic display, letting drivers know about hold ups real-time. Crazy shit. Leaving Nikko the scenery, and temperatures, change drastically. The mountains cascade into rice fields, which stretch their way up to a see of apartment buildings. The residential complexes crash right into complicated mix of train lines and skyscrapers. It was nice to be back in the city. Now we were the people driving through the crowds. As we tried to find a parking place in Akihabara people literally brushed across our vehicle like cattle in the field. I couldn’t imagine the stress of driving in what seems like a crowded outdoor shopping mall.
Our next stop was Costco, which Melissa and I had never been to (apparently they’re in the states too). It was a giant warehouse, like Sam’s, and the only place in Japan to get allot of American goods. They had all the same crap from home but it’s the little things that make it exciting. We were amazed to see Evian water…IN A SPRAY CAN. Yes an aerosol can full of the famous French glacier water for those hot days on the trains. Melissa was able to find a cheap “hair ripper outer” which should cut down on future razor expense.
Once we filled our basket and paid for our “stuff” we made way to the escalator for grocery carts, to get to the gigantic parking garage. Before hitting the road for the two-hour drive we filled up. Even the gas stations make me smile. They are completely spotless. I mean the concrete that cars fuel up on is cleaner than most American dining facilities. I loved the telescoping windshield washer handle too.
I thought the trains were expensive but a road trip in Japan is out of this world pricey. First of all we must have went through about five toll ways. Ranging from $5 to $30, each, just one-way. We filled up twice, and Ken put about $4 dollars in a parking meter. I’ll never bitch about the 25cents per 90 minutes again.
Tags: Japan, Travel
Zach
did you get to see Borman?
no…but him his mother, brother and cousin came an stayed here at Nikko Park Lodge a week or so ago! It was fun, and I think they had a great time.
wow that does sound very fun!! Too bad when Chris comes back to Lincoln, I’ll already be gone… 🙁 all 6 of us need to get back together again some time.
EUROPE TRIP 2010!!!!!!