Posted on Monday, March 19, 2007 11:41 PM
Short blurb before breakfast: most people we encounter here in Miyazaki are quite laid back, even towards foreigners.
Take the guy behind the counter at the Ticket Office for example.
When Robert and I went for tickets yesterday evening, we wanted to know what the difference in time was between traveling to Hakata over either Kagoshimachuo/Shin-Yatsushiro or Beppu. Asking something elaborate like that preferably needs to be done in English, so after the initial greeting of Konban-wa (good evening), I asked him in Japanese whether he spoke English or not. He said no, and shot back with the question whether I spoke Japanese or not. :D
We were able to figure out from each other what we meant and what we wanted, and thus getting our tickets went as smooth as always.
Very relaxed indeed.
Cheers, K.