Tuesday, March 20, 2007

Small things, tall people

The difference in height between the Japanese and peope who live in the west has been subject of snickers, jokes and jeers for many years, and probably will remain so until the average height in Japan sits at 1m80 or so.
When this happens, there will probably a large amount of money spent on redecorating, as it's sometimes a real struggle to get the necessary equipment in a small space.
Take our hotel room's bathroom for instance; the average broom closet puts it to shame. I need to get on my knees to take a decent shower, and both Robert and I keep bumping into walls and ceilings.
I wonder what Unipuma (a friend of mine, nearly 2m tall) would do, since I'm almost stuck between the tub and the ceiling, and I'm only 1m86.

As said; redecorating is just a matter of time (we hope), until then, we will stick out just almost anywhere while in Japan. ;)

Cheers, K.

posted @ 11:29 PM | Feedback (0)

Travelling to Hakata/Fukuoka

Today, we moved our party to Hakata, or more precisely Fukuoka. Fukuoka, the capital of Fukuoka-ku and Ayumi Hamasaki's home town, is located in northern Kyushu.

Robert and I figured out yesterday evening that the trip could be made somewhat more easier by taking a train to Beppu, and change to the Sonic towards Hakata Station. While this would take 19 minutes longer, we only would have to transfer once (when going over Kagoshimachuo, we would have had to transfer twice. When you carry a large suitcase, that's not something you would want to do very often).
In the end, it turned out we arrived only 6 minutes later than the Kagoshimachuo-route would take, and we had a very relaxed ride to Fukuoka.
Upon arrival, we explored the city a bit, got some stuff for tomorrow, grabbed a bite to eat and checked into the hotel.

We're staying in Toyoko Inn-hotels; cheap accomodations, but still with a private bathroom, TV, refrigerator and free internet connection at our disposal.

Something weird happened this afternoon; I got a call from a taxi-service in Koog aan de Zaan asking me whether I was the one who needed a taxi.
My response: "That depends on how far you want to drive, as I'm currently in Japan...". I guess the guy has a story to tell tonight when he gets home. ;)

Tomorrow, we go to Aso; see the volcano and its surroundings.

Cheers, K.

posted @ 3:23 PM | Feedback (0)