Monday, September 20, 2004
Love and Starbucks
I’m sorry to admit that breakfast, or by this time lunch, had to be fast food. We saw a McDonald’s and we just couldn’t pass it up. We don’t have any fast food restaurant on our entire island, much less a McDonald’s. There’s just something so familiar about it… Anyway, I had chicken nuggets and French fries. I was a bit disappointed there was no root beer, but Fanta is the next best soda anyway.
Catherine, Leah and Kerry enjoying McDonald's!!
Quickly we all went to Uni Qlo, this business-clothing store that is famous for its cheap imitation clothes. Things were not only cheap, but came in Western sizes: XL! I didn’t actually buy anything, but it’s good to know that I can get some good deals if I need to. We also found some great “Engrish” t-shirts with some embarrassingly bad English on them. Of course, I think everyone came away with at least one to take home as a memory.
Kerry and I didn’t feel up to shopping so we decided to go to the tourism booth, pick up some maps and explore the city. We hopped on a bus and rode down to the waterfront (Momochi, I think it’s called) to see Fukuoka Tower and Fukuoka Dome. I was feeling especially brave with Kerry, who has done lots of spontaneous traveling by herself through the UK and Ireland. I'm not sure I would have gotten on a bus without her—you never know where it’s going to take you, how much it’s going to cost, how you’re going to get yourself back, all while working with a foreign language I can only say a few phrases in! But it was really easy and not scary at all!
A hotel near the dome that is huge and beautiful. I was going to stay here with DT next weekend. =( More to come on that!
Walking to Fukuoka Tower--that's the dome behind me.
The dome was a dome, basically. There were no games going on so it was closed and we couldn’t see inside. But Fukuoka Tower was really great. We paid to ride to the top and see Fukuoka’s skyline. We could see a lot from up there, but, like on every observation point I’ve been on in Japan, there seemed to be a gray haze impairing a long distance view. Obviously pollution is the cause in Tokyo, but even gazing out from Narao’s observation point, I am disappointed in the limited visibility. Could it just be my bad luck of going on cloudy days? We picked up some omiyage (gifts to bring to work and friends after going on a trip or meeting someone for the first time) in the gift shop—snacks as always, and headed to the beach.
Views from Fukuoka Tower
Kerry and me at the top of the tower! Shashin o onegaishimasu?
A little girl hanging her fortune.
Kerry hanging her fortune.
This is Marizon, or Wedding Island. There was a wedding going on as we watched from above.
Momochi Beach is an eclectic affair. When we first walked in I immediately thought Rastafarian from the music and shops, but walk a little further and it’s this elegant, wedding-ready set-up—and today a wedding was to be held! We couldn’t see much, but I enjoyed the bustling atmosphere that is eminent when there’s a wedding to take place! We sat on the boardwalk, watched the ocean, the beaches and boats go by. The weather was perfect and the only thing I wished for was my bathing suit.
Here is Momochi Beach.
Kerry and me enjoying the sunshine!
And Marizon, or Wedding Island.
There's a perfect view of the tower from marizon.
We planned to meet Catherine, Laura and Leah at Starbucks in Tenjin Station at 4 p.m. so we headed back to the bus stop, thinking we had plenty of time to get there. Afternoon rush-hour meant gridlock in the city and each block we traveled took forever. It was tempting to get off the bus and walk—we were sure we could walk faster than drive—but we weren’t sure of the route, how many blocks, how many turns? It seemed safer to stay put and wait it out. Eventually, the annoying bus driver with his extremely aggravating growl-of-a-voice (…seshimaaaaas) drove us off the bus before our stop.
After just one wrong turn, we made it to Starbucks, (only an hour late) to hear that our companions had gone ahead to Canal City. There were three other Oita JETs in Starbucks that passed on their whereabouts and one even let us use his cell to call them! Thank you! After a mocha and scone we also hailed a taxi in search of Canal City.
Canal City is a mall, but it is the most exciting mall I’ve ever been to. It has canals of water flowing through its center, huge plants growing off the balconies, and all the shops you can dream of: Gap, Comme Ça, Abercrombie & Fitch, J Crew, a Wendy’s (!!) and probably many more although I didn’t spend much time looking around because we decided to take this opportunity to go to the cinema! Catherine, Leah, and I coughed up $18 to see The Village (I recommend it highly for those who love unexpected outcome movies like the Sixth Sense.) and it was money well spent! A theater is the other thing we do not have on our island and so like the fast food, was something we just had to do.
Canal City at night.
We all went back to the capsules to get changed for dinner. We met the Oita JETs Max, Sarah and Gareth outside our hotel for Indian! Oh, it’s so good to eat something besides Japanese and Western imitation! I ordered way too much food, of course, and stuffed myself silly trying to get my money’s worth. But I just couldn’t let that nan sit on my plate unfinished! We went to a rooftop bar for drinks and good, long conversation . At midnight we sang Laura Happy Birthday, but called it an early night as most of us were very tired.
Enjoying Indian. From left to right: Max, Sarah, Garet, Sierra, Kerry, Leah, Catherine.
Monday we woke up early to take the train back with Leah, who left her car at a station and was planning on driving back home via Sasebo. There is a cheaper ferry (about $15) that leaves Sasebo in the afternoon that just makes more sense than taking the midnight ferry from Fukuoka. It would have meant arriving in Aokata at 6 a.m. and going straight to work on Tuesday without any real sleep after our long weekend. Although I’m happy to mention that’s the ferry DT will be taking this Friday!! Can I get a whoop whoop? It was a very beautiful drive and I was glad to see even part of Sasebo. We had our last Western meal: spaghetti and bread before the two hour ferry home.
A great sign in "Engrish" on the train. At least they have an anti-smoking campaign!
The ferry from Sasebo to Arikawa! Sleeping on the floor.
Laura and Catherine eating StarChips on the ferry home!
Back in Kamigoto we decided to do our last bit of birthday celebrating by eating cake (of course!) and going out to dinner with Yuka and Peter. I gave Laura her gift—a collection of household items that we inevitably use because her apartment is the hang-out spot. Toliet paper, tissues, and soap!
My gift!
The bag I packed it in--almost as good as the gift!
I thought this was creative! Kerry, Catherine and I prepared her “cake” complete with candles, Crunky chocolate, and waffle ice cream!
It's Laura's birthday!
For dinner we went to Country House (same place we went our first weekend in Kamigoto with Blaine) and had a wonderful time. But the weekend had to come to an end, didn’t it? Catherine and I were actually happy to head back to Narao and settle in for our 3 day work week. (We have Thursday off too, another holiday.)
Love and Starbucks,
Sierra
Catherine's Plaster. (I'll keep it a secret. She's suffered enough humiliation this week.)
