Well I made it to Japan and, more surprisingly, so did my luggage! It took nearly 24 hours of constant travelling but I finally made it to Kyoto this afternoon. Since here I have been out around the station (see photo), finding a shopping complex with a large number of restaurants at the top of it. They all seemed popular judging by the queues outside each one. I went to an Italian restuarant for my dinner (!) as I didn't fancy chopsticks with jetlag, but I will certainly be looking out for something more local tomorrow.
A few observations from my first day here:
1. My height really is noticable! Not specifically around poeple - I haven't been out and about much yet to notice - but in the design of items. For example, handrails on stairs are a good few inches lower than I mihgt expect them to be, and I managed to bump my head on a train doorway. As for the difference between the complementary slippers and the size of my feet... don't ask!
2. The trains here are quite impressive, even if I wasn't on a bullet train to Kyoto (will definately get on one before too long though!). They really do run on time, and (contrary to the hight comment above) give you a lot of legroom - very American in design.
3. It is easier to get by in English than I feared it might be. It has been genreally spoken in the (admittedly tourist) areas I have been in so far, and there are a significant number of signs that have the place written in English as well as Japanese. I might just be able to find my way around at this rate!
A few observations from my first day here:
1. My height really is noticable! Not specifically around poeple - I haven't been out and about much yet to notice - but in the design of items. For example, handrails on stairs are a good few inches lower than I mihgt expect them to be, and I managed to bump my head on a train doorway. As for the difference between the complementary slippers and the size of my feet... don't ask!
2. The trains here are quite impressive, even if I wasn't on a bullet train to Kyoto (will definately get on one before too long though!). They really do run on time, and (contrary to the hight comment above) give you a lot of legroom - very American in design.
3. It is easier to get by in English than I feared it might be. It has been genreally spoken in the (admittedly tourist) areas I have been in so far, and there are a significant number of signs that have the place written in English as well as Japanese. I might just be able to find my way around at this rate!
1 comment:
Hi David,
Glad to read that you've arrived safe and sound! Looking forward to more tales from your blog.
Take Care,
Richard
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