Mondays and Wednesdays off is a rough schedule that does not allow for much recuperation. I am trying to balance being a helpful mom, without being in the way. Katie has certainly proven she does not need any help. but that doesn’t mean it isn’t nice, especially when you’re tired and not feeling 100%. I felt pretty badly when I caused us to miss the “good” train (less crowded). I forgot my scarf and literally took 30 seconds to get it. Even with walking super fast to the station, the train pulled away as we came down the stairs–they run on time to the minute and she has mastered the schedule! Nonetheless, for the third time, I took the train with her to Kawanishi and she even got a seat–phew!
It was forecast to be 63 degrees yesterday, so I researched stuff to do outside. Katie told me about Minoo Park, which looked beautiful online. I had it all mapped out when I caught a glance of “closed today.” What? I researched other parks–all closed on Tuesdays. Huh.
The one thing I was not willing to miss was my 45 minutes at lunch with Katie. I had about 2 hours. I guess like anything else, the more you do it the more you notice. Most of the trip to Kawanishi is by train rather than subway, so I could see a beautiful river and bridge not too far from our stop. I set my map to that area and off I went, realizing this was the area I had been too scared to go more than a straight line and back just 2 weeks ago.
I could see a mountain in the distance so I diverted from the map directions slightly. I found myself in a beautiful neighborhood. There was a canal of water moving through it, with small bridges that turned out to be driveways. The homes were very close with almost no yard, but it was really pretty. The area went on for block after block. I thought it was just a footpath or bike trail, but in fact the small narrow strips of pavement were tiny streets.
I noticed that one home had barbed wire along the wall next to the house and wondered what that was about. I kept walking, aiming for the bridge and mountain. A bird call I have never heard came from near me. I paused and tried to find the little guy, but he remained hidden. There was a temple sandwiched between the homes, right in the middle of the neighborhood. I don’t know the protocol so I didn’t walk in. A lady came up the walk, bowed, and entered.
Finally I ended up by the river–it was so beautiful with the water rushing. There was a very nice walkway next to it but only a few people around. I won’t bore you with my excitement over 2 new ducks and 2 new birds I saw–definitely Japanese birds and you can email me for their names once I’ve identified them 🙂
Katie and I had lunch and one of her adult students waved at us, a woman about my age. I met another student, a man in his 70’s, the other day. He was very gracious, explaining that Katie was his teacher. I said to Katie that he would probably miss her. She said, nope, he was going to the Philippines for 6 months. I said, Oh, does he have family there? No, he wants to learn Tagalog, their language. He just retired from teaching last week………Wow.
I was more rested and warm, so I really had no excuse to go home. I had researched seeing a movie and found there was a theatre not too far from where we were, just one train stop actually. However, it was from a different train station. I decided I would take it one step at a time and allow myself to give up if it didn’t feel right, but as Katie said, the other station is only a 6 minute walk. Truly she makes it all seem…….maybe not easy, but doable. I blundered through finding my way to the other train station. Turns out it was near the statue of the guy on the horse I posted last week. Ok!
Google maps said go one stop but of course that only helps if you get on the right train going the right direction. Again, this was a train, not a subway, so it’s a little different. I figured that no matter what, I’d get off at the next stop. If it was the wrong one, I would hope with all my might that I could take the train right back.
These tracks were right in the middle of a neighborhood and business area. Some of the tracks run less than 15 feet from the homes. The trains are very quiet, but still. I saw a huge building called Bike World. Then I saw the mall that my theatre was supposedly in and I was pretty optimistic.
Well it never occurred to me that the movie titles posted conveniently in English on my laptop would be in Japanese at the theatre. Nor did it occur me that there was no clerk–you buy your tickets from a machine.
Deep breath. Some of the screen had English words on it. I kept pressing buttons for movies but mine was not there. I had considered seeing Legend of the Demon Cat because it was up for a bunch of Asian Film awards and was noted for being visually amazing–which would be a good thing as I wouldn’t understand a word.
For a moment I almost bought a ticket for Black Panther again. It was in English and playing at a time that would allow me to get back to Katie on time. I kept touching the movie options and going back and finally pressed a button for something called Katui-Kai or something and there it was….1720 (5:20 p.m.). That had to be my movie. I pressed many more buttons to get my time, my seat, and my payment and pretty soon I was in the theatre with my 10 Japanese friends.
The movie was incredible. It was funny how despite the language barrier, I was enthralled. It was described as a fantasy movie set in the Tang Dynasty in China. It was amazingly beautiful and I was not surprised to learn that they are up for awards for the director, the set, and the costumes, among others. Interestingly, 2 of the songs in the movie were in English. It said online that they claim they are turning the set into a theme park! Like the other patrons, I sat quietly until the end of the credits.
When I got outside it was dark, 8 p.m. Suddenly it felt nearly reckless of me to have to find a train and get back to my station then walk to my other station and find Katie. Honestly I felt a little sick. Each train station and subway stop has a little jingle they play that is specific to that station. I checked my map and checked again and watched for signs and maybe……I was pretty sure…….this was my platform. The jingle started and people started running past me. I had not seen this before–did this mean there was not another train? Or not for a while? I held my breath and stepped on the train. Google maps said 2 stops. As I was riding, the sign over the door quickly flashed the English the name of my stop–the “next stop.” It seemed like we got there so quickly and the map said 2 stops. As we pulled in I found the one English sign on the platform. This was my stop. I don’t mind telling you I was very relieved. I walked and walked; even though I was sure I knew where I was going and I had an hour, I wasn’t going to stop until I saw Katie’s building.
Truth be told I really just wanted to sit in a sports bar and have a beer while I waiting. Instead, I went into Family Mart and bought a bag of chips and bottle of water. I must have looked battle worn because the clerk offered me 5 of the little wet-naps they always put in your bag, haha! I sat in my window seat and at that moment it felt like a glamorous little bar and grill 🙂
I had 45 minutes, so I went to the grocery on the bottom floor of the mall next to Katie’s building. Again I sat and finished my water with more junk food. I realized they were playing Auld Lang Syne but didn’t pay much attention. Then I thought………..are they trying to close? Yep, the sign said 2100–9 p.m. I chuckled thinking about someone trying to play a song that would make the American realize it was time to go!
I met Katie outside her school and she said, “Hurry!” We ran across street to the train station, ran up 2 flights of stairs, hustled through the gates, then ran up the very long escalator. We walked onto the train with less than a minute to spare. Katie grinned, “I’ve never missed it! The next one doesn’t leave for 10 minutes.”
We got back to her place at 10:15 p.m. Once again I made her macaroni and cheese. Her kitchen is so incredibly small I was glad she didn’t want anything more elaborate. And now I’m doing her laundry 🙂 It’s the least I can do for Katie Sensai <3
Photo: Bridge over the Ina River
I hold my breath every time you walk, or ride the train, until you get to your destination! Glad your movie worked out well!