Sights and Salutations, Susie-Style

Susie – Sights from Kyoto that I’ll always remember:

Bicycles were everywhere! They were piloted by grandmas, grandpas, young urban professionals, and kids. One woman peddled by with a brief-case wielding man riding on the rear. Kyoto’s version of dropping husband off at work? Another young mother had a young child in front and rear carriers. Kyoto station wagon? Most riders held an umbrella (it rained every day but one) as they guided their bike through thick car and pedestrian traffic.

Small motorcycles weaving in and out of commuter traffic. The driver was often a beautifully-dressed young woman with high heels.

Taxis that sometimes seemed more numerous than civilian cars. The headrests and top part of the front seats sported white coverings -- usually lace. The drivers wore white gloves, and, though language may have been a factor, concentrated on driving rather than chatting with the customers. One driver had a flat tire and began jacking up the car with us, his passengers, sitting in our seats!

Prizes:

Jane – for meeting the most hostel guests and providing interesting descriptions of our fellow travelers.

Cathy – for spying the good shopping opportunities, and keeping us together.

Steve – for guiding the group-of-eight through shopping malls, train stations, temples, and etc, with unfailing grace, and serving as the language expert.

Kelsey – for snapping the most, and probably the very best, pics with her fine camera.

Mae – for outwalking the rest of us, and for being a constant, cheerful presence.

Ted – for spotting the unspottable directional signs in the train station, and finding joy looking at the beautiful, beautiful Japanese gardens.

Bob – for doing an outstanding job planning the trip (weighing expense vs. need), doing the legwork needed for plane and train tickets, booking hostel rooms, procuring Mayumi’s services, and caring for a host of other details.

And…my favorite memory is from our last taxi ride to the train station. The white-gloved driver had explained that he taught himself English. When we got out of the car, he stood before us, bowed, and said, “I want to thank you on behalf of my country for all that your people have done for us as we recover from our disaster.” (Bob and Cathy, you know I didn’t write this as he spoke, so it is somewhat a paraphrase).