shopping downtown, and more feeling like an idiot

So yesterday, my goal was to figure out public transportation. This basically stemmed from my fear of riding bicycles and desire to avoid it as much as possible. So, with various bus maps and time tables in hand, I set off downtown. The bus I'm interested runs in a big figure 8 loop aruond the city (in both directions), but it only does so once an hour. So, I have to be sure to catch the bus going in the right direction and towards the correct half of the loop. I got downtown with no incident. Clutching my "Welcome to Matsuyama" bus map in hand, I got on. I was hoping to follow the lady in front of me, but she simply swiped a card which I did not posess. So I just sat down, looked wildly around me, and waited. The bus was filled with old obachans--which makes some sense, as most people who are young and hardy choose to ride bicycles instead. The nice obachan sitting next to me then leaned over and told me the fare was a flat 150yen, and to pay at the front before leaving. Having done my research, I knew all this, but still it was reassuring to be told in person. I smiled at the obachan and thanked her, and got off at my stop.

Most of the shopping downtown is along two perpendicular streets, Ookaido and Gintengai. Basically, they are covered streets lined with shops. Mostly pedestrians, but apparently you can ride your bike or even drive your car down this mall-like street. There were random bikes parked all along the sides, in front of stores. I found one that I really, really liked. It's short name is "Muji". I wish there were some in the US! They sell all sorts of things, from clothing to furniture to snack food and stationery. Everything is clean and minimalist in neutral and natural shades. Here is it's English website: http://www.muji.net/eng/ The store is just so...natural and appealing. I really, really, really want this bed/recliner/couch. http://www.muji.net/store/pc/user/campaign/campaign070803_03.jsp It's just so damn cool!!

I also found a nice yarn store, which even stocks non-Japanese yarns like Anny Blatt and Filatura di Crosa. It was kind of a surprise. They also have nice books of patterns in Japanese, though I have to figure out how to read the diagrams. I also have a big stash of yarn that I brought with me, that I really should finish before I buy more yarn!

So, on the return trip, I was loaded up with things, mostly from Muji. These things included a huge, multifunctional, boyfriend/stuffed animal replacement pillow that allows me to lie on it and hug it at the same time: http://www.muji.net/store/cmdty/detail/4945247326734 scroll down to the bottom to check out the usage diagram. I couldn't resist.

Two big bags in tow, I set off for the bus stop well before the time the bus was supposed to get there. I figured, logically, that since I was catching the reverse direction, the stop would be on the opposite side of the street from where I got off. Not so!! I could not for the life of me find the stop for the east-direction loop bus. I even asked two strangers. So after awhile, I figured I would walk to the next bus stop. I figured I was still early, so I could beat the bus there and wait for it there. Lo and behold, the next bus stop didn't have the appropriate east-direction stop as well!! There was a west-direction stop on the other side of the street, but on my side I couldn't find one. I was starting to think that maybe Japanese people only put bus stops on one side of the street, in order to save on materials or something. Still early, I decide to go to the next bus stop. Thankfully, that one had stops on both sides of the street, so I decided I wasn't crazy. It was scheduled to arrive at 3:09, and I arrived literally at 3:10. But the whole way I was walking, I didn't see the bus pass me, so I decide to wait. Maybe it was late. After all, the bus that originally picked me up was 10 minutes late. So I wait until 3:25, and give up. I was already halfway home. Only three stops to go. So, I walk the rest of the way home, pillow and all.

Next time, I'm riding the stupid bike. At least, by walking, I discovered that the way to get downtown is actually quite safe and lined with sidewalks nearly all the way, so my bike never has to share the road with cars. Good going. I should buy some securing elastic too, so next time I decide to buy something like a huge pillow or blanket, I can lash it to the back of my bike.

Still riding this wave of "yes, I can ride bikes dammit" I try to ride my bike to the office today. This time, it's a different bike, provided kindly by my advisor. However, I spend about 15 minutes trying to pry the bike stand out from under the bike. You know, it's that bit that allows you to stand the bike up by itself? Without moving it out of the way of the tire, one is unable to go. So I kick the thing, pry it, basically work up a nice fine sweat trying to move it. Unbelievable. It doesn't budge. I just tested it last night! I must be missing something. Meanwhile, people are coming and going and no doubt wondering why I'm trying to steal someone else's bike, as I clearly can't figure it out. Finally, some old man comes up to me and asks me what the problem is. I make a helpless gesture and say something like, "how do you move this part back? I'm a foreign student, you see..." in an attempt to explain my stupidity. He makes an exclaiming noise, "Ah, you're not Japanese!" and promptly kicks a different part of the stand and moves it back. AHHHHHH!!! I knew I was missing something.

But after that, I got to the research office without incident. No cars, no scary moments, no falling off the bike. Ahh, sweet internet. Although, I will be connected at home by next Wednesday, so I wonder if my motivation to come to work will be drastically reduced. :)