Okay – I must confess, I got lost today!  I blame the trains – my train was 3 minutes late, and I got off at Kagoshima Station instead of Kagoshima Chuo.  I thought the ‘Chuo’ meant ‘Station’!  And, believe it or not, 3 minutes late is LATE.  Japan trains arrive and depart on the dot!  Amazing.  Anyways, I got off and had no idea where to go, and all the attendants that I talked to didn’t speak english.  However, I prayed and God helped to calm me down, and I found a railcar that took me right to my hotel.  Whew!

Speaking of not speaking english, hardly anyone that I’ve met speaks english!  I’ve met very few people that can speak as well as the some of the 10 year olds that I met in Uganda!  But, I’ve been getting along okay, since I can read and speak a little.  But I’ve found that I don’t have to be good at Japanese, I just have to be good at charades!  Yep.  Exaggerated motions, a goofy sense of humor, and sweet sound effects usually get the job done pretty good.  Also, throw in a couple of u’s and o’s and english basically turns into Japanese.  “My bagu is hebi!”  I slouch, wipe the imaginary sweat off my forehead, pant a little.  Communication successful.

Today I am in Kagoshima, the home of my Grandma Ishii’s parents.  Its the largest southernmost city, and is a pleasant 65 degrees.  This place is buzzing with colors, towers, sounds, and rushing mass transit.  People swim through crowded sidewalks with bicycles and old grandmas.  No matter where you turn, there is a soba shop or sushi bar.

I decided to rent a bike and circumvent Sakurajima mountain, which is on a island next to Kagoshima.  After 1.5 hours of asking around for a bike rental shop, I finally get my bike – a “mama chari” granny bike, complete with the basket, springy cushioned seat, and guess what – an electric motor!!!  I felt so embarrassed to ride the thing, I rudely told the attendant that I have “genki ashi” (strong legs” and I want a “genki raku chyari” (strong bike).  Ashamed, he said this was the only one.  So, red-faced I saddle up the 40+ lb. bike, toss my map and water bottle into the granny basket in front, and scooch away.  How the heck am I gonna ride this thing around a mountain?!

I hop a ferry and an old grandma is smiling at me in her car, rolls the window down and asks me where I’m from.  She just kept on smiling – my mama chari and huge backpack had “stupid tourist” written all over it!  I began my 20 mile trek around the mountain, and quickly die going up the hills.  Swallowing my pride and any shred of bicycle dignity that I’ve ever had, I turn on the electric motor, which barely did ANYTHING except squeak a mechanical bloody murder.  …sigh.  I finally circumvent the island after 2 hrs 30 min, shirt soaked from sweat and rain.  Whew!  Who’s idea was this anyways?!?  …I’m gonna kill him, I swear.

My highlight for the day was being able to talk to my girlfriend Danielle for the first time since I arrived in Japan.  I miss her so much!  Here’s my FAVORITE picture of us, even though it’s really blurry.  We like each other lots lots!!!

Thanks for reading and all your support!

Jamie