I have just rediscovered (yet again) that bicycles are AMAZING!
My dad and A. had the foresight to ask their friend S. for his bicycle while he was away... and I've been riding it all over Shugakuin (that's my dad's neighborhood, it's like a little village inside of Kyoto)! Getting to and from the subway station on a bike is a breeze, making my day trips a lot easier (more on those to come soon, I'm currently exhausted from a day trip to Tokyo).
My first day here, A. and I went to the local mall by bike, and I spent the whole ride over just marveling at the fact that I was biking through the streets of Kyoto. There's nothing quite like riding a bike in a city to get its feel.
Another good bike encounter was in Himeji yesterday. I went to the tourism office to get a map (my awesome Explore Japan (free!) magazine didn't have one -- more on that magazine later too) and was told that I could rent a bike... for free! I accepted the wonderful offer immediately, all I had to do was write down my name and phone number and voilà! I was the proud temporary owner of a bike! The only instruction I received was to return it at 5:30pm, or... what exactly? I wasn't asked for I.D. or a deposit, the honor system is all-persuasive here it seems. Anyways, I had a great time riding around Himeji and did in fact return the bike safe and sound before 5:30pm.
Tonight on my way home from the subway station (by bike of course) I thought about trying to buy or rent a bike once I settle in Tacloban City, Philippines in about a week's time.
Plus bikes can be really pretty:
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