Today I went to Yokohama and Back! Well maybe not straight back but close!

 

To day I took the train into Yokohama from Shin-Yokohama. Paul and I first got up and had breakfast together at the Prince Hotel.  

These are some pictures from the view in our room. We are on the 39th floor.

   

Paul then went off to work and I took a walk around Shin-Yokohama. It was really cold and winding this morning and it rained all night. I took some pictures as I walked around always keeping the train station and hotel in sight. A very nice young man asked me if I would like my picture taken in very good English and I did and thanked him. Everyone was hurrying to get on the subway or train to work or school. I felt like a fish up stream in some places.

 

   

Around 9:30 am here I decide to take the big leap and get a ticket and on the train to Yokohama station by myself. So I did. Several people were very helpful and there was always one person who worked at the ticket office that could speak a little English. I had my phrases written on a card. Suminasen (excuse me for help) Yokohama station wa doko desu ka. (Where is the….?). This was very helpful.

 

I wanted to find the store that had yarn I was told about in Yokohama but was mistaken about the directions when I got there. I walked all around the underground shopping and through the city street close to the station. I found one great store Tokyu hands. I was looking for a backpack but did not get one as all of them were from the U.S.A. There was Coleman, and one from Kansas, and North (can’t remember the name right now). Plus they were three times the price. $69.00 for a Coleman backpack is way over the line. I got a cheap one for $20.00. I hope it keeps together for the trip.

 

    

 

I walked and walked and walked and then I climbed stairs but I had a great time. When I was done I got my ticketed and asked what platform for Shin-Yokohama. I went to platform 5 as told and got on. About 40 minutes into the ten minute trip back I figured I was going somewhere but not Shin-Yokohama. I turned the very nice women next to me and asked “Shin-Yokohama wa doko desu ka”. She smiled pointed back and said a whole lot of things I did not understand. Then the lovely elderly lady across started pointing back too and shaking her head, then pointed forward the way the train was going and said a whole lot of things I did not understand until she sign one more stop and said Tokyo! Shoot I went the wrong way and a long ways from what I wanted. In this case east was not going to meet west. The two ladies turned me toward the door and when it was open pushed me out pointing to the ticket window and saying a whole lot of things I did not understand! I said thank from my cheat sheet and head to find the help.

 

I was at Hamamatsucho two stops from Tokyo. The nice man at the ticket booth told me a whole lot of things I did not understand then handed me an English Railway Map and made several circles. I was to get back on going back ten stops get off at Higashi-Kanagewa find the ticket booth and find the right platform from them. Success I was home in a hour and half for that ten minute train ride. But I sure got to see a lot of people and the backs of apartments. Really everyone was so nice and helpful. However, I am not letting go of the map until I am gone!

 

 

    

Things I learned so far. Japanese people are very nice to strange looking Americans. They are really helpful if you at least try to speak Japanese. Not all Japanese people look a like. They are as different looking as in any American city. They just all have a similar eye shape and dark hair but the rest runs the full globe.  I thought they would be more homogeneous. Boy am I glad I was wrong. Teenagers are the same everywhere. They all want to look different by looking like each other. And the girls talk loud and scream a lot. Teenage boys like to play handheld games and read comic books.  

 

Girls have this great look of long black stockings up to their knee with short short short skirts. With five blouses and at least two belts. They all wear high high did I tell you they were high heels. Everyone is on the phone.

 

And everyone says good morning to you.

 

I went to the really upscale store in Yokohama just as it opened. Every store employee there was standing at their station greeting and bowing good morning to each person as they past by. It was really impressive. Well I am going to take a nap! So I can make it through dinner. More tomorrow, I am planning on going to Kamakura by train to see all the temples there. It is famous for many temples.