A Little Different

Stepping off the plane at Fukuoka International, it felt a little different. Pa noticed it too. Quieter for sure, and orderly. There was no rush or push or cutting in line.

Passing through immigration was efficient and pleasant. Having placed my cap on the counter next to the camera, I left it behind. The young woman who granted us entry tracked us down soon after.

As good as 7-Elevens are throughout Asia, Japan is reputed to have the finest. And their egg salad sandwiches the best in the world, bar none. There being no food service on Air Taiwan, we stopped at the first we saw. Adjacent to the ATM machine, it was well stocked, an entire shelf devoted to egg salad.

With newly dispensed yens, we left with a green tea and sandwich in hand,

and sat next to a young man from the Netherlands, half-way through an egg salad.

“Best there is,” he told us with a smile. “I eat them slowly. Savor them. They go down like ice cream.”

He was right, and we bought a second.

Check-in at Hostel TOKI was 4PM, no earlier. So we chose the hour walk rather than bus it. We’d heard that Fukuoka is laid back and felt it immediately.

Tree lined sidewalks.

People and pigeons picnicking together.

There was pickup soccer,

pitching practice,

socializing,

and sunbathing.

Lunch served without fanfare,

and crossing the street . . .

no one goes,

until everyone goes.

Though not particularly hungry, we stopped for a salad,

a little different from a house salad back home.

And the house music,

Brahms then Stan Getz on sax.

With time to notice, a theme emerged:

Bicycles,

they were everywhere,

granted the right of way

over all others.

Accommodation is made for their storage,

When inconvenient,

they can be parked anywhere.

A little different from Bangkok, Hong Kong or Taipei where scooter and motorcycle rule the road.

Arriving at Hostel TOKI,

we were greeted with peace and quiet.

After dark we walked the streets,

a little different from those we‘d walked elsewhere.