Kanazawa... by way of Niigata?

I often think that I have a talent for trouble.

I departed early this morning to ensure that I wouldn't miss the train I'd selected for my little holiday excursion. When I arrived at the station, I realized that I was in enough time to take an earlier train. So I decided to make the switch. So far, so good. I went to the ticketing window, got myself sorted, and then headed for the train platform.

Then I made a mistake.

Because my first choice train departed at 10:12 and my backup train departed at 11:12, I assumed that the 9:12 departure was the train I wanted. And I further complicated matters for myself by not listening carefully to the pre-departure announcements, during which time I'm sure it was mentioned that the train I was on did not stop at my transfer point.

Although, to be fair, I showed my ticket to an attendant at the train door and asked if I was in the right place, and she said yes. So it wasn't just me. (Not that it's other people's responsibility to ensure that I'm not behaving like a dork.)

I realized the problem about a minute after departure, and - of course - that was too late. Once the train starts, it doesn't stop. My exclamation of sudden realization caught the attention of the woman sitting next to me, so I explained what had happened. We had a good laugh about it.

"Well, there's nothing for it," I told her. "I guess I'll just enjoy the ride!"

She thought that was very funny. (And indeed, my sense of humor has always been there to carry me through the various blunders of my life.)

When the conductor came through the train, she stopped him on my behalf and explained the situation in more succinct terms than I could probably have used. (I haven't really had any problems making myself understood in a rather long time now, but I still stumble over things sometimes when I'm trying to speak.) The conductor very kindly took the time to consult his timetable and write out an itinerary for me that would get me to my final destination as quickly as possible.

And he was worried enough about me to find me after arrival and tell me which platform to go to.

I got a lot of mileage out of the phrases gomendou okake itashimashite doumo sumimasen and otesuu okake itashimashite doumo sumimasen (which both basically mean, "I've troubled you quite a bit, please excuse me") today.

So, in the end, I lost two hours in travel. But I got to see some beautiful countryside, and I had yet another opportunity to experience the general awesomeness of other people. I mean, sometimes you do meet up with a lemon, but for the most part people are pretty darn decent.

And it's not like a I dropped another cellphone down the toilet, or anything.

Kanazawa Arrival.

After my adventures on the JR trains, I got into Kanazawa at about 3:15 and headed straight for the guest house (with a brief and profitable stop at the station tourist information center).

It was raining heavily, but even the gray skies couldn't marr the splendor of the Kanazawa Station's East Exit. The entire plaza is overhung by a vast, and stunningly modern, canopy of glass and steel. A network of escalators connects the ground floor with the underground plaza, surrounded by a two-storey water fountain.

I'm not sure what I expected of the station, but that wasn't it. I was impressed.

Finding the guest house was easy, and it was mercifully close to the station. Even still, I got soaked. I was warmly welcomed by the proprietor, Makoto-san, who gave me the tour, let me settle in, and then checked me in when I was ready.

I checked some email and things, made a little plan for the following day, and then decided to find some dinner.

I didn't want to wander around aimlessly in search of food, so I went back to the station. Large train stations in Japan almost invariably have restaurants, and Kanazawa didn't disappoint. (And really, after that East Exit how could it have?)

I had unagi-don (grilled eel over rice) and a tall glass of beer, both of which just hit the spot. I took my time over the meal, which included miso and sunomono, and finished up with a leisurely cup of tea.

Back at the guesthouse, I worked on homework and then joined in a nice hour of Japanese conversation with Makoto-san and a couple of the other guests (a girl from Dusseldorf and a girl from Tokyo). Then it was bedtime, and a comfy-cosy futon awaited. I snuggled in and fell right asleep.

Note: This entry has been backdated to preserve continuity.