Takayama
...written on 06.16.03, @ 12:01 p.m.
Sun June 15, 2003
Min called at 8:30 a.m.to return the borrowed futon and to propose a short run to a record store in Nagoya. On our way there he said he wanted to go to a faraway place, so we changed course for Takayama.
The day was overcast and as we followed the ascending freeway, (Taka=high yama=mountain), the blue, gray and purple clouds wrestled with the mountains thickly stubbled with dark green trees and clumps of light green bamboo.
Since I thought we were going to Nagoya, I didn't eat breakfast because I wanted to treat Min to lunch at the Hard Rock Cafe, so after a while on the road, my tummy was clamoring for food. Min pulled into a rest stop.
Outside there was a little stand where three workers were grilling skewered pieces of meat. I wasn't in the mood for yaki-niku for breakfast though, so I passed them by. Inside, there were drink vending machines galor, your usual softdrinks, and the hot and cold canned coffees, a mini convenience store, and also a bank of machines with pictures of food offerings. I made a selection, put in money, picked up the machine-spat ticket and took it to the folks waiting in the kitchen, who in a few minutes provided me with a big steaming bowl of noodles. Slurp, slurp. Every time I eat noodles, Min takes it upon himself to critique my technique and offer pointers. I had a better time of it later at lunch.
Takayama is famous for its old buildings which have been turned into souvenir shops that share many of their wares, but you can find some unique stores as well. We wandered into a couple of antique stores where Min salivated over the old clocks (he collects them) and passed and then entered a coffee shop, lured by the smell of its black gold within. I bought three Putumayo (World music label) CDs, World Playground and World Playground 2 for my classes and a Mid-Eastern Celtic mix for Min.
It took three hours to drive up there and we spent about two hours walking around and then decided to head back. After about an hour and a half of driving, Min pulled over at a rest stop to sleep for a bit. We put the seats down and snoozed . . . for TWO HOURS! I couldn't believe it!
The scenery again captured my attention on the way down. Houses in the country are bigger and further apart, nestled in the knuckles of mountains and surrounded by rice field checkerboards. The rice is further along than in the lowlands of Ogaki, so we were treated to long stretches of rich green rice plants.
There was an accident on the highway that kept us going at a crawl for an hour. I spied a tour bus next to us and asked Min if he thought they would mind if I used their on board toilet (just joking, of course). During the drive I kept Min entertained with stories from my childhood.
Since I had rest-stop noodles for breakfast, famous Takayama noodles for lunch, we decided to have curry for dinner. Got home just a while ago, and I'm ready for another snooze. I think I'll take a shower first and then call it a night.