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SAT 17 JUL 99 Entertaining in the Big Udon
Maurice had called Monday night to say that he would call again regarding his and his wife’s arrival in Osaka. A week ago, she had concluded touring Japan with the Percy Faith Orchestra. Maurice joined her in Tokyo for the last week, and they spent a week vacationing in Hokkaido and Sapporo.
Like any good child’s promise to a parent, he didn’t call. Instead I learned from his mother that he would call me last night. Again no call. And now, he rouses me from sleep at 7:00 AM, breathless, almost panicked. He says he and Lynn are checking out of their Tokyo hotel and will arrive on the Shinkansen at 10:30.
Click.
So I get up, ditz around, catch up on stretching out some Udon noodles, and putting them in the pot to simmer. I wrap up and am at the Shin-Osaka station by 10:20. It’s easy—it’s just one stop north on the JR trains to Kyoto. At Shin-Osaka, I have to wait at the turnstiles next to the Shinkansen ticket booths. I’m not allowed past the turnstiles unless I have a ticket.
10:30 passes. Let’s see…what was that contingency plan? Like, what happens if they’re late? Do I wait all day? If I go back to the hotel, will they know how to call? Or what number? I get a schedule. I check it against the characters for Osaka and Tokyo and hope that the timetable reads from top to bottom. In that case, the next train from Tokyo is not due in for another hour-and-a-half. Wouldn’t that be fun?
At 10:45, they pass through the turnstiles—apparently their train was delayed at some point to let another one pass. But they’re here. Laden down with luggage, and here. Could you carry this? So, after having gained some sixty extra pounds, we head back to the Umeda station and the Hilton. - - - - - - - - -———¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥——— - - - - - - - - -
Stop at Le Bihan.
Stop at Daimaru for mini croissants.
Yes, the Hilton. The hotel for which they have no reservations. Their flight is currently scheduled to leave Tokyo on Monday, but they want to change their departure from Osaka. Does Maurice want to take care of his arrangements? No. He and Lynn want to go to Kyoto to see the Gion Festival. I insist that business be taken care of first.
Dump luggage in my room.
No resolution on changing flights as a result of calls—ANA LA is closed except during flights. ANA Japan cannot change flights booked thru LA, etc.
Can’t get to Hilton thru local or overseas calls, but get best rate by talking to Asst. Mgr.
Take the Hankyu to Kyoto. Arrive there and parade is over.
Get info at Info counter of Takashimaya on south side of Shijo-dori, Kiyomizu Wait at refreshment stand. Get green tea with red bean ice. Walk past various temples until we reach the bottom. See Crane dance. Also: Shogun with cell phone Twirling ark Boy on horse, not girl Procession while traffic continues on Taxi tries to squeeze into parade
Lady taxi driver back to JR station FM station (Mo’ Cool ’99, Alpha Station, 89. 4 FM-Kyoto) DJs on stage with hundreds on steps to platform Work way to the top Go back to Osaka
Check In They pick up their luggage. Their room is fancier. I help carry it up. It looks like same room as mine but with an extra line of wood trim, and all of the wood trim and furniture stained dark. I prefer the light treatment in the rooms that I have stayed in. The view might be a little better because it’s on the 31st floor instead of the 26th.
Kirin Plaza—empty though close
Baskin & Robbins—walk thru but no chocolate
Garlic & Garlic Eggplant & miso Pumpkin Soup—cold, with cream Roasted garlic Garlic & Pumpkin Croquettes Pumpkin salad Scallops Pizza—soggy, dried basil (like seaweed) Beer for me, tea for the others
Walk to Hard Rock Unbeknownst to me, my son is a Hard Rock fanatic regarding collectables. Not too concerned about eating there, other than the fact that it has been a saving grace is some foreign lands.
Aren’t children wonderful? |