It may come as no surprise that Japan has some very fast trains. I like to ride these trains and this Monday I was thankful that they are so fast. I had spent a few days in Tokyo with my family and with work when the big Vongfong Typhoon was coming our way. Saturday we were admiring the park near my daughter's home. We really hoped the storm would weaken and stop.
We could see the round Sky Tree tower in the distance. Further down the park was a baseball field with the teams getting ready for a game. Tokyo is the largest city I've ever seen and it stretches on for mile after mile.
Sunday we were shopping along Ginza street with the big crowds. There were so many nice stores and coffee shops. I didn't buy any clothes but I tried some on.
I kept thinking about the largest storm of the year that was coming toward us. Our train tickets for home were reserved for Monday at 5:28 PM on the Bullet Train (Shinkansen). The storm forecasts kept changing, but I was nervous because if there is too much wind or rain the trains are stopped. These beautiful trains travel at speeds up to 320 km per hour / 200 miles per hour, so a strong storm wind can be dangerous.
I knew the stations would be crowded with people trying to return home and the storm was getting strong in the afternoon. I decided to forget my reserved seat and go wait at the station for one of the cars without reserved seating. I walked all the way to the end of the train platform and stood where train car #1 would be. I was lucky to be first in the line. I met the captain and he confirmed the train was the correct one to get me to Koriyama and connect me with a normal train through themountains. I took this picture of myself as my green train approaches. The captain stands behind me with the key to open the train and let us on. Many people who didn't come early are standing behind me on the platform. Everyone got on the train and everyone in my car got a seat.
To escape the storm I would have been happy to stand, but going 320 kph it feels safer to be sitting. After we left, the trains were all stopped at 4:00 PM and my original train was one of those that was cancelled. I'm so happy I didn't have to sleep in the station.
Comments
Thank you for the nice comments Anah and Choitaib Eric, I'm glad you enjoyed reading.
Bob Sir, its really lovely to know about you and your life through your blogs I enjoy reading them.
Thank you Anah, Bapuji, and Lilya. I'm very glad you liked my post. It is fun for me to share about traveling and doing things with my family.
sounds It was an entertaining trip !! wish to visit some Asian countries among them Japan !!
very nice story you shared with us. Lots and lots of thanks for you.You described the story so lively and naturally that made me feel as if I am in Japan visiting the developed country. So beautiful you described sir. waiting for more post. thanks once more.
Bob Sir, I must say you have got a lovely family. May you all stay blessed.
Thanks friends! I really appreciate your comments, Luci, Daniel, Doc, Anah, Eric and Seeker. I do love to travel but even more I love my friends on EnglishClub. The typhoon wasn't so dangerous on our island and to the North. The rain and wind can be a bother, but Japan has what are possibly the best constructed buildings in the world. We have to have strong houses to survive our many earthquakes.
Also please don't worry too much about radiation hurting me. I am 60 miles West of the broken reactors and we will have no serious problems as long as they stay stable. Here are my kids getting ready to enjoy a meal of Mexican food in Tokyo before the Typhoon. It was wonderful to see them and buy them a nice dinner. My kids are sitting next to me.
No matter what happens regarding planes, trains, or automobiles during our visit to a foreign country, it's always an amazing experience. Whether you're staring at a hole in the floor of a local buss that's transporting you to a local cantina in Mexico or battling an Asian Typhoon while attempting to journey home to your local garden, travel is fantastic. After a trip abroad, I often return home while kissing my home soil. Still, the experience is amazing and often changes us profoundly as human beings. Take care old boy and get home safely. :)
How wisely you saved yourself from the storm.
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