Journey to the North : Day 1

February 8th, 2009 (Sunday)

Kyoto --> Kobe --> Sapporo

Laüren and I braved the hördes of spatially unaware Kyoto-jin to take pleasure in COFFEE.
After replenishing our caffeine levels, we met fellows Kristin F and Jian-Wen C. and hopped the locomotive to Köbe city. The sky is eerily blue today.

Kobe as seen from the Port Liner locomotive
A swarthy crew, indeed. (Kristin, Jianwen, Rachel & Lauren)Posing in front of Kobe Port

The earthquake long ago has done wonders for this bustling metropolis. Its appearance resembles of a mixture of Seattle and Disneyland. We sit crouched next to a time-inappropriate Christmas tree, surrounded by our various parcels. The information sign says,

"ANA 403 Sapporo -- Weather Check".

Weather looks fine to me...

The frigid winds of the Nörth are somehow preventing the checking-in of our personal items! But we shall overcome this temporary hardship in time. Patience is of the utmost importance on this, our maiden voyage day! We can only hope the meager sandwiches will last us until we reach 27,000 feet and are rewarded with tea. *** We have made it to Chisöte Aérpört! The landing was most exciting and received applause from the natives. Fresh off the flying vessel, the four of us made our way by another locomotive to the Kita Hötel -- our primitive accommodations. Indoor plumbing and electric lights should suit us just fine.

Dressed in our warmest, we brave the bleak and frigid climate.

We dress in our furs and journey out into the Winterländ. It is night, and the darkness turns the wind into a piercing, penetrating gale. We seek shelter and warmth in the red-light district of Susükinø [薄野], where the indigenous tribes of Sapporo have staved off insanity by carving the shapes of animals into the ice. We observed actual sea-creatures (crabs, fish, etc) freshly encased in the blocks of ice.

frozen monstrosities!

Fearing our own capture and encasement, we seek shelter in an 'îzakåyä', where we meet a kindred explorer from the subcontinent of Néw Jërséy. Her name -- Geetika. She and her indigenous squaw, Naöko, regale us with tales of frivolity with the local peoples of Tokyö. We fend off the cold by downing exotic "cöçktaëls" and partaking in traditional dishes such as sashimi, kara-age, and pizzå. Laüren decides to befriend this explorer and continue alcoholic indulgence, whilst I (as the Japanese say) "cash in my chips" and head back to the inn for rest~ I'll need it for the frozen days ahead.

Post dinner! (Naoko, Gittika, Lauren, Rachel)