Konnichiwa Kanazawa

Holy crap, when will I learn?

Everyone in life makes mistakes. Most people even make carefully planned mistakes. Okay, maybe not 'carefully' planned, but planned nonetheless. But, they do not make them again. Me? If only.

I have been saying for years that I should never be a travel agent. Almost seven, I think. It was spring break of my freshman year in college and I went to Baltimore and Boston in one week. By trains, planes and cars. It was lots of fun, but very, very stupid to do it how I did. And I have planned vacations since then. Last April I went to Denver and DC in the same week. Again, what the fsck am I thinking?

Why I do these things is a conversation for another time, but I have done it again. I am currently in Kanazawa in an internet cafe because my train to Kyoto doesn't leave until 3 am. I won't be here until then because I have no idea when the busses run to, but I will be here awhile. Now, I got into Kanazawa yesterday at 6.30 am. Really, most people would look at overnight train-hostel-overnight train as too much travelling. Me? Dial it up.

And oh, that hostel? Closed. Has been for who knows how long. I asked a lady for directions to it and she laughed at me. Thank you guide book. Blech.

I am currently tired, bored and I can't go outside because it is snowing. Yes, snow. Why are you snowing? Weather? Toss me a bone here. And if it is precipitating anything in Kyoto you and me are going a couple of rounds.

Oh, and since my Japanese is crap I am having a helluva time getting my ferry to Okinawa sorted out. I finally knuckled under on booking that myself today and went to a travel agent. Oh lord, that was hilarious. We spoke terrible Japanese and then when I didn't understand something I had to go look up 'I do not understand.' Like she couldn't tell.

And no, I didn't actually get a ferry ticket, the ferry ticket people were closed. It is Sunday. Who still pays attention to days of the week? Craziness I tell you.

It was raining earlier, so I didn't get to do anything as walking in the pouring rain is something akin to awful. No Japanese print museum, Kanazawa Spring and shrine or the ninja shrine. Shrine made by ninjas, not a shrine to ninjas. At least I made it the national garden yesterday. It was gorgeous.

*Sidebar to my mom*
You totally have to come here. I could have spent days in this garden and nothing was in bloom and it was gorgeous! You not being here is actually a crime.
*End sidebar*

Kanazawa pictures up. My dirty, nasty travelling beard shaved. Oh lord do I look like crap with a beard. Ugh. Its all patchy and fugly on my cheeks still. Yep, 24 and I can not grow a beard. But I have to shave everyday. Hoo-ray for no fun!