May 14 was our day to take the bullet train from Tokyo to Osaka. We took one last look out the window of our hotel and looked at all the white cars in the parking lot. Japanese culture has a saying “The nail that sticks out, gets hammered down.” Literally, anybody who attracts attention in a group is likely to be criticized, reproached and brought into conformity with the others. I think at the time we were there, approximately 70% of all cars sold in Japan were in the colour white.
Not much to tell. After working for 3 companies over 43+ years (38 years 7 months with my last company), I finally got that promotion I had waited my entire career for……retirement.
I have been exploring this new career for the past 7+ years and while it is not always exciting, the chance to do what I want for myself and my family instead of what my company wants has been very fulfilling. Early on, there was a long list of projects in my “to-do” hopper and I attacked these projects with a vengeance for the first 9 months of retirement. Eventually, my brain told me that this was not what retirement was about, so it took me another 5 months before my industriousness again took over and I attacked another line of projects, this time somewhat shorter and less complicated, as well as many new projects related to the family weddings in 2016. After going hard for 6 weeks and 3 weddings, my body was telling me to relax, then the flu bug hit and as soon as that was done with me, my sciatic acted up. No rest for the wicked. In 2020 and 2021, the Covid 19 pandemic changed the whole retirement gig. I was lucky to not be still working, for sure.
I enjoy photography, gardening, working with my hands, walking, cycling, skiing, travelling, reading and creating special photo and video productions obtained in my first pastime. I may never become wealthy in any of these pursuits, but I already feel I am rich in life experiences far beyond any expectation.
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7 thoughts on “Analogue Adventures – Tokyo to Osaka 1985 – Day 4”
The castle is beautiful and how great to have stumbled on such a welcoming place for dinner. Those kinds of moment are what travel is all about.
We were lucky that Osaka is so walkable, as it seems that is how we rolled in those days. We always tried to pick ryokan close to the train station. Hirano Bar was a hoot. I was just hoping I was not the Japanese version of Norm. The warm sake really broke the ice, so to speak. Thanks for reading Lyssy. Allan
Haven’t made it to Osaka yet, so lapped all this up with fresh eyes. More wonderful people encounters and images. Kyoko (red sweater?) looks like a real character. You did well emerging from the situation with a victorious meal. The closing shot makes me smile too.
Osaka was a pleasant stop on our trip necessary so we could catch our cruise on the Seto Inland Sea. That whole bar would become our regular watering hole if we lived there. Kyoko is on the far right. She was a doll. Mr. Red sweater, is the one who popped out for a smoke and motioned us inside. I think he would be fun to have at a party. The last shot reminds me of the 1980 single by the Vapors. Also, too much flash on too much white skin. If we had only smuggled some sake back to the room. Thanks for reading and your thoughts Leighton. Allan
Kyoko is a woman, of course! What I was thinking?! I should have remembered that from the article I read about Yoko Ono’s once-long lost daughter. Ha, The Vapors! I can see it.
Osaka Castle looks amazing. What can be better than trolling around in beautiful environments, taking magical photos, and learning about interesting history? The castle must be even more beautiful during the spring when cherry blossoms are in full bloom. Thanks for sharing and have a good day 🙂 Aiva xx
Japan’s history is so different than that in the West. The castle would look pretty in cherry blossom and autumn leave times for sure. Maybe some day, we will time it right. Thanks for reading Aiva. Allan
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The castle is beautiful and how great to have stumbled on such a welcoming place for dinner. Those kinds of moment are what travel is all about.
LikeLiked by 1 person
We were lucky that Osaka is so walkable, as it seems that is how we rolled in those days. We always tried to pick ryokan close to the train station. Hirano Bar was a hoot. I was just hoping I was not the Japanese version of Norm. The warm sake really broke the ice, so to speak. Thanks for reading Lyssy. Allan
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Haven’t made it to Osaka yet, so lapped all this up with fresh eyes. More wonderful people encounters and images. Kyoko (red sweater?) looks like a real character. You did well emerging from the situation with a victorious meal. The closing shot makes me smile too.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Osaka was a pleasant stop on our trip necessary so we could catch our cruise on the Seto Inland Sea. That whole bar would become our regular watering hole if we lived there. Kyoko is on the far right. She was a doll. Mr. Red sweater, is the one who popped out for a smoke and motioned us inside. I think he would be fun to have at a party. The last shot reminds me of the 1980 single by the Vapors. Also, too much flash on too much white skin. If we had only smuggled some sake back to the room. Thanks for reading and your thoughts Leighton. Allan
LikeLiked by 1 person
Kyoko is a woman, of course! What I was thinking?! I should have remembered that from the article I read about Yoko Ono’s once-long lost daughter. Ha, The Vapors! I can see it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Osaka Castle looks amazing. What can be better than trolling around in beautiful environments, taking magical photos, and learning about interesting history? The castle must be even more beautiful during the spring when cherry blossoms are in full bloom. Thanks for sharing and have a good day 🙂 Aiva xx
LikeLiked by 1 person
Japan’s history is so different than that in the West. The castle would look pretty in cherry blossom and autumn leave times for sure. Maybe some day, we will time it right. Thanks for reading Aiva. Allan
LikeLiked by 1 person