Life in Fukuoka, Japan: Bikes, baseball and a bed

What a day I had yesterday! It is hard to believe that I did all of the things I am going to share with you in one day. Since I did get home too late to blag last night I am going to tell you about yesterday and then my day so far.

Yesterday was Friday and luckily Idid not have too many things that needed to be done at work. In fact, all I had to do was meet with our IT person to get hooked up with my account on my computer at school. Gandhali (yes I had misspelled her name in my last blog) and I had made plans to hit another Best store to find a washer/dryer and a TV. We knew there was one between my apartment and school. We headed out early and then found out that the store was not open yet. We were the first customers to enter the store for the day. We were hoping they would reward us by giving us a discount. I am sure you already know that did not happen. As we were looking around we realized that the prices were MUCH higher than the store we went to the day before. Later we found out that the store we went to the day before was an outlet store. Once we heard this news we knew we had to go back to the other store. There are several recycle stores here (used items) so we figured we should have a look before heading to the outlet store. The outlet store really did not have much of anything and I was a little apprehensive about buying second hand TVs or washers. By this time it was about noon and we had to be back at school so Gandhali could sign the final contract for er apartment, and I need to meet with Kenta to get all set up on my school computer. Time seemed to pass quickly considering that we ended up sitting around for over 90 minutes while we waited for our turns.

Once we were finished at school we had made plans to eat at a local Indian food restaurant. Gandhali is from India so I had some help selecting a vegetarian meal. I ordered the food to be medium heat. I have to say that the food was on the toasty side. Gandhali ordered her food spicy hot. I can't imagine how spicy that must have been. We talked with the owner of the restaurant and he gave us directions to go to the Best store. By now it was about 3:15. The directions had us heading out down the same road we were on, but to continue on until we can to a certain subway stop. As we were riding it seemed like the store would be around the next corner. When it wasn't down the next corner we thought we would give it five more minutes. This continued on until we saw one subway station for Tenjin. Now, I know that Tenjin is pretty far from the area we are living. I kept thinking something was not right. Gandhali asked for some help and we were pointed in the direction of the store. When we didn't find the store we once again asked for help. Yes, you guessed it…no one was giving us the exact directions because we speak English. Finally, we decided we would follow up on the last directions and then we would head back. There were some bike police nearby and we once again asked for help. This time they pointed up behind us. We were at the store. It was now 4:15 and we were supposed to be at the Hard Rock Cafe at 5:00 to meet up with the others going to the baseball game. I was beyond drained. It was so hot, sunny and humid that I was beginning to wonder if I would even make it back. Gandhali ran into the store to see if it was a retail store or an outlet store. Bummer for us, after being lost and riding for over an hour the store was a retail store. We had to head back if we had any chance of making it to the game. By now we were both soaked from the riding, sun and humidity. It is the worst feeling to be riding my bike and knowing that my clothes were soaked to the bone. Not fun. We FINALLY arrived back to the hotel at about 5:05. We had ridden our bikes in the wrong direction from where we had originally planned to go for over 2 hours. Now, I can say for sure that I would never had ridden my bike to Tenjin. I can say I did it once, but believe me it will never happen again.

It was impossible to cool down after that crazy bike ride. I had to change clothes and wipe down before heading out again. Gandhali got a call and she had to ride her bike to school to do something. I walked to the Yahoo Dome to meet the rest of our group. Once I was inside I was hoping that I would quit sweating to death, but I could not cool down. I honestly felt like steam was just coming of my face and head. It was not a pleasant experience. Gandhali arrive at our meeting place and we all headed off to the baseball game.

Fukuoka's team is the Softbank Sea Hawks. We were playing the Eagles, and I have no idea where they are from. The Yahoo Dome is very nice. The best part was when I walked in and realized it was an air conditioned building. I was finally able to cool off. The game was of course the same as baseball in the US or other countries. It was fun to see what happened during the game. There are people walking up and down the aisles trying to see Sea Hawk stuff and of course beverages. The best part of the game was during the 7th inning. Everyone began to blow up balloons. At the end of the 7th inning everyone releases their balloons. Let me back up a bit, during the 7th inning when it is getting closer to the end of that inning all of the fans begin to wave their balloons side to side and sing some song. Once the balloons were let loose then the crowd began to thin out. The Hawks were not playing their best game. We did stay until the end.

By the time I got back to the hotel it was after 11 and I was very tired from earlier biking trip. I had to pack up my suitcases because today we were going to take most of my things to the apartment. I am still staying at the hotel until early Monday morning when I begin to live in my apartment full time. It will be so nice to be able to unpack and begin to set things up.

This morning we went to school to meet the others who were going to Ikea. I found a bed that will be delivered on Monday. I was trying to find a sofa and a sleeper sofa. They did have some at Ikea, but they seemed very expensive. I am going to go to Nitori tomorrow morning to see what they have. I figure I can always take the bus to Ikea tomorrow or Tuesday if I don't find anything tomorrow. I do love Ikea and found many things for the house, although I didn't buy a lot of little stuff because my focus is first on the big stuff. We were at Ikea for over 5 hours. The bummer part is we were supposed to meet up at 1:00 to head out. I was rushing because I knew I would never be ready. Once we were checked out and arrange the delivery we had to wait for the others. We ended up waiting over an hour because there were a few issues with one couples items. Crazy.

Once back at the hotel I got all my suitcases all packed up and headed out to take them to my apartment. It was so nice being in there. I can't wait to live there full time. The day did not end there though. We then went to a store called Mr Max. It is like a Japanese Target store. I will need to go back so I can see exactly what they have. I did see a TV that I may go and get tomorrow. By now it was about 20 to 8:00. We had not eaten since breakfast It was just so busy. We had to go back to the school to get our bikes. It began to pour down rain. By the time I got back to the hotel I was soaked.

Now it is a little after 9:00, but I can hardly keep my eyes open. I have some pictures below. Enjoy. I am too tired to check my mistakes. If I have some just overlook them.