Day 22: The Earth to Nagoya

Day 22: Toba (Ise) to Nagoya

QOTD:  How are you feeling?

Weather: maybe 70s

Pics:  The Earth at sunrise, breakfasts, lunch, a device found in almost every inn or hotel room (a humidifier?), purse baskets (also common in many restaurants), dinner and dessert

Db has a bit of a rough night with a migraine (for those of you thinking 21 days with THB non-stop is enough to give anyone a headache, you are very close to the reason; for those of you thinking 21 days of reading the blog is enough to give anyone a headache, THB thinks a little can go a long way, be careful out there in the blogosphere).

So, THB is up on his own for a view of sunrise from the observatory (no sign of E&J either, though they like to sleep in). THB gets the full Japanese breakfast, which is excellent, while J enjoys a western-style breakfast and E and DB just stare anywhere but at their plates; even the toast looks menacing. Regardless, The Earth is terrific and gets a top rating from THB.

We have tickets on the limited express train to Nagoya, made a bit more anxious than need be because we look at our itinerary book instead of our train tickets. The tickets clearly state the train leaves at 10:40, which we had double-checked for accuracy 10 days ago. Unfortunately, we forgot to update our itineraries and in the interim the double-checking had evaporated into the mist (or, more accurately, the heat) and think we might be late for the 10:20 departure.

With the extra time on the platform, THB calls Steve to see if he can cancel the night’s event, cormorant fishing, for THB and DB. Steve calls back just as THB is struggling to get off the train in Nagoya with two good size bags and a phone ring THB doesn’t recognize (having only heard it for short bursts one or two times in three weeks). Steve has worked wonders (sometimes a reservation in Japan is the same as saying you’ve put up your first born if anything goes awry…LB: that would be you, start practicing your Japanese) and E&J will be dining with the birds while THB and DB rest up for another day of art chasing tomorrow.

A very easy nice a/c ride and we’re in the massive Nagoya train station; with just one inquiry we find the Marriott entrance. We’re too early for check-in, so leave our bags and head to a two-floor food court where we decide to split up; THB and DB end up eating at a hot-pot beef and noodle soup spot where there are only three choices (we order two of them which turn out to be identical except for a few “unknown” meat balls). The soup is so hot THB starts sweating like he was at the Ise Shrine again. $33

A walkthrough of the Takashimaya food court (unbelievable, one of the thrills of visiting Japan) and an apple croquette (almost savory) and bread, and some migraine pills. $6 for the pastries, $6 for the pills.

After lunch, THB gets the news: the A’s are now enjoying the off-season. That means there is no chance for THB to see a playoff game this year, there was a chance if the A’s had moved on. Alas, still a great season, two great seasons in a row, THB was enthralled for 6 months, it doesn’t get much better than that. Opening day only 5.5 months away.

DB and THB manage naps in the afternoon and then THB does something you followers must be wondering about, right? He visits the fitness center! Quite a thrill, many pieces of equipment and only a slight hint of having to give up his shoes for generic trainers. In 2010, that was mandatory (if THB remembers correctly). THB manages 35 minutes on an elliptical, 20 of which is channel surfing through Japanese stations. THB weighs in for the first time on the trip and is here to shout: THB LOST 100 pounds!!!!!!! OOOOPS, it’s kilograms. Back to the fitness center tomorrow morning.

But first, another walk through the basement Takashimaya food court (which is so crowded that THB surmises nobody cooks at home anymore or else the Ise Shrine is somewhere in the back) and bread for tomorrow’s coffee and a “moon ball” (beignet with slight orange jelly filling) for dessert after dim sum on the 13th floor made to order food court tonight. The dim sum is similar to what we get with two big differences: the Japanese seem to use much higher quality ingredients and the dim sum has a lot more flavor in the US or China. THB votes for flavor…$40 for the dim sum with two beers (not draft, though already in the glass when it comes to the table so maybe it is not “draft” style draft beer).