One, I'm leaving Hokkaido in just about four hours.
Two, I cannot make up my mind what to eat for my last meal here this morning.
Three, the sun has come out after taking a break from work yesterday.
It is indeed such a beautiful day. Sun's out, yet the breeze lingers on. Perfect for a walk.
I do need a walk after all. I have already scooted out from the room (because I have to), and chucked my luggage at the storage. Since I can't decide what to eat, I shall take a walk around and see what might interest me.
I should have a good two hours before I need to jump on the train to the airport.
Lovely day. The sheer activity along the streets tells me it is a lovely day.
I suddenly remember some place I have yet to see. And that almost immediately gives me an idea how I will spend the next two hours.
I will do a lovely breakfast picnic at the Odori Park. So I pop in quickly at the food market and grab something. Well, which of course can't be all that quick if there is so much around to tempt me. Finally, I settle on yet another pretty bento box.
Sweet.
There seem to be quite some festivals and activities going on. A kiddo dance competition taking place at the main station tower, which I would surely love to watch but I really can't. Some open house at some government house with a lovely lake, someone's painting by the water.
Then, there's the famous Sapporo Autumn Festival, which I think I am actually in time to miss.
Shite.
I probably will never be able to tell what exactly makes a park so fascinating that people flock to it. Not the fountain, I hope? Maybe to the kids, yeah.
But I think what does make a park fascinating to me is the people you see, the things that happen.
Kids, babies, dogs, old folks, young couples, cyclists - you name it, you get it.
Maybe the greenery makes me feel very happy too.
A perfect spot to just sit and literally watch the world go by. I just got to find some nice tree for some shade first.
I find my perfect spot under huge canopies, and right next to the thrash bin. But that's fine, because at least I know it's there. You might not know, but it is such a bother to me having to thrash something in Japan.
It is actually such fine weather, I think I might have gotten a little flush in my face walking to the park. I need to remove my cardigan.
Which I quickly put back on after a mere few minutes.
I set my bento box on my lap and am ready to tuck in. Mmm. Mmm. MMM.
I check out the benches to my left and right. Ah, a couple of ladies are having a nice breakfast (or, is it their early lunch?) as well to my right. What a nice change from Starbucks.
Pigeon is hounding them. Lady hesitates to offer any food. You know what that does to a pigeon. Right, he will next summon all his friends over for some free meal.
Nice move, lady.
I am barely halfway through my own breakfast, when I notice Pigeon has given up on the ladies and hopped over to hound me instead.
For a split moment, I think I see Piper.
Oh, what a pesky fella this one is. Not quite giving up on me. None of my yummy rice for you, sucker.
I cannot be bothered with Pigeon, because I am too caught up admiring every single bit of my bento box. But all of a sudden, I realize he's gone.
I look up, and look around... Ah! There the dude is... with all his friends now.
Some uncle has decided to make friends with them.
Nice guy.
Oh by the way, I am so newly in love with the onsen tamago.
It's that egg with the hard-boiled white and soft-boiled, almost raw yolk. I have never had that outside of Japan.
How the hell they make that, I've been puzzling over the past couple of days since I first had it in my other bento box.
*****
I'm finally done with my time in Sapporo, and on my way to the airport.
*Sniffles*
I am amazed with the New Chitose Airport of Sapporo.
So many things to buy. So many people hanging out there. I think it's more of a shopping mall than anything else.
I am also very impressed with the ANA staff at the New Chitose Airport.
Especially the dude who serves me.
Because he speaks perfect American-English (what the hell is he doing at the check-in counter?). And he is so, so, so, so cute.
*****
I managed to jump on a much earlier flight from Sapporo, since I had grossly miscalculated the timing and ended up arriving so early at the airport for my domestic flight.
Cute-san looked a tad frustrated, trying to change my flight. But I might as well have done that on purpose anyway because he looks much cuter with his furrowed brows.
Anyway, it's about four hours later, and I am back in Tokyo, lugging my bags to the hotel.
Almost losing sensation in my legs, but actually feeling lots of love in my heart.
I am being so tired and lazy, I almost got stuck in the room - all thanks to some hilarious dance show on TV.
But it's getting late. I think it's almost 7. I should get out, take a walk, feel the vibes, and get some food.
This is my second time staying in Ikebukuro, but I have never really once explored the place. I do know my way really well between the hotel and the subway though.
Well, this place is full of life!
Which lead me to pondering a little: if there are thousands of people (maybe tens of thousands?)here in Ikebukuro on a Saturday night, how many thousands of folks are there in Shinjuku and Shibuya and Harajuku and other areas and how many are actually at home watching TV?
I'm glad I came out.
I actually do think I should explore the food in Ikebukuro.
But I am really clueless, where to go, what to eat. I put that down to my exhaustion. I think half my brain has gone to bed.
So I will just grab some yakitoris at one of those izakayas near the hotel.
The two, or three, beers I have should tuck me in really nicely tonight.
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