Destination: Ground Zero

Infused with Kagome, we are ready for anything.

Tired as fuck? Veggie as fuck. Kagome.

Cuteness, as only the Japanese can muster, dangles from the steering column.

The kind that sells booze…

And smut…

We clamber back into the car, half trippig over a blind man who we were too tired and, well, blind to notice couldn’t see us. Fuck.

We start the car, and head for the highway.

Which turns out to be a Coca-Cola product.

EVIL CORPORATION ALERT!!

I learn that Japanese highways charge by distance traveled.

I explain, to Koji-San’s amazement, that highways are free in the States. But at least all the roads in Japan, highway and otherwise, are flawlessly paved and maintained. Portland streets, by comparison, are a shambles.

Japanese highways also have tall curving walls on each side designed to reduce traffic noise for the residences near which they pass. Awesome.

A nice lady shows me how to use the complimentary beverage dispenser. The complimentary beverage dispenser is awesome. But the complimentary beverages which it dispenses can be dispensed with. The hot water option is tolerable.

Koji-San examines his phone with an intensity equal only to that of one in the act of diffusing a bomb. This goes on for several minutes. We never learn why.

I pop a hundred yen coin into this machine, and attempt to win a prize for the Princess.

GREAT SUCCESS!!

In retrospect, were this tiny toy on a store shelf, no one in their right mind would actually pay a dollar for it. But because it was “won” instead of “bought,” we feel satisfied and do not question the cost to benefit ratio.

I vaguely wonder if relationships and hookers operate on the same principle before clambering back into the car, once again opening the driver’s side door and staring confusedly at the steering column for a moment before going to the passenger’s side.

And bam! On the road again.

We bust out some old Japanese music from Koji-San’s glove-box for added spice. Pop music is way less irritating when you can’t understand the lyrics very well.

Each area is known for specific specialties. This one, pears; that one roses; another for a classic story; etc. Each sells foods and sundries pertaining thereto, which is incredibly awesome.

In America, I think each region is more or less known for stripmalls and fast food. Not that I’m an expert.