Yet More Trains

13112016

Not a very exciting day, we woke up early to train hop to Fukuoka, given where Tottori is in Japan its not particularly easy to get to or leave. It took us 2 transfers to get to Fukuoka, but this time it didnt cost us any extra monies.

We had a layover in a small town, whose name I dont remember, for about 45 minutes, before another 3.5 hours of train time, so we got snacks for the train.

pictured above is cornbread, and a picture out the window from our train.

We didnt take any of the super duper highspeed trains, no shinkansen, just fast trains, we got to see alot of the countryside.

We got to Fukuoka and were honestly surprised. I was expecting a somewhat sleepy small town in the south of Japan, I was wrong, its huge. Not Tokyo or Osaka big, but much bigger than I was thinking. I suppose Japanese people havent heard of Milwaukee, or Clevelend or Buffalo and those are significant 1 million plus cities that dont get movies made about them, that dont appear on world maps.

Anyways Fukuoka is cool, we got in too late to do much exploring, we checked into our hotel, and headed out to eat some ramen. Hakata style ramen is real big here. It is very thick and brothy, very porky, I personally wasnt a fan, it was ok, but too porky for me, ill stick with my lighter ramens and my spicy sesame noodles.

After that we did some research on the bar scene here. It seemed as though they have actual bars here, like where you can buy just drinks. We first hit up an urban/rock bar. It had a DJ spinning actual records, and inexpensive beer. Here i discovered I like Japanese whiskey. I ordered a whiskey-ginger, and the bartender was a little confused I was looking specifically for Japanese whiskey to try. It was so good I ordered a straight whiskey, and glass of ice, which apparently was also an interestng order to him.

After that bar we went to an African Bar, mostly because it pitched 500yn beer and foods. We got up the stairs, and there were 2 locals and a Senegalese guy. The two locals were the owners, and the kitchen was closed, but they did serve our beer, and a mixed drink for laura. we then chatted with Senegalese guy, talking about life in Japan, and of course the US election. The big takeaway from this conversation was in regards of the impact that the US voter has.

Talking with all of the people from all over the world about the US election has clarified just how big and important the US is in the world. The Senegalese guy quite literally told us that US voters ultimately decide the fate of the world. When the US is doing well, the world does well, the Senegals and Portugals and Frences do well, when the US is doing bad, the world feels it.

Regardless of your political preferences, you (American readers) have to vote. Ignoring the fact that millions of people around the globe cannot vote for their leaders, ignoring the fact that for a long time segments of American society were unable to vote, your vote counts. It may not feel like it when it comes to the President, but your vote will have an impact electing your Senators and Congresspeople and Governors. And more importantly your local leaders, your state senators, your alderman, your mayor, your state supreme courtm county treasurer, these people, they have a HUGE impact on your life, and often times these people win their seat by a few hundred votes (in a town of 500,000 like Milwaukee), thats rediculous.

And remember, if you want America to continue to be the top dog, you, you personally have a say in how that happens. Your responsibility goes beyond your friends and family, you are a global citizen, wheat farmers in Kansas may not feel like it, dockworkers in San Fransisco may not feel it, but we are cogs in the machine that is our global society. Your vote for federal elected officials defines how US policy impacts the world.

That got a little rant-y, I apologize. Talking to all these people from all over the world really impressed on me the impact the US elections have on the rest of the world, and subsequently how important my participation in civil society is.