September 2, 2005
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This is the volcano, Sakurajima, embraced between the Satsuma and Osumi Peninsulas that make up the southernmost part of the Island of Kyushu. It is a live volcano, and sends up clouds of volcanic ash every now and then. It used to be an island in the middle of the bay, but managed to connect itself to the land during one eruption. This picture was taken from the second floor of Aki's home in Kagoshima. This is from the Satsuma Peninsula side.
After my visit to Xavier Cathedral, I headed back towards Kagoshima's Central Station. The station building is totally new, and even has a Ferris Wheel on top.
This picture is not mine, but borrowed from the Internet. I should have taken a picture like this, but forgot. You can see the Kagoshima Central Station building, which also contains a shopping center and movie theater. There is a Starbucks on the first floor.
Please allow a minor digression here, folks. I was introduced to Starbucks in Japan, as the chain became popular after my departure from the US in 1975. Whenever I visit a Tokyo Starbucks, I am always impressed by the crisp, professional, efficient service as well as the tasty concoctions. I was very disappointed, however, when I visited a Stateside Starbucks during the summer. The place was understaffed, inefficient and slow. One girl was working the counter, and the guy who might have helped her service the long line was dawdling around in the table area cleaning up what was really not dirty. My son finally got his drink, but I had to remind the staff to make mine, as they seemed to have forgotten. When I finally did get it, it was lukewarm. I would not go back.
Ok, let's get back on the track. It was recommended that I visit a noodle shop called Komurasaki, and I did so. Here are the noodles topped with bits of pork, cabbage and scallions. The flavor of the broth was delicate, so I dumped in some ground garlic to enhance it.
After lunch, the Ferris Wheel. There are two total window cars for which everyone was lining up, but I opted for a solid car and no waiting. Total windows seemed a bit scary as well. Up we go!
Should I comment on New Orleans or not? All I can say is with Japan sitting on several earthquake producing faults is, "There but for the grace of God go I." It really reminds me to be thankful for a normal day! I am going to increase my meager store of bottled water, canned goods and rice. Early September always brings earthquake safety conciousness raising programs on NHK (That' Japan's version of the BBC.) as the anniversary of the last big one is "celebrated." Experiments were shown that tested what happens to furniture in shaken rooms, and it turns out that my bookcase to ceiling props may shake out and allow the bookcases to fall over. Bummer and double bummer. They did another test using a combination of propping the bookcases against the wall with a strip of plastic put under the lower outer edge of the furniture AND the ceiling props, and that was much better. Got the strips, now to empty the bookcases, lift said furniture, insert the strips and reload. Yuck. But I will be glad that I invested the time if the big one hits.
