440 miles on a bullet train to Okayama, my base for the next three days. Took this rural train to Kibitsu Shrine, distinguished by a cypress bark gabled roof (unusual) and a 400-year-old, 1,200-foot covered walkway between buildings (again, unusual). Here, the train driver is doing what all train drivers do in Japan: “pointing and calling” (shisa kanko) at signals, status lights, switches, etc., with white-gloved hands. This is a safety protocol.
Category: Mass Transit
Bridge to Platform
Biking with a friend, followed parts of a new light rail route, under construction. We stopped at a chain-link fence, trying to understand this elaborate structure connecting the road bridge overhead to the platform below. It looks like it’ll have stairs and elevators for pedestrians. The station is a short walk from Bde Maka Ska,…… Continue reading Bridge to Platform
Riding the Rails in Paradise
Gave my HOLO transit card a workout, 4 buses, 2 trains, expertly guided by Google Maps. Rode the first phase of the Skyline LRT which opened last year.
Early Start
Sunrise from the number 22H, heading for Lake Street.
Monthly Drug Run
Today’s the day for my monthly drug run (meds). Metro Transit does a remarkable job keeping the buses running in all kinds of weather.
Tyne and Wear Metro
Today, Prince Charles rode the Tyne and Wear Metro for two stops. So did I, but I paid for my ride, and rode it all the way to my friends’ house.
Cut and Cover
Cycled rail trails. At one point a trench was being cut to house a tunnel for the Green Line LRT extension. Once the trench is covered, this area will revert to parkland and trails.
Shout-Out for Japan Rail Passes
Posted A Shout-Out for Japan Rail Passes.
A Shout-Out for Japan Rail Passes
This coming week a FedEx envelope will arrive containing two vouchers I’ll exchange for Japan Rail (JR) Passes. In October we’ll fly into Matsuyama MYJ on the island of Shikoku, Japan, at the end of a series of flights from Minneapolis MSP. At Matsuyama’s main train station, we’ll exchange the vouchers for JR passes valid…… Continue reading A Shout-Out for Japan Rail Passes
Using a Smartphone to Bypass Lines in Spain
April 2018. Hundreds of people were lined up in heavy rain to buy tickets for Spain’s national art museum, the Prado. Some fiddled with their smartphones to alleviate their boredom as they shuffled slowly towards the entrance. They seemed unaware they could use their expensive devices to simplify their lives. I found a sheltered spot…… Continue reading Using a Smartphone to Bypass Lines in Spain