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Adventures in bicyling: 9-21-99 The school I am visiting now, Konan, it about forty minutes by bike. I really don’t mind- I have come to enjoy bicycling! It’s relaxing. But it’s been kind of amusing at times. The other day, I got rained on as I was riding from the school to the office after classes. It really poured! I mean, the only way I could’ve been more soaked is if I had jumped in the river! It was one of those laugh-or-cry situations, so I just laughed… and actually enjoyed riding in the rain! There is a crazy freedom in riding a bicycle in the pouring rain, wearing business attire, even! It’s like jumping into puddles when you’re a kid. The next day, I had a different difficulty with biking. I was wearing a cute pleated skirt that I had bought in Hiroshima, and now I know never to wear it again on a windy day! I was pretty much giving Ube a free show the whole way back from school. It was embarrassing but hilarious! There I was, going about two miles per hours, trying not to let the wind catch my skirt… and then it would fly up anyway, and I would have to smack one hand down on my legs to put my skirt back in order. One time, my skirt flew up, the bike swerved just as I was trying to pull my skirt back down with one hand, and I almost fell over! Instead, I kept my balance by hopping off the bike... right into a muddy puddle, so my nylons got all dirty. I must have been a real sight! I just laughed all the way home. I think my experiences here are making my more easy-going, less likely to stress out. I hope so, anyway! Maybe when my year is up, I’ll be a totally calm person… yeah, right! But I certainly am growing as I experience new challenges. This whole situation is good for me. |