Human Endurance
Part of the train ride to Tateyama is along the Tokyo Bay and at some places the distance between the train carriage and the sea is less than 500mts.
We reached Tateyama Station at 9 am. Just out of the station, we rented bicycles and set out exploring Tateyama. When you ride along the coast line, you can get lost simply by hearing the sounds of the crashing waves and looking at the open waters. Down the coastline, we reached a beach and crossed a dry creek to reach an island called Okiishima. This island turned out to be one of the most beautiful pieces of land I have ever seen. With a dense green foliage surrounded by the Pacific Blue, it is I think a perfect place for a weekend outing. I saw many families with children and toddlers enjoying a warm day on the seafront playing, fishing, building sand castles and so on. Here, in the midst of the families, I also saw a few lonely guys just sitting and staring out in the sea. I wondered what they were thinking. Were they thinking, "Is there something out there which I am missing? " Or were they thinking "How I can improve and better my life?" Or were they locals thinking "I love my home, I love Tateyama!!"
After spending some time on the island, we mounted our bicycles and were out exploring the various other sites such as the Light House. This light house is situated on top of hill from where you get a magnificent view of the sea. Needless to say it is maintained impeccably well (The Japanese way). At the bottom of the hill there is a nice little traditional restaurant, run by an old lady, which serves local delicacies. We did savor mitsumame (A sweet desert of beans and fruits). The taste still lingers when I recollect the visit.
We then rode along the flower line. This is one of the most beautiful roads in Japan. The road is along a beach which is immensely popular with wind surfers. The road is also lined with floricultural farms growing various types of flowers including lavender. The perfume of which is my favourite. Needless to say, I cannot afford to buy one of these lavender farms but on second thoughts it might be a good idea to invest and make it into a source of income in the evening of my career.
No excursion in Japan is complete without a visit to the local shrine. This alongwith a visit to the Strawberry farm was what we did on our way back to Tateyama station.
After 7 hours of Bicycling, we came back to Tateyama Station and boarded the train back to Tokyo.
On the train, I was pleased with myself that I could endure the Bicycle tour of 7 hours with no more than a little sweat on the forehead and no cramps in the calf muscles which I had expected. I was congratulating myself on this when I thought that this is nothing compared to what the people of Myanmar and China are enduring. Also my utmost respects to those who are helping fellow human beings in their times of grief and despair.
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