Hiroshima to Kyoto (travel day 3) part two

Continuing the story from my ride with Mr. Isida.

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We arrived at the last service area he was going to go by on his way and he we spent a while scouting for cars with Kyoto or near licence plates. Since the first couple who picked me up I’d also noticed that 20-30s couples were both likely to give hitchhikers rides and provided good entertainment, as quite often the girl of the two spoke pretty good English while the guy worked the car.

Akko and Kaeko (hitch no. 9)

This theory held true as these (above) were the candidates that Isida-san and I found. They were happy to take me to Kyoto as they were headed that way home, their names are Akko and Kaeko.

It was only when Mr Isida asked me about my hostel did I realise that I didn’t have any pamphlets, any phone numbers or any idea where it was. I knew I’d booked the Japan-famous K’s House in Kyoto but didn’t know a damn thing else about it.

Akko came to the rescue and using her mobile-internet not only found the right hostel but called and asked about my booking and the location. I couldn’t help but fall asleep on our evening/night drive, although I tried my best to keep talking with Akko, she made some fantastic Japanese girl squeaking/general expressive noises.

We got slightly lost once in Kyoto but we eventually found our way. That’s them dropping me off in the photo just up there. Akko is holding a red crane I managed to make on the sly. Originally I’d planned to make and give one to everyone who helped me, as it happened I didn’t manage that at all. Hm.

Another day of hectic and ambitious hitching has landed me in Kyoto successfully! Combato! (@ K’s House) http://4sq.com/abNtY7Tue Jul 27 via foursquareDave Parry
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(you have no idea how long it took me to fix the broken twitter quote html Blackbird Pie just gave me)

I stumbled into the hostel – which really felt more like a big hotel/student dorm. It was super clean but a bit impersonal with the sheer number of people milling about. Large numbers of French people in fact, but that’s neither here not there.

As I said, it was more like a hotel, in fact not only do they have a big, big lounge/common room but a kitchen, laundry room and even a bar. The bar was my first point of call. Mainly out of curiosity – I’d by this point committed myself to spending no money unnecessarily, but the bar was too fancy looking to ignore.

Remember the time I said I met some Americans? Well here they are, or rather there they were, in the bar!

Friendly Americans - no car but good conversation and quite generous. Oh, and that is a hostel bar they are in. I know, right?

At this point I was unaware that I looked ridiculously weary.  I’d spent a lot of time in cars yes, but that massive walk/long time in the service station had taken its toll and I guess I smelled? Anyway they seemed pleased to see me and impressed with my story so far. The chap on the right there wandered off to his room while I borrowed the girl’s computer for email and that.

Sunburn update: feels like someone is blow-torching the back of my neck.Tue Jul 27 via Twitter for iPhone Dave Parry
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Apparently I’d caught the sun.

He came back after a little time with a goodie-bag full of aspirin, paracetamol, anti-histamines, vitamins, protein brownies and fibre bars (god knows I needed them).

Those protein brownies are bloody, bloody delicious.

been given a Hello Kitty bag full of vitamins, analgesics and fibre/protein bars by a girl & guy I met back in Busan, people are wonderful.Tue Jul 27 via Twitter for iPhone Dave Parry
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These items formed the rest of my dinner and breakfast for the next day, meaning that as I ate the free rice at the hostel for breakfast and lunch had been provided by kind Japanese ladies, I’d managed to spend £0 on food that day. In fact accommodation was my only expense. I was an awesome traveller in my eyes at that moment. The feeling was only slightly marred by my terrifying reflection I saw when I eventually did clean myself up and go to bed.