Monday, October 7, 1929
Felt pretty darned good this morning, so gathered all junk into the suitcase and walked the first five miles down the road to Odowara. Clouds were not long in collecting about the hilltops but this only added to the beauty. Was great till I reached the bottom where the valley widens and there is no protection from the hot sun. Then too I was going against all my ideas of comfort by wearing a coat—this occasioned by the fact that the shoulders of my shirt had fallen to pieces.
Finished up on the car and had an hour wait at the station for a train to Kozu. While sitting on the baggage counter reading a time-table I happened to glance up and found almost everybody in the station formed in a ring about me. Couldn’t figure out why I was so flattered till I discovered that a demented young woman had parked herself at my side. She was laughing foolishly, but I didn’t relish the situation so evacuated, leaving her the sole glory of the public eye.
In Kozu I just made connections with a train to Nagoya. The hill country through which we passed was all new to me as I came by at night before. Rice and tea were the main crops. We passed by the base of Mt. Fuji. Even at a distance of only 8 miles from its summit there was still the girdle of clouds about it. Today it seemed much smaller but a very majestic sight. It is 3,778 ft. I believe, but stands on a plain that is at least 1,500 ft. above sea level.
Rode all afternoon, eating lunch and dinner from the small 15-sen boxes of flavored rice some on station platforms. Trains here do not stop for teas at each station as they do in Rügen, nor for baths and meals as they do in India. Here the stops are ½ to 1 minute long, even places like Yokohama getting only 3 or 5 minutes.
At nine we reached Nagoya, where I checked my stuff and went out to see what was doing. The city is a good size and an important manufacturing center. It also has some shipping from its harbor. The main street is long, wide, paved and well-lighted. Quite a few modern buildings are bring constructed or are finished. Shops show gay displays and are brilliant with lights. Stands on the sidewalk undertake to fill empty stomachs, repair and sell shoes, tinware, etc. Outside of the few main streets, the average thoroughfare is very narrow and flanked by low wooden structures, dimly lit and very interesting at night.
I first went out to the Nagoya Castle, but of course could not get within the walls now see much for this corner of the barracks is dark. Got back at the station in time for the 11:50 to Kobe—nice and crowded with goods, prospects of another night of sitting up.