放浪記

Sep 18 1999 [Los Angeles] California, US Stayed Back Packers Paradise (1day)

　ロサンゼルス　『されど１５日間』
ロサンゼルスのユニオンステイションに到着してついに１５日間に及ぶぼくのアメリカ周遊アムトラックの旅は終わった。十五日目に乗った列車が日をまたいで実際には１６日に及んだので少し得した気分だ。
少しハードスケジュールだったけど本当に楽しめた。忘れられない１５日間になった。
アメリカの沢山の大都市と大自然を観ることができた。
列車の旅が好きだ。車内で沢山の人と出会った。
人を殺してアラスカの刑務所に入っていたという男にスモークドサーモンや酒やタバコを振る舞ってもらったり、ダイニングカーでステーキを奢ってもらった。
その同じ列車で出会った他の男性とは１０日後に別の列車の中で偶然再会してお互いにビックリした。こんな感じでアムトラックのなかではいろいろなドラマがあるから面白い。

Ｌ．Ａ．のユニオンステイションからいつものようにフリーフォンをかけて一泊わずか１２ドルというドミを見つけた。駅からは遠いようだけどタクシーを使って行けばタクシー代をホテルがもってくれるという。嘘みたいな話だ。タクシーをつかまえてその案内板のところまで連れてきて「いいか、俺はタクシー代は払わないからな！ホテルから貰ってくれよ！」と念を押してから乗り込んだ。余りにもおいしい話なので少々疑り深くなっていたんだけど、海外ではそれぐらいでちょうど良いと思う。
実際に着いたそのホテルのフロントで、駅の案内板を見てタクシーを使ってきた、といったら運転手に小切手を書いて渡していた。タクシー代は１２ドルしたのだ。ぼくが一泊で出ていったら何の儲けもないじゃないか！ まあ、これだけの衝撃を客に与えればそれはそれで良い宣伝にはなるだろうけど。それにしても・・・・・。

そのインド系のタクシードライヴァーもチェックを受け取るとニコニコして「バイ！」と去っていった。
チェックインして案内された四人部屋のドミトリーはすでに若者の三人組みが入っていたのでぼくが入ると満室になった。軽く挨拶したがテンションの上がっている彼らと遊んでいる時間はぼくにはなかった。部屋は彼らが散らかし放題にしていてとてもきれいとは言えないけど十分だ。 ダブルやシングルの部屋もあるホテルの一棟を若者むけのドミとしている経営方針らしい。 中庭にあるプールでは大はしゃぎの若者が遊んでいるし、年輩の客もその周りで微笑んでいる。 なかなか良い雰囲気だ。ユニオンステイションからは遠いけど空港からはほどない。

ホテルの近くに日本の『吉野屋』を見つけてビーフ･ボウルを食べた。 その後トラヴェルエイジェンスィーをあたってキューバ行きのチケットが買えるか聞いてみたけど無理だと言われた。一緒にいたオフィサー（警官）と彼らは皆ラテン系でスペイン語で話していたのが面白かった。


-VIA Ratton,Corolado,US(Thurough Way Bus)-

I doubted the bus reach the station of Ratton earlier than the train. On the half way, when the train came up on the hills behind of our bus, I was really worry that the train leave us. But, at the end our bus got the station earlier. I got the train which is for Los Angeles, my last ticket in this 15 days short trip. So, at the moment I was promissed that could be succeed to reaching L.A. in the 15 days.

Sep 16 1999 [Denver] Corolado,US Stayed HI-Denver/Rocky Mountain(1day)

デンヴァー　『山の上の街』
There also, the roller blades are used much. Though, there were many constructed place and hard steep slopes during the down town and the HI Rockey Mountain which I stayed. There is a big studium near the Union Station. I was woundering if there was something sport game there, but have not checked it. I had to get the next mornings train at the time. So I made a reservation for a bus. It would leave so early morning. I just washing my clothes, taking a shower, check e-mail, and sleep there. I have leaved some money for the deposit of the hostel there. As the scrumbling, I have tumbled hardly as spined 10 meters at a slope. I was bleeding but, I must reached front of the Union Station as not delay on the time of the bus leave. I got it. I didnt need to be so much hurry but as bleeding.


Via Chicago Sep 16 1999

Sep 15 1999 Via [Washington DC]

ワシントン Ｄ．Ｃ．　『ローラーブレイドでホワイトハウス訪問』
I had already some reservations for train, when got Washington D.C. So, I didnt only stay there but also had not so many time.
I asked to a tour bus company that can make it or not. The schedule not good for mine. I had only three hours, and a roller blades. I took on it and started run to the White House.
The roads still there was not good for blading but I reached The White House after checked the Capital faster than the tour bus. The gurd men who were the soldures for the MVP of the states, watch me suspiciously, though I ran around the big house; the fact, it was not so bigger than I imagined before the time.
Also visited the Jefferson Memorial, the Lincoln Memorial, the Washington Monument which was reconstructing felt sorry though, those are all famous place that sometimes apper on T.V and movies.
I must went there with enough time, becouse the city is still big. Maybe will do it next.

Sep 12 1999 [Philadelphia]
Pennsylvania,US� Stayed HI-Philadelphia/Bank street(1day)

フィラデルフィア　『リバティ・ベル』
Philadelphia. I knew just the name from the movie Philadelphia Experience. There is really place with scent of powder. A large statue impressed the arms standing in the big Union station. I slept at the bench by the sun came up, some time the guard men interrupted me though. I attached a blades and went to a place where is a HI Philadelphia there. After checked in the hostel, visited

Sep 8 1999 [New York City] New York,US Stayed Cristal's B&B(2days)

ニ・[ヨーク　シティ　『ハーレムと摩天楼』
When I stood on a street in front of the Penn station in New York first,I saw the "Empire state building". It was standing with cloud misteriously. I had seen the Big apple so much time in not only a lot of american movies, but also news programs and something like that since I was a child. I walked on the New York street as hamming the "English man in New York", and imagined the "Crocodile dandy" , "You've got a mail" etc.
I tried to get a bed for the night at the Hosteling International New York, but I couldｴnt. I gave it up soon because, I knew that nobody get the bed in the day. It is definetely neccesory that reserve it far in advance in New York. But, I didnｴt have a reservation at the time, because I donｴt like calling. If I called first, they might not understand that I need as my bad pronounciation.
But I had to get a bed for the night at the moment. Now, New York has comming so strictly. I might not sleep out side. I visited a information center and get a paper for economy hotels.
I called a hotel which is in the Hallem area known badly. But I knew the area is not so dengerous now since the new mayor comming up. And the voice that I talked on the phone, was like kindly and cheerfully. I got a bus and changed it once, then walked some blocks, at the last reached the hotel as a house looks usual as I knew the other houses in movies. A black man, looks little younger than me and handsome, came out at the entrance and invited me in the house. A black lady who is the wife of the man, wated me in the living room. She named Cristal as the name of the hotel. They introduced me a Japnese girl. I really wondered that a Japanese girl living in the Hallem.
I am not sure but, she was studying something in New York.
Anyway, I remember just that our life looks so different eachother. I visited almost areas of New York City in the slight days. Saw a festival in the Little Italy, walked on the Central Park, Soho, Wall street, and watching a base ball game which was the Yankees and Redsｴs one, but I got the ticket very hardly.
I think if hope to get the property information of New York, should be there for at least a year. So, I might return there some day.

Sep 6 1999 [Bufferlow] New York,US Stayed HI Bufferlow (2days)

バッファロウ　『地球のヘソ』
I met some Japaneses here. They were traveling by each them self. I think the meeting was as there is a famous great fall there.
Of course the fall is the Niagara.
When I visited the Naiagara falls and got on the Lanch, my body was be wetted completely but I weared a poncho which included the boatｴs fare. But it was really nice experience. I didn't beleave that my conpanies haven't done it.
I met also a old couple who are Japaneses near the fall.
We told about somethings into a bus terminal and a bus for downtown Bufferlow. They already retired them jobs, and traveling. I beleave they have good life.

The down town Bufferlow looks old and quiet, but I like the atmospher. I could watch whole the city at the most high place where is the highest floor of the city hall.
I didnｴt know that there is also that city in New York.

Sep 4 1999 [Chicago] US Stayed HI Chicago Summer Hostel (1day)

シカゴ　『アンタッチャブル』
I met a Japanese boy who were boarding the AMTRACK bound for Chicago too. We picked our laggages up and watch the step which selected the location in a famouse seen of the movie "The Untouchable" together. Before I checked it, asked to a woman who working in the information counter, where is the steps. But she didnt know that. I beleave it was not my pronounciation of English fault. I also asked to others, but no one have knew that. I think the fact is the Chicago Union Station used to be a lot of movies. That is why they don't remember which one done.
The Japanese boy and I walked to the Chicago summer hostel together. The hostel opened only during summer as the name.
The fact is the building is used for the dorms of a University except in summer season. So, it clean, and useful for us travelers. We shared a room and went out.
We visited a observatory of the Sears Tower. I watched the orange twinkles on the ground. I hoped to watch it in the daylight. It must be better than in the night besides hot lovers.
Next morning the Japanese boy leaved before I woke up, leaved some messages that writen thanks and nice to met me or something like that.

I run around Chicago down town with a roller blades speedy.
The down town was very quiet as the Labor day. I remembered some gang star movies. When I was young, I would be a gang.
The next went to a zoo. It was prohibited the blading in the zoo though. I through the coast of michigan lake, looks sea, big, has waves and winds. There were many people playing blades.
At the last of the day, I visited the Field Musium which has heap exhibits and large floors. I didnt checked all those up for two or three hours.

Sep 3 1999 On the AMTRACK

アムトラック　『世界の車窓から』
The train which I was boarding leaved Siattle ran belong the beautiful coast slowly and slowly.
In the noon we were on the mountain. In the evening we saw a great huge pastures in the prairies that extend still the horizon. I have knew that they have considerable cattles.
The living on the train was not bad. The chair lay down enogh, the bufe served nice dinner, moviem, snack etc.etc.
The smoking car likes prisons though. I met some nice guys in the smoking room. One of them said living in Alaska and he have spend so long time in a prison as killig a man. He treated me a stake dinner in the bufe, and gave us nice smoked salmon.

Sep 2 1999 [Seattle] Washington, US Stayed BPH ??

シアトル　『たったの１５日間でどこまで行けるか』
ヴァンクーヴァーで約一ヶ月を過ごし英会話学校の申し込みをしたぼくは入学までの時間をアメリカ周遊に充てることにした。そしてここシアトルへと戻ってきたのだ。シアトルユニオンステイションに着いたときぼくはフリーフォンで二軒のホステルに空きベッドがないと言われて困窮した。ヴァンクーヴァーからの列車内で向かいのボックス席に座っていたブロンドのショートヘアがぼくの拙い英語を聞いて心配したのかぼくの代わりに他のホステルに電話して部屋を探してくれた。乗り合わせたときからその美人をよく覚えていた。彼女はニコンのごつい一眼レフを握り締めて車窓を流れる美しいウェストコーストの夕景の写真を撮っていた。
彼女の英語はネイティヴのそれでないことはぼくにもわかったがぼくのインチキなものとは比較にならないくらい流暢といえた。やさしくしてくれる彼女を見ながら（美しい女だ）と改めて思いながら「美しい英語ですね」と言うと「そんなに上手くないわ、私もドイツ人だし。」と照れて言った。ぼくを見ていて、自分が始めて外国を旅行したときのことを思い出したのかもしれない、そしてその時彼女も昔見知らぬ旅行者に助けられた、そんな気がした。
ぼくも英語が上手くなったらいつかこんな風に誰かを手助けできるかもしれない、そう思った。
彼女は自分はカメラマンだと言った。ほとんど話もできないうちに彼女が呼んでくれたホステルの迎えが来てぼくらは別れた。「Ｔｈａｎｋ　ｙｏｕ　ｓｏ　ｍｕｃｈ！」としか言えなかった。（今夜は君と一緒にいたかった！）って言いたかったんだけど。。。

翌日１５日間のフリーパスを買いスタートするために一泊だけしたその山の手にある小さなホステルの名前や場所などについては記録していなくてわからない。白塗りでごく普通の一軒家という風情だった。
その日観光もほとんどしないでシアトルのユニオンステイションから出発したアムトラックの列車は緩やかなシアトルの海岸線をゆっくりと進んだ。まずはシカゴまで行こう。
シカゴまでは長い。車内で一泊することになる。寝台ではなくシートをリクライニングして寝ることになるがなんとなく楽しみだ。車内は一見アメリカ人ばかりでまるで憧れのＴＶ番組『世界の車窓から』みたいだ。線路と海の距離は手が届くほどなのに防波堤のようなものは何もない。ここの海は一年を通してよほど静かなんだろう。必ずと言ってよいほど台風が来るし冬は冬で波の荒れる日本では考えられない景色だ。
シアトルのダウンタウンの高層ビルや一月前にぼくを熱狂させたあのマリナーズの本拠地セイフコ・スタディアムの巨大な屋根が遠ざかってゆく。この先この車窓からぼくはアメリカのどんな景色を楽しむことができるのだろう。１０分番組の『世界の車窓から』を１５日間連続で観てるようなものだと考えるとすごい。しかも今ぼくはその画面の中にいるんだ。おおらかなアメリカ人たちに話しかければきっと楽しいだろうな。
大きくて居心地の良いフカフカなシートに沈み込んでそんなことを夢想しながら去りゆくシアトルを眺めていた。