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Chapter 1 北米編 1[U.S.A and Canada]




INDEX

Jun 21 『グレイ・ハウンド バスでシスコへ』
Jun 20 『ハロー、アメリカ!』
Jun 20 『さらば、日本!』


Nov 11 1999 [Miami,Frolida] US Stayed HI-Miami Beach(4days)

I like Miami before I visited there, because I used to Miami vew on a TV program "MIAMI VICE" that was on when I was 16. That is why I was hoping to visit Miami so long time.
The hostel that I was stay was just used the location of the TV.
I saw some pictures on that The cool detectives Don Johnson and Ricardo Tabs. I wanted to drive Miami Beach with cool Ferrari.
I also went to Key West by a rent-a-car with two of my friends who and I met in Orland and have promissed to see eachother again in Miami.
The driving on the way include "The seven miles bridge" was very nice, but I drove all the way from Miami to Key West to Miami back only me, though I was little tired. But we had really fun.
There is a regret that I have lost my new cap on the way. I bought that at the CNN center in Atlanta just some days ago. I doubt a moment when we got off the car for seeing the great stars of the tip of Frolida on the half way home.
It was cool one..


Jun 20 1999 - Nov 11 1999
at The Seven Miles Bridge
Drove on the Seven Miles Bridge with Masa

Nov 10 1999 [Clearwater Beach] Frolida,US Stayed HI-ClearwaterBeach

It was really hard schedule that droped by this small beach town on the half way of from Orland to Miami. I have been planning that rent a car and drive around Frorida. But it seems little difficult that if I am only one, because it getting cost over. But, I didnt want to change the first plan to where would visit. Thus I got The Grey Hound and visited Clearwater Beach. The name was really tempting me. When I got the city, the last bus has gone. I had to get a taxi and go to a hostel where is far from the bus depot. I felt there are lot of old men in the guests who was staying the hostel. So, it was not only in the hostel, but also in the town and on the white sand beach. Next morning I was walking on the beach and felt so. At the one hour later I leaved the small town with small regret.




Nov 7 1999 [Orland] Florida,US

I have missunderstood that was be in Miami, when I got Orland International Airport. Becouse, the view of the airport likes I imagened to Miami before. I understood whole Florida is like that, thus not like other states. The character is there are lots of damps, and strong sun shine. As whole the state like a amusement park.
I checked in the HI Orland Kissme by a taxi. I dont care use any taxi, but there is no bus from the airport. The hostel seems to be for visiting the Desney land acturly. If I had a friend who is a nice girl, might go there.
I spent dull in a day because of was tired and worm with the high humidity. In the evening a Japanese boy checked in the same hostel. We got be cham each other sooner, and went to shopping, checked the Nicolas Cages new one. Next day we leaved with a promiss that meet at HI Miami.




Nov 3 1999 [Atlanta] Georgea,US Stayed HI-Atlanta

Atlanta has a useful metro line in the town. It crossed two lines at the center of the down town, and one of the tip reached the Atlanta International Airport.
I got on the train, and went to a station which is the nearest from HI-Atlanta. I couldnt check-in the hostel soonerly when I got there. Because they have a working time and rest.
I was little upset them, but went to find a cafe or something like that because I was really hungry at the time. I have understood that is why I was loosing my temper.
I met some Japanese at the hostel and talk about someThings.
There were a middle aged man one of them. He told me about his travel. He asked me where was a bascket for through the used toilet papers. But I have never heard like that by the moment.
I re-asked to him what was that? He said he used to South America, and it is impossible the papers flashing in the toilet over there. I was really hope to go to South America since I met a girl who have traveled there, at a hostel in San Francisco.
And I have met this guy here and heard some funnystories.
I have just became want to go there. I have a air-ticket for Mexico. I am sure go to South America next Mexico.

I have heard a sound like car accident at the night after everyone got sleep deeply at the dormitory. I was just having a bed that is corner of the building of the hostel. I could see outside from the window. Two police car was on the cross road.
And there was something near one of the cars. Seemed to a mortorcicle crushed the police car. Then the officers came to the rider, one of the officer shout something and getting cry hard. I imagined the police men chased the rider and wated him at the corner, but he never stop and dead. I have just stay the hostel in a few days, but I have seen that as not I need.
That is also one of the remember of the travel.




Nov 1 1999 [New Orleans] Louisiana,US Stayed HI-New Orleans

I saw a girl who looks a Japanese in the bus which was for New Orleans from Batton Rouge. Maybe she was knowing that I am a Japanese at the time. I have a reason, I was reading a guide book which writen in Japanese and very famouse in Japanese travelers. And she must has watch that from her seat which was not so far from mine. I didnt remember well which spoke to other first. Anyway, we talk some things, and started for HI - New Orleans by foot. I knew she has got mistake that she was insisting that the direction for the hostel. But I didnt care which is collect. We had enough time at the noon. She had a big back pack on her back. Looks heavy. I had just a carry bag with two rollers and a handle. I was not so hard. But she has a bigger body than me. Looks tough. Also I had a plan at the moment. There are the street car that is known by every one, famouse in New Orleans. And same place with our mistaken direction. Fainally, I told her that. She admired her fault, and we got the street car.
On the car, which looks like a small old train, we found out another Japanese guy. He also had a big back pack. He was going to same hostel as I though. We leaved our laggages in the hostel, and went to down town New Orleans.
We have fan the sofisticated sight seening place.
At a cafeteria which is writen that has nice one, on the famouse Japanese guide book, we had a cake and a cup of coffee there.
And at the evening, had raw oyster with beer checking a live music which was not Jazz, though. She is 27, other guy is 29 and I am 31. We were talking about various things with sympathy.
Since the night, the guy and I have not seen her.

Next morning, we two men visited an university for use computer for e-mail. And walk through a park and faniture shops street.
At the place we met an artist who draw interesting picture on 18th centurys old houses door or other stuff. And almost all of the pictures looks story of the good book.
At the night, we looked for Jazz bar on the famouse street, but couldnt. We enterd a strip bar and had fan the nice girls and the show. We pushed all bills in their lingeries.

I was really looking forword to check the famouse Jazz sean, but I couldnt. I may go to New Orleans some day again.
I leaved my far coat to the hostel. I need it more. Because, I am going to the south. That wouldnt good for me after more.




VIA [Batton Rouge] Louisiana,US

It was just walking for mean while during exchange the buses. I had just a few hours. I visited a musium that is small just like a house, and the name was the Powder Magazine Musium. So, the city Batton Rouge was one of the most important place in the history of the independence of U.S.A. Especially in the war. Now, the view around the musium is very peaceful. It is very hard to imagine the battlefield then. But I could do that from the pictures and the other exibits of the musium.
After the place, I ran and ran to the depot of the Gray Hound. I saw a girl who looks Japanes, though I was not sure that where she from at the time, at the small depot. She is big, looks hard, had big bag on her back and standing strictly. I was just interested in her at the moment. Anyway, we got on a same bus which was for New Orleans.




Oct 24 1999 [Houston] Texas,US stayed HI-Houston(2days)

When I got the Houstons bus depo of the Gray Hound, there were a lot of Latinos who has cafe skin, Mexican hat and they had a mount of laggages at their around. Also there are so many blacks. Though, everywhere in south part of USA like that.
The HI Huston placed unconvinient, it neccesary to use bus for get there from the city center, in quiet residential area. And looks a comon house. Also the interior was same.
I met a Japanese boy there, too. He speaks English smoothingly, and also knows Spanish a little to his surprise.
I was really interested in him. During we visited the Houston Space Center I had fun his story about his travel.
His story made me want to go to Latin America.

The exhibitions and control center of the HSC are made us fan.
We separated on the way home. I leaved Houston to New Orleans.
I hoped to stay longer with him but the city didnt atempt me, but it is bigger than Dallas-Fortworth, functional and modern.
We exchanged our e-mail address and URL.
We can keep in touch each other. 
I hope to meet him some other day anywhere in other country besides Japan.




[Waco] Texas,US
Oct 23 1999

It must really was a holyday or Sunday when I visited Fortworth and this small town. Nobody was in the center of the town.
And some families went to outside from some charches at noon.
I have used to watch big city at the time. So, I wanted to check a small town as like as that no one, who living in other state, doesnt know the name, too. I walked on a small rail ways bridge as attentioned front and behind carefully, though the rusty rails looks ruined. As humming a song of the movie " Stand by Me " was really made me feel good.




Oct 23 1999 [Fortworth] Texas,US

I am not sure but it seemed to a holiday when past through the small city. I want to say, there was really quiet in rain. It was just a walking during exchange the buses from Dallas and for Waco. I thought the town has good air, drinking cofee. Thats all.




Oct 22 1999 [Dallas] Texas,US

Dallas, the city is known of J.F.K killed. But, I missed the point. The city looks little quite. So, it seems to past the good time already. As I every time do, walk and walk around the city, and serched a library for e-mail, but I couldnt that. I didnt understand their southern blackish English, and they didnt do that me worse.
I didnt check in any hotel there, and spend over the night in the depot of the Grey Hound. And next morning, moved to next town, Fortworth by the bus.




Oct 20 1999 [Salt Lake City] Utah,US stayed HI-Salt Lake City(2days)

I met a man who's from Hungary.
We got a rent-a-car and drove around SLC for a day.
We were cought by police man on the high way.
But the police man looked us and our pass port,and he did nothing and leave us.We shouted "Yeah!"
The Hungarian whose name is "Rezso" he can make a "hot-air-baloon" inexpencively 
Are you interested in "hot-air-baloon"?




-VIA Portland,Oregon,US-




Sep 22 1999 [Vancouver] Vancouver.BC.Canada
Started studying English & home-stay(4weeks)

I entered a school at Vancouver as needed to learn to English.
But didn't get to speak English because the time is too short.
But I think It was good for me, because I met some nice guys include my host family.
And I played with my friends, I met there.
I miss them and those time.




Sep 19 1999 [LAX] California,US-NRT,Chiba,Japan Stayed (3days)

I have returned my country after the travel around U.S.A. But, the fact is for stay longer there. So, tarm of mine that I was admitted to stay in U.S.A, have done. I needed another 3 month admittion. That is why I got a ticket for Vancouver. The ticket fixed that I can stop over at 6 cities besides go to U.S.A from Japan and back to Japan from U.S.A., I have selected. I choosed
1. Japan - via Portland - Vancouver
2. Vancouver - Salt Lake City
3. S.L.C - Dallas
4. New Orleans - Atlanta
5. Atlanta - Orland
6. Miami - Mexico City.
I am really looking forword to this travel.

I have fan hot springs in Japan during staying here as short as just three days. The Japanese bathing is really excellent. And having nice meals. Beaf bowl, beaf stake, Sake, Raw Men, sweets, etc, etc. . .
I may not to eat them in Canada or U.S.A. this time, too.

I stayed my friends small room with him. We have sent e-mails together during I was in the America. He is a nice friend. He have done some things to me until now. I really count on him.
We drank with beer and wine at the night. And next noon, I leaved him to Narita International Airport for keep my roam. I may come back to Japan some day for get money next time.




Sep 19 1999 [SantaMonica] Stayed HI-Santa Monica(1day)

Santa Monica is so beautiful place. It has nice coast.
And the HI Santa Monica is very very tidy and placed the best in the other HI that I heve stayed by the time. After checked in the HI-Santa Monica went to the beatiful town out soon. The town seems to be not so big. But there are so many people who from not only citizens of L.A and other part of U.S.A, but also forigners like me in the town. I had fan the blading on the nice road which belonging the beautiful coast. There are many people who enjoying biking, jogging and blading, also many shops that selling T-shirts and that kind of for survenirs on the beach.
I really regret didnt buy something for my friends, and bought a fucking expencive blesslet for my self. But, I was really need it since I was in Canada. I have looked for it while long time. I can gave it to somebody one of my friend some day.




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

Finally, my 15 days trip was over at the Los Angeles Union Station. But my roam has not been over yet.

It was really hard and busy, but was so exciting, too. I never forget this 15 days in my life. I have been almost big towns of the USA on this trip.
Also, watched nice views from the train's window.
I like to travel by train.
I made acquaintance of so many people on the trains.
One of the men who said he killed a somebody and served his time in a gage.
He gave me some smoked salmon.Also he treated me a dinner in dining car.
I met also a man who was going to Miami. And I met him
again in other train about 10days after then.
I think there are many story in train. So,I like it!

I called to some hotels from a free call phone of the L.A Union station. I found a cheep hotel on the advetisement board. It just cost 12 doller per night. And writen that they pay the fare of the taxi for get the hotel from the station, but very far.
I couldnt beleave it because, the taxi cost 12 dollers more. The hotel will lost money, if the customer leave there after stay only one day. I was really worry but, at the end got a taxi.
It was really funny but, I leaved the hotel after pay just 12 dollers as the advertisement and they seemed to pay the taxis fare.
The room is shared dorm and very dirty. But, the public space of the around a small pool is good air. There were lot of young back packers.

I had a Japanese beaf bowl near the hotel.
And asked to a travel agency that I can get a ticket for Cuba there. They couldnt do that. They spoke Spanish each other with an officer. I felt that L.A. is like Latin America.


-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)

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]

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)

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)

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)

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)

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

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 ??

When I got Siattle Union Staition, I didnt have any reservation for accomodating. Its OK, I used to like that. I called some hotels and hostels, and asked that can I do that. But, nobody havent a bed. At the time, a Germany woman helped me kindly. She speaks English better than me, though she has a German accent. At the end we found a hostel for the night.




Aug 30 1999 [Vancouver] British Colombia, Canada Stayed Vancouver BPH

It was really nice season when I was be Vancouver.
The city surrounded of trees and modern. There is a nice big park with the down town. It likes a paradise for roller blading. I got a blades and used to play every day at the park.

I got many friends who are young Japanese and Koreans at a hostel which I stayed there. The hostel was looks as ruined but, the atmospher was not bad. Always some Agians staying there during I stayed. We used to cook some Agian dishes at the small kitchen. We had a party for some guys who would leave there.
At the moment, I met two Korean women who were traveling each other. I was not good condition for stmachaich at the time, and they cure with them traditional method. The Korean girl stinged a pin to my finger and bleeded. The pain was unbearable as forgot the stomachaich. I think they didnエt mean it though.
The hostel has a old cute Volks Wergen Beattle for carry the customers. The car carrys a surf board as sign which stood on the roof, written some letters for advertisement of the hostel.
When three my friends left there, the big guys and the baggages boarding on a small car. It looked canned foods. We said good bey with big laughing.

I entered a English school which is running by a Japanese company of conversation of forign languages, named GEOS.
They had many Japanese and Latin Americans students.

I needed English very much for make more fun my travel.
Before started the class, I had to back to Japan for some parsonal business. I have decided around USA by the AMTRACK, famous American rail ways before go to Japan.
When I leave the beautiful city, I was really looking forword to get back there. And the train started to run to Siattle on sea side of the west coast in a beautiful sunset.




Aug 6 1999 [Siattle] Washington,US
Stayed HI Seattle (2days) and the Green Tortoise Hostel (2days)

When the bus that I was boarding on took us the center of Seattle city at sunset time, I was really exciting.
The interigence high building are iluminated by the sun and electrics. The modern city looks as "This is America!" for me.
But,I had to stayed over the night in a park, because of I didnt get a bed as reached there too late night, at the first night.
I visited the Space Needle which is a land mark of the Siattle.
Also went to watching base ball game which was the Mariners and Yankees at the beautiful new studium SAFECO that has great openable roof. I saw Roger Clemens the great ace pitcher of Yankees just front of me. And, the fourth batter of Mariners, Ken Grify Jr. showed us big run!! The American base ball game is actually nice show.

The Hostelling International of Siattle placed so nice location near the Pike Place Market and the west coast. Very systematic, Clean, useful.
I stayed also another hostel the Green Toutois near the HI Siattle, looks older than HI. But, is prefered by budget travelers, I think. I like both of them.

I thought that come back to Siattle again some other time, when I leave there by the amtracks bus for Vancouver of Canada.




Aug 4 1999 [Portland] Oregon US stayed HI Portland (2days)

Portland, the capital of the Oregon is quiet place as Europe I like. Though, I was there just two days, I could walk almost towns. A festival was opened on the second day, I walked around that and leave there by a bus. I had thinking the bus took me Canada, so I didnt know there is the Washington state between Canada and Oregon. When I asked to the bus driver "What time we get Canada?" everyone laugh me. A old woman told me the truth kindly. I was really shame at the time.




Jul 30 1999 [San Francisco] California, USA Stayed The Globe Hostel

Stayed 40 days more this beautiful town. During I was there, visited the fishermans worf, china town, the golden gate bridge, etc, etc.

The Globe hostel which I stayed, is very good atmospher.
The living room has a pool was crowed people, and we talked much.
I met so many people who from vary countries of all of the world, British, Irish, Denish, Swedish, Norgian, German, French, Italian, Israeli, Chinese, Korean, Japanese and of course so many Americans. Because, SF is not only famouse for the town but also a base town of visiting the Yosemite National Park and besides. That is why gathering people every summer as holiday season.

As special, I saw JK, Jamiroquai as his free concert at the Union Squer where is center of SF on the Independence day of USA. Also had fun the X-game that is a competition of some cool sports which, skate boad, roller blades, bike, etc,etc, near the bay area some days in the summuer.

I wanted to talk about vary things with the friends and studyed English hardly. But in the end gave it up and leaved there on an early morining. And have decided return there some day.




☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆

Jun 21 1999 『グレイ・ハウンド バスでシスコへ』

L.A.のバスディーポ(長距離バスターミナル)でどこへ行こうか考えた。乗用車かバイクだったら有名なルート66で内陸へ進むというのも面白かった。けれどこの時ぼくの耳にはベガスよりもサン・フランシスコのほうが響きがよかった。なぜか直感的に昨日着いたばかりのL.A.から出ることにしたので、もう少しウェスト・コーストの気持ちのよい風を味わいたいという思いがあったのかもしれない。サン・フランシスコ行きのバスは夜行に乗ればバスで一泊して朝到着するので都合が良かった。

ハリウッド映画にもよく登場するグレイ・ハウンドの長距離バスに始めて乗った。シートは大きく皮張りでクッションもよく居心地が良い。座席は全て指定席だ。一人旅なので通路を挟んで両側に二つづつ並んだシートでは必ず知らない誰かと隣あわすことになる。バスに乗り込む時は毎回このくじ引きを味わうことになりそうだ。ぼくが窓側の指定席に座ると隣にはすごく太った黒人のおばさんが座った。いかつい顔のその人にぼくがたじろいだのがわかったのかその婦人もぼくにたいして警戒の色をその顔に浮かべていっそう話しかけづらい雰囲気になってしまった。

バスは出発するとすぐに車内灯を消してしまったのでなんとなく静かにしなければいけないような雰囲気になってあまり喋る人はいなくなった。車窓の外をオレンジ色の街路灯が流れていく。すぐにフリーウェイらしき道路に入ってスピードをあげた。若いけどがっしりとした女のドライバーがなにやらアナウンスしている。シートを倒し目を閉じてもわずかに興奮して寝付けない。 バスは途中何度か給油したりドライブインに入ったりしてその度にほとんどの乗客が降りてハンバーガーやドーナツやコーヒーを口にした。

日本でもここ最近目にするようになった『KING BURGER』が多い。グレ・ハンと契約しているのか、それともドライバーの好き好きなのかは知らない。ハンバーガーは気持ち日本のものよりも大きく見える。フライドポテトは French FriesというらしいがやはりSサイズでも日本のMくらいありそうだ。コーラはコカコーラよりもペプシを置いている店が目立つ。 コーヒーはアメリカンがない。そのかわり普通に薄いコーヒーがでてくる。ドーナツなんかは嫌になるくらい甘い。アメリカ人の体型を見れば納得のハイカロリーだ。

『××××××××?』

(???)

店員がふぉーひあ,おぁとぅご?とかなんとかっていってるけどよくわからん。たぶんタイミングからすると「こちらでお召し上がりですか?お持ち帰りですか?」っていうところだろう。 なるほどすると「For here or to go?」か。
「For here,please.」
というと、ニコリともしないが受け答えとしては正しかったようだ。
そうするとさっきのも「こちらでお召し上がりですか・・・・・」じゃなくて「食ってくの?持って帰んの?」みたいな感じか。

すべてが始めてで何をきいても何を見ても興味深く面白いことばかりだ。
ぼくの乗ったバスは、日本で見る最大の貨物トラックが子供の玩具に見えるほど長い三連結の馬鹿でかいトレーラーを次々と追い越してゆく。
まだまだ面白くなりそうだ。いつのまにかウトウトと眠りに落ちた。



Photo:at the Golden Gate Bridge

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Jun 20 1999 [Los Angeles] California, USA Stayed Miyako Inn

ロサンジェルスの空港イミグレーションでつかまった。機内で渡された入国カードに宿泊地の住所を書かずに提出したからだ。少しトラブルくらいが面白いと思っていた。なぜか中国系の係官が呼ばれてその欄に適当な住所を記入してキック アウトされた。

広大な空港を一時間もうろうろして市バスに乗れるところまで空港バスに乗る必要があることがわかってきた。旅行会話マニュアルは読んでいたけどまず誰に聞いたらよいかがわからなかった。

市バスに乗りかえたが乗り間違えたみたいだ。運転手に聞いたら通り過ぎたというがどうなんだろう? きっとぼくが想像していた高層ビルのある地区ではなくてその脇を通ったみたいだ。
慌てて飛び降りて重たい荷物を引きずって歩いた。暑い。日本よりもカラッとしているものの気温は高そうだ。とうとう公園の芝生の上にダウンした。初めての海外初日の宿も決まっていないのにどこへ行ったらよいかもわからずに公園で寝転んでいても不思議と不安は感じなかった。
真っ青なそらを仰いでいるうちにいつの間にか気持ちよくなって眠ってしまった。

気が付くと太陽がずいぶん傾いて景色がすこしオレンジがかっていたので焦った。
疲労は回復していたのでまた荷物を引きずって歩き始めた、勘を頼りに。
どうも繁華街らしきところに来たが黒人が多くなんとなく雰囲気が良くない。
デリの食い物は3、4ドルと安くてよいが今はとにかく宿だ。そのあたりのホテルに入るがボロボロのわりには30ドル以上する。治安も悪そうだ。すこし遠くに日本の旗をかかげた大きくて奇麗なホテルが見えたので行ってみたが130ドルもする。
日も傾き結構暗くなってきた。そういえばこの地区に入ってから絶えずパトカーのサイレンが鳴り響いている。日本のテレビでも世界一の犯罪都市だとか何分に一件の割合で殺人が起こるだとかっていうことを売りにした特番をやってたりしたのを思い出して恐くなってきた。

Excuse me mam!

前から歩いてきた黒人の太った婦人に訊ねると「ちょっと待って」といって今出て来た職場らしきビルに戻ってしまった。待てと言われたので彼女が戻るまでの5分ほどもそこで待っていた。ようやく戻った彼女はきっと同僚にでもきいてきたのだろう。こんなに親身になって道を教えてくれる人って日本ではみたこともなかったのですごく感動した。と同時にアメリカっていい国だなあ、と思った。単純かもしれないけれど始めて来た国の初日の印象ってとっても大事だろう。
そのビッグ・ママはリトル・トーキョーにあるというホテルへ行ってみなさい、というので場所をきくとたった今見てきた日の丸を掲げたホテルのすぐ裏だった。(しまった、あそこがリトル・トーキョーだったのか!)といまさら地図を持っていないことを悔やんだ。地図はきっと現地でフリーのものが手に入ると思っていたが、L.A.は広いのでそんなものはないのかもしれない。
すっかり日も暮れてしまったのでその馬鹿高いホテルに仕方なくチェックインした。
シャワーを浴びてエアコンを効かせた部屋のツインベッドで裸になって眠った。ぐっすりと。
なぜか(明日にはこの街から出ていこう。)そう思った。





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Jun 20 1999 [Narita] Chiba, Japan

この日ぼくは31歳にして初めて海外へ旅立った。
正直にいうと日本があまり好きになれなかった。正確には日本の社会システムと日本人の閉鎖的、排他的な性格にだ。その反面近年セックスの氾濫と文化の堕落を見てきてはっきりいってこの国にはウンザリだ。
もう結婚して子供も欲しい。なのに日本で日本人女性とごく普通の結婚をして暮らしていく自分をイメージできない。子供ができたって、親を親とも思わないような人間に育ってゆくのを生活に追われながらどうすることもできない無力な自分を感じるに違いない。

わかっている。ぼくって相当な変わり者だ。でもそれは日本での話だ。世界ではひょっとしてぼくの常識が通用するかもしれない。それを知りたい。

写真集にでてくるような美しい景色と美しい女たちがいる土地を求めて、今日ぼくは日本から出てゆく。別の視点からみればそれは日本社会に順応できない人間が排除されたということだけどそんなのぼくには関係ない。一度しかない自分の人生、好きに生きるさ!
なにが正しいかは未来が決める。

ノストラダムスの予言、『天から悪魔が落ちてくる』のはきっとこの国のような廃退した先進国に違いない。それが目にみえるかたちの大災害かどうかということは問題じゃない。ぼく自身に『なんでも降ってくればいいんだ、こんな国!』と思わせていることが問題なんだ。
1999年の七の月を前にぼくはこの国からおさらばすることにした。

本当はわかっているんだ。全ては日本でも日本人でもない、ぼくの内面の問題なんだ。
ぼくは疲れてしまっているんだ。だから癒されに行くんだ。居心地のよい場所を求めて。

とにかく昨夜飲み明かした川崎の友人宅を出てから二時間後、成田に着いたぼくはまるでお登りさんのようにそわそわしながらロサンジェルス行きボーイングへの搭乗が始るのを待った。 幼い頃からハリウッド映画で洗脳されてきた憧れの国だ。早くもぼくの耳にはロックンロールが聞こえてきたようだった。



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