Train ride

When we went out the other Sunday, I was glad not to forget to bring our digicam so I was able to take pics of Luke while riding on the train. When it was Luke's first time to take the train (that was last year), he got a bit scared, maybe bcoz of unfamiliar sights and sound. After that, train ride is just chicken feed.

My first train ride in Tokyo (alone) was two years ago. Geez, I was so nervous that I made sure to memorize the names of the stations to pass by before my destination. Oh, have I told you I am very poor at directions? This is the very reason why I am so afraid to get lost. Scary, eh! Luckily, I got to my destination hassle-free.

Here in Japan, the most common and convenient mode of transportation is taking the train. This country boasts of its extensive railway system ranging from the trains, platforms, schedules, stations and staff. Taking the train is the fastest way to get to your destination. That is, if you're able to get to the platform just before the door closes. Trains arrive and leave on time. And, if you happen to miss the first train, chances are, you'll not be able to catch the next train when you norikai (change/transfer) to another sen (train line). And, if you are getting all the bad luck in that day, you'll be late for your appointment or work. It happened to me many times before. And I guess I will have more of it in the future, as long as I am here.

This is the very reason why people, no matter how jampacked the train is, still try to squeeze themselves in the train. Especially during rush hour, you will see almost all people running after the train, and trying to get in even if the door is already half closed. Inside, you could hardly breathe. And if you do, you'll surely take in various scents (you're lucky if it is a good one, huh).

Here are some tips when riding the train (including some unwritten rules):

1. Make sure you know where you're going to. Do your homework first before starting your journey. This will save you time and precious yen.
2. Train fares are calculated based on distance. There are many possible ways to get to your destination, and it's but wise to choose the cheapest and fastest route. Go back to tip #1.
3. When you're not sure of the exact fare to your destination, just get the minimum fare, and adjust later. Minimum fare for subway lines is 160yen and 130yen for JR lines
4. Inside the train, always sit properly and keep your things only within your 'space'. If you don't do this, you'll have some eye brows raised on you.
5. More raised eye brows when you talk loudly as if talking to everybody. Especially so when you are speaking a foreign language. General impression is that Filipinos are loud talkers, so if you see a group talking loudly and laughing, more often they're Filipinos. Groups of junior hi schoolers are also noisy, especially on mid- and long-distance trains.
6. Talking on the phone while inside the train is also a no-no. BUT many are doing it, including me (that was when I still have a keitai (cellphone)). If you really need to use keitai, cover your mouth and lower your voice as much as possible, probably just whispering.
7. There are priority seats for the elderly, handicapped, pregnant women and those with children. If you're not one of these, avoid these seats. More often, however, I see some commuters occupying these seats, even if they see an old lady standing near them. Once, on my way home, a lady in her 40s offered me her seat when she saw me standing with difficulty as I carry Luke in one hand and a tote bag on the other. Thing is, she wasn't sitting in the priority seat nor beside me but a few feet away.
8. If possible, don't eat inside the train, especially inside tokyo metro trains. If you can't bear your hunger, just take in a few bites of something not smelly nor 'noisy'. Eating is allowed though in suburb trains.
9. Sleeping is fine as long as you do it with finesse, that is, no drooling, no loud snorr, and no going beyond your 'space'.

Ei, what about during rush hour? Well, that will be another post. Till then.