I basically go back and forth between the store and home every day.
On Sundays and Tuesdays, I work on writing, and sometimes I don't even leave the house.
Even though times have changed and we are able to move around in many ways, in my case, I have not been able to change my range of movement that much. I wonder if the coronavirus has stripped away the "muscles that allow me to move around."
However, one slight change that has happened recently is that I've started taking the bus once a month.
Until now, I had lived a life that had almost nothing to do with buses.
I've always been prone to motion sickness, so I had to take motion sickness medicine when going on bus trips in elementary and middle school. I would put on a magic band that was attached to my wrist with Velcro, and I would always think to myself, "Please, I'm going to help you."
What I dislike the most is that particular smell. Just smelling it makes me sick. I'm like Pavlov's Iwasu, and I get drunk so easily. Please, medicine and band, protect me more. But my wishes were in vain, and like always, about half a day of the excursion was ruined.
Those negative memories from the past tend to stick with me, so even after I became an adult I tried to stay away from buses as much as possible.
However, when I took a city bus for the first time in a while the other day, I was surprised.
It's totally fine.
I'm not sure if it's because the bus smells less and rocks less than it used to, or if I've just become less sensitive to it due to age. But it's okay.
You'll even have time to enjoy the passing scenery.
Things like, "This road is surprisingly empty," or, "A new store has opened without me noticing."
What gave me this opportunity was the relocation of my regular hair salon.
I've been getting my hair cut by the same hairdresser for 14 years since I opened my own salon, but this spring that hairdresser moved to a new location (or more accurately, re-opened).
The store was quite far from the subway station, so it was difficult to get to without taking the bus.
Buses, huh? I've never taken them into my daily life before, but I think I'll give it a try.
After all, the fact that he has understood my mental condition for 14 years is something that is extremely valuable. As I approach my late 40s, I really feel the value of maintaining good human relationships.
I made a reservation and visited the new store for the first time.
I walk to the nearest bus stop and wait for the bus. I check the bus stop information to see which line of bus I should take. I get thirsty while waiting, so I buy some tea from the vending machine.
I thought, "Oh, this is refreshing." It's a small experience, just waiting for the bus, but doing something different from my routine gives me a sense of enjoyment and tension.
The bus came, I got on, tapped my card, and got on.
Where should I sit? I guess I'll sit on the other side since it gets sunny here.
What? The bus won't move. Oh, I see. The driver can't start the bus because I can't sit down properly! Sorry to all the bus drivers.
When I sat down, the scenery was a little high. I could see far into the distance. Oh, that convenience store has been replaced by Chocozap.
That's right. Where is the bus stop I get off at? I need to check. Um, it's Iida-cho. The one after Hirata-cho. All right.
There are two stop buttons nearby, but which one should I press?
Just as I thought, "Okay, next is Iidamachi," I was defeated!
I was overtaken by the lady with permed white hair in front of me. I lost the buzzer and it's kind of annoying. I'll definitely not lose next month.
The path you walk on after getting off the bus.
This was a fresh experience for me. I passed by an old and magnificent temple. I think this area used to be a samurai residence. There was something about the town that made me feel dignified.
Temples, parks, old houses, restaurants... I'm sure I'll discover something new every time I walk around.
Just past the gate of the old mansion is the door to a new store called "This is a pen." What an interesting name.
When I opened the door, the hairdresser said, "This is a nice place."
"It really is a lovely place."
Hello, new to me, old town.
Hello, an old hairdresser at a new salon for me.
I feel like moving the hair salon will help revive some of my weakened muscles.
Thank you. I'm looking forward to our little adventure once a month.
Perhaps what we need is something that can help us loosen up rigid patterns of behavior.
