The funny thing about riding the Shinkansen (aka the 'Bullet Train') is you CAN tell how fast you're going. I'd assumed it would be like riding on a jet where once you're up you can't feel a thing, but no. I'd be inclined to say its because of the windows. I'm sitting with mom and Spectra and this aborted exchange happened all the time during the first twenty minutes of the ride.
PERSON SITTING BY THE WINDOW: {over her shoulder} Hey, look at this.
THE TWO NOT SITTING BY THE WINDOW: {leaning toward the window} What is it?
PERSON SITTING BY THE WINDOW: {turns back to look out the window} Nevermind.
The stuff outside the window flies by so fast that by the time you recognize what you're looking at it's gone. But I don't think that's the only reason. It may be in my mind but I can FEEL it too. In my chest and in my gut. Like my body is saying, "Whoa, this is fast." The feeling is right in between nausea and exhilaration. Either way for those who're wondering, riding the Shinkansen is totally worth it.
Oh, and by the bye, we're headed for Kyoto for three days. This is the third time Spectra and I have been to Japan over the last seven years (2006 & 2012) and we've grown exponentially more comfortable here. For people who might have been hoping for lots of blog posts from Japan that's bad news. It isn't overwhelming any more. It's borderline home-y at this point, especially staying in my brother and sister-in-law's actual home. But Kyoto, like this train, will be new and I'm guessing I'll have more to say there.
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