The sky in Tokyo .... by Reina Ueki





Every morning I wake up to see the gloomy sky here in Tokyo. Of course, it's July - still during the "tsuyu" season in Japan. (It rains like almost every day during this season, June & early July). Rain after rain. Just like tears falling down from the sky, non-stop. What's so sad about this city? But it's not only me who misses the sun in the sky. My laundries do too. You know, in Japan we don't normally have drying machines.

I get ready for work, as fast as the bullet train passing by Mt. Fuji from Osaka to Tokyo (seriously, not exaggerating). My stockings get ripped, clothes flying all over, toast still left in the oven and my coffee still waiting in my mug....so I leave my small apartment in a mess. But I do like my apartment, or at least I am starting to like it. It's tiny I know. But it's well maintained, nicely structured, and not like that crappy apartment in Hollywood I used to live - I've had enough of that last year. Oh, the rain seems to have stopped... should I take an umbrella with me?

Running to the train station, crossing the road on red light. But I see many other do so too...everyone I see, white collars, young women my age, high school kids, and even elder people, running, running and running. What's the need to hurry? Why is time so fast here in this city? Why is everyone in a hurry all the time? What are they afraid of?

Drops of rain I feel, damn, another rainny day. Thank God I brought my umbrella. Feels dreadful though, to run in the rain.

Finally I reach the station. Millions of people overfloating. My station isn't so bad - at least I haven't seen anyone fall from the platform yet. Other stations - people fall from the platform all the time - accidently or intentionally??? I don't know. But could be intentional on such a dark morning.
Train arrives. As usual, crowded trains. overfloating. people pushing, and fighting for seats. So hot and humid inside, dying for fresh air and water. Why does it have to be like this every morning??? Feels like walking through a desert full of dried people.

I hate the mornings in Tokyo. Especially when I look up to see the gloomy sky. But other moments, there are of course, when I like about this exciting city.

To be continued................................