Erk's 2014 Pacamerican Circle

[erkpod]

At the KFC.





Downtown back alley action in Shinjuku



Some people (not me!) still have to work!

 

[erkpod]

Some of my snowball fight opponents.

 

[bass_ke]

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Some of my snowball fight opponents.

These moments are exactly why I travel!

 

[erkpod]

Even I can figure out the road is closed.



I can figure out this system.



Not sure what's going on here.



Not sure about this one except for the word No.

 

[erkpod]

I know what's going on here. Terminating platform.



I'm still in the American habit of keeping right. I'm trying to keep left then they tell me to go right...



Changing platforms like a pro



Holding on although I don't need to.



Not too congested Saturday lunchtime.

 

[erkpod]

Much better than this morning.





Go Ambos!

 

[Hvr]

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Not sure about this one except for the word No

Not sure what's going on here.


Not sure about this one except for the word No.

Looks like it shows the location of the women only carriage.

 

[erkpod]

Things I was not planning on doing this afternoon....

Witnessing a crash (3 wheeled motorcycle v light/medium truck). Nil injuries, little damage. Thankfully at low speed.

Directing traffic & protecting the scene after said accident. An ambulance (not running lights/sirens) even drove past while I was doing this & didn't stop to help.

Shovelling snow with the crew from Shinjuku fire station, Tokyo Fire Department. They were shovelling out the front of their fire station & I was watching them work. Their Station Officer after a while suggested that I give them a hand so I did.









Traveling, not touristing.

 

[amaroo]

Things I was not planning on doing this afternoon....


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Traveling, not touristing.

That's Gold!

 

[Clivem]

Traveling, not touristing.

What it should be about .......top stuff !

 

[Grooba]

Traveling, not touristing.

Priceless Erk, priceless.

 

[erkpod]

Looks like it shows the location of the women only carriage.

From memory, the women only carriages are only during the peak hours on selected lines. I was only on that train for a couple of stops so it is hard to say if there was any similar signage.

It could have also been saying no to things like improper touching.

 

[erkpod]

I now have a response from DL about my missed connection in ATL. Not sure what to make of it.

My complaint:






Delta Air Lines Customer Care Form



Message: Flight delayed leaving JFK for 90 minutes due to late arrival, re-opening the front cabin door 3 times for late arriving pax, offloading over sized cabin baggage to hold, failed APU & a broken towbar upon pushback. I can't fault (and would like to compliment) the female FA (not the CSM) in the air & the customer service lady at ATL who were sympathetic to my needs. Thankfully I have been accomodated & rebooked in ATL. I would, however, like to question the decision to be able to transfer my luggage (bags x 2) to my connecting flight in ATL to Miami but not me. If there was time to load the bags, there would have been time to load me. As mentioned earlier, the front cabin door at JFK was opened several times for pax. I need my checked luggage as I am a sleep apnea sufferer but that was not an option because the bags & I were not kept together. Thank you to the female FA who made the announcement for passengers without tight connections to remain seated to allow those with connections to deplane first. Out of her control, most of the plane in front of me stood up anyway & took their time in the aisle. Thank you also to the Captain for keeping the pax informed about the delay at JFK & progress enroute.



*************

DL's response:




Dear Erkpod



Thank you for your email regarding your recent experience from New York to Miami. On behalf of Delta Airlines, we sincerely apologize for letting you down.



As our customer, you are in the best position to point out areas that need attention. Our goal is to provide consistent and accurate information to our passengers at all times. Feedback like yours will help us improve our airport process and overall customer experience.



I can only imagine your frustration when your bags were loaded on your connecting flight without you. I can only say that the Ground staff would’ve loaded bags that were tagged to Miami as quickly as possible to avoid further delays as your New York to Atlanta flight was already a late arrival. Sometimes, this process doesn’t take as long as passengers trying to make their way through the airport to their connecting gates. I understand the staff tried to ensure you made your connecting flight but unfortunately because of the tight connection and delay you were not able to, however I am happy to learn that you were rebooked straight away without delay.



We appreciate your kind comments regarding the service received from our flight attendant and the Customer Service staff in Atlanta as well as the captain. We believe our team members are our most important assets, and I am happy to learn they exceeded your expectations.



Again, your feedback is valued and we thank you for taking the time to bring this disappointing experience to our attention.



Yours sincerely





Customer Care

Delta Air Lines

 

[cove]

Erkpod I carry 2 bags onto every flight which consist of my sleep apnea machine and lithium batteries plus my normal carry on.
You are now not allowed to put lithium batteries into the cargo hold. I have a medical letter in my carry on just in case so to speak.
Have you just brought another icey storm to Japan?

 

[erkpod]

Sunday 16 February
Day 47
Shinjuku, Tokyo.

There's a strange ball of light in the sky. Please advise me about what this strange ball of light is - haven't seen it since I've been here.

 

[erkpod]

Erkpod I carry 2 bags onto every flight which consist of my sleep apnea machine and lithium batteries plus my normal carry on.
You are now not allowed to put lithium batteries into the cargo hold. I have a medical letter in my carry on just in case so to speak.
Have you just brought another icey storm to Japan?

I've been putting it in the cabin lately & should have the mask, hose & power cord with it.

 

[erkpod]

I'm back after a 4 hour walk around the hotel area where I basically followed (totally by chance) the Odeo metro line for 4 stations.

After lunch, I walked around Shinjuku. Again without planning it, I managed to walk around a massive loop.





Passing the Shinjuku fire station, I took some photos of the fire engine & ambulance. A fireman (a different one to yesterday) offered to take my photo in front of each.





A fire chief & an engine respond to a call from Ushigome station



A fire engine at a call near Shinjuku subway station.

 

[erkpod]

Various signs

 

[erkpod]

A fireman stops traffic to allow an ambulance to leave the Ushigome fire station



Love the little non smoking guy. My hair ... not so much.



Looking in a mirror



An exclaimation mark on an electronic sign can't be good.



This minor road runs one way between midnight & midday during the morning & the opposite way between midday & midnight for the PM period. I wouldn't want to be there at 1159 or 2359!

 

[erkpod]

Many small cars can be found in Tokyo as the streets can be narrow & speeds low.



Petrol is either 159¥ or 169¥/litre. This service station is full driveway service capable.



Not all ATMs accept non Japanese cards. A good rule of thumb is to use an ATM at a 7/11 but some other ATMs do it also.



Look out for Japanese children



It's the Pol-ice!