Japan Story
Neither of my parents every learned to drive a car. In Japan there was really no need. Taxis were inexpensive, and my father knew just enough Japanese to communicate where we wanted to go.
"CHUT a matti, kudasai."
My favorite means of transportation in Yokohama was the rickshaw. The little chaise with big wheels and a canopy was pulled by a coolie. A four foot Japanese man took the two handles, and head down, straw hat on his head, dressed in blue pajamas, pulled us through the streets of Yokohama in style. Each rickshaw was only big enough to hold one adult, but I was small, so there was a big decision to make - to go with Daddy or Mummy?
Where did we go? I remember being pulled through Chinatown, which, to this day, is a big section of Yokohama, and a tourist attraction. It was a wonderland then for a child, with yellow and red lanterns, strange sights and smells, teeming with Asian people who were dressed differently from the Japanese and sold wonderful toys.
Japan at that time was ruled by an Emperor, who was worshipped as a god. When the royal car drove by everyone was supposed to drop to their knees, with heads down. It was not permitted to gaze on a god. I did peek once, and saw the royal children in a red car drive by. Only the deity could have a red conveyance.
There were automobiles on the streets at that time, but not many. We walked to the shops, to school, to church. I do not remember bicycles in Yokohama, although my mother rode a bicycle in Karuizawa, our summer place, and I sat behind her, feet dangling.
Mostly we travelled on trains, because they were the only means of traveling any distance. We would take day trips to Mionoshita and have tea in the beautiful tea room of the hotel, looking out on an enchanting garden, as only the Japanese can make a garden. In the lobby of the hotel was a Myna bird in a cage who greeted visitors with a low voiced
"Konitichiwa."
It was a common greeting, but I wondered how a bird could learn Japanese.
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