Walking, walking, always walking...

(FYI: Pictures are at the end of this wall of text ;) )

I didn't realize just how much I didn't walk, till I came to Japan.

And now, I realize for the first time just how different it is to live without the means of transportation I had always taken for granted.

In America, no matter where I am (whether at home or on a trip), I always have a car. Always. In fact, the first time I really took a bus by myself anywhere was last summer, when I had been given a bus pass for my Amazon internship, so I figured I'd try to use it to save money.

Because, yes. Gas is SUPER expensive. Yet, it is something we can complain about, but is a necessity. Because, we just have to go on and keep driving. Right? How else would we get where we need to go?

In Japan, this is NOT the case.

Yes, for me as a student of course I don't have a car, but this is also true (or they choose not to use it!!) for so many other people I see.

Granted, the train system/bus systems here are fantastic. But, besides that (or instead of, in many cases), people just walk. A lot.

I was not used to this when I arrived. In fact, I my aunty had just bought another pair of shoes for me before I came, which I hadn't thought I'd need. But oh boy, was I wrong. I have since bought other pairs of shoes as well, because I need to switch every day/every other day at least, since my feet can't handle being in one pair of shoes for too long (no matter how comfy, it's just too much).

My feet are bruised, marked, calloused, blistered, sometimes a bit swollen, and often sore. (wow, that sounds horrible. But it kinda is, so I'm not taking a picture, thought I considered it. XD)

But, as crazy as it sounds, I am proud of these "scars" I guess you could say, and actually relish the chance I have to walk! x) In fact, I would choose that almost every time (unless it's raining and I have heavy bags with me, HAHA!). I'm even all for hiking on weekends too!! xD

Granted, living on a mountain does make my form of walking a lot more difficult than the norm, I would think. x) As in, it is constant up and down (or 上り下り, I believe it's called ^^), and even just a trip to the grocery store takes about 15-20 minutes down, then the same amount of time (or more) back up the steep hill with all my groceries. And the walk to school makes me wonder if I'll simply melt during the summer! (the weather is already beginning to be hot, and this is worrisome...)

But, I love it. I love this form of exercise. I feel my body changing shape - my pants fit me differently, I'm able to walk up hills I at first nearly died on (lol) and now can do without breathing super differently, and by timing myself I can see I'm able to walk to school a bit faster and faster as time keeps going by.

I know, in America places are farther. You can't walk everywhere, and time is often more important than any money you might have to pay on gas.

But, it makes me wonder: if we all had the choice of walking, would we?
I wonder. But, I think I definitely want to try bring SOME of this back home, since I have found that I so very much just enjoy walking. With friends of course, but by myself as well.

Also, it's not boring at all. I see something new on my walks, each and every single day. :)
Japan is teaching me that you can rush from one point to the other and get there. But, what will you have missed had you just strolled along the way?

And so! If you are interested, come stroll with me through Kobe, and see what I have seen this past month! :D

Nicest cat in Kobe! (and there are a LOT of them) 

Lol, this little guy cracks me up whenever I see him. xD 

 :P

A school I pass when I go grocery shopping~ 

 Yeah, I don't know... so funny xD

It's me! lol

I love my friend~♥

Found this temple when I took a slightly different way from home one day! And clearly, I did at the perfect time!!

 Come back! :(

 This picture had me so excited. I loved this scene - it just was so pretty.

Oh yeah, I cross two "rivers" on my way to school! ;) 

 Was distracted taking pictures, and forgot to take my normal turn. So, found this! :)

And this is all just on my normal every-day walks - just an the way to school, the store, etc!

… Okay, well I guess I agree that Japan is prettier/more interesting than most places.

But still! Walk more! Get exercise! Go green and save the earth! (^^)v