Dumb Travel Mistakes – Japan Edition
Yep, even we veteran wanderlusts can make spectacular mistakes in our travels. Vietnam? Mongolia? Thailand? Brunei? You name it, I’ve flubbed it.
And though the mistake I made in Kyoto, Japan arguably wasn’t as ughy as some of my previous dumb travel moves (e.g. that night I feverishly hugged a porcelain throne in Mongolia because I stupidly agreed to a tiny sip of FERMENTED MARE’S MILK in the Gobi – what-on-earth-was-I-thinking???). Nonetheless, in the spirit of full disclosure, my skip around the Land of the Rising Sun wasn’t without a bit of blunder.
Towit:
Not only do I always pack extra batteries for my Sony RX100 camera (a total of 3 for good measure), but also my trusty “Just Mobile” external battery pack for my Galaxy S4 phone (which otherwise seems to hold a charge for all of 3 hours – #sigh), still…
Nishiki Market © Kiwi He: https://bit.ly/2jQaceL
Suffice after my dawn trip to the (most amazing) Fushimi-Inari shrine, I headed straight to my 2nd most “gottado” Kyoto attraction: The Nishiki Market. Said to be (and proven by a bazillion YouTube videos that I lapped up like chocolate milk in my Japan research) chock full of all manner of scrumptious (and oddball) street eats.
And oh my, there certainly were plenty of those.
But alas – upon arrival at the market, not only was my phone battery dead, but I’d um, neglected to tuck the mobile charger in my rucksack for the day’s outing. And worse – my Sony camera battery was also dying (after the many pics I snapped at Fushimi Inari) and… I likewise failed to tuck an extra camera batt into my rucksack.
Did I mention – Dumb, Dumber, DUMBEST???
Needless to say, I waxed into quite the little PANIC there in front of the market, as the only thing better than tossing exotic new travel eats down my throat – is first taking a photo to document the experience for all eternity.
Now I ask you – what’s a foodie TravelnLass to do?
I could have headed back to my hostal for the precious batts of course, but… that would require two additional hops through the convoluted Japanese train system (which at that point I’d only advanced to a “C-” rating at best in mastering). Besides, I’d already gotten up at dawn to traipse a mile or three (you know, with a post-surgery iffy knee) through those countless red Fushimi tori gates… I honestly wasn’t sure I’d have the energy to make it back to the market (and traipse another couple of miles sampling eats there).
Thus, I opted for the only other solution I could think of: find a nearby Japanese electronics store and try to A. buy a new battery for my camera, else B…
No dice on a battery for my Sony camera (I mean – it’s S-O-N-Y for heaven’s sake – you MAKE them here in Japan, no?), but…
For a mere 10 bucks I was able to buy a cheapo plastic (disposable) f.i.l.m. camera.
[insert another “What-on-EARTH-was-I-thinking!” here]
lol, I haven’t shot film in *years* ( (I mean, who does these days?) And a cheapo, *disposable* plastic camera that only produces PRINTS? I mean – who are we kidding here? No way was it going to produce even moderately good pics.
Furthermore, in my desperation to leastwise hold some semblance of a c-a-m-e-r-a in my hand to take pics of all those yummy street eats – it never even occurred to me – how was I going to get the pics from a Japanese disposable camera developed… in ECUADOR?
Suffice, it wasn’t easy. But nonetheless, just yesterday I did manage to find a tiny hole-in-the-wall film developing kiosk here in El Centro, and…
Yessireee, the handful of pics turned out, um – about as abysmal as expected. All of them pretty much useless, save for illustrating the breathtaking height of stupidity that I’m able to so poignantly display here now – even with 50 countries under my gossamer travel belt.
So sorry, nary a single pic of Nishiki to share. You’ll just have to believe me when I say – Nishiki was utterly a foodie’s PARADISE! A half-dozen takoyaki (croquets of batter-fried octopus bits), a chunk of fatty salmon that verily melted in my mouth, deep-fried, breaded chocolate balls, a cupful of feathery dried bonito flakes, oh and lest we forget, that legendary (leastwise on YouTube) “Takotomago” (Quail Egg Inside an Octopus Head – yes, you heard that right):
But seriously, I did manage to otherwise keep my photographic wits about me whilst I skipped around Japan. And I DO have plenty of other pics to prove it (initially 1,400 – now edited down to 500 and counting…). So do stay tuned for more Japan tales and pics.
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About the Author
Dyanne Off-the-beaten-path travel is my passion,and I’ve always lived life “like-a-kid-in-a-candy-store” – eager to sample as many flavors as I can. Indeed, my life motto has long been: This ain’t a dress rehearsal, folks!
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Off-the-beaten-path travel is my passion, and I’ve always lived life “like a kid in a candy store” – eager to sample as many flavors as I can. Indeed, my life motto has long been:
I’ve managed never to head out with either at least one charged battery (knock on wood). Can’t say the same for SD card. Or resetting ISO. Given declining memory I’m going to make a reminder ribbon. Because of a previous almost unfortunate incident, I always keep my camera case zipped shut if I’m not moving something in or out. It should be easy to remember to verify battery, SD, and ISO with a ribbon with those 3 written on it attached to the case’s zipper pull.
Yep Bill, the ‘ol (forgot to replace the) SD card gaff. Indeed, I listed it as my #1 mistake in “My Top 10 Dumb Travel Mistakes” post back in 2013. I’ve since started writing a big “SD” on my hand to remind me to put it back in the camera – so far, it’s worked like a charm.
Those replaceable batteries are soon going to be obsolete yeah even in japan where they make the sony camera. lol
Yup, the ol’ “planned obsolescence” at play. Sadly, it’s been around since the ’50s, and for smartphones, Apple’s taken it to a whole new level (e.g. taking the lead in deliberately GLUING their batteries into the case, proprietary sockets and screws, no memory expansion slot, etc.) ensuring we HAVE to replace our precious phones every 1.5 – 2 years.
There’s also the (deliberate) OS obsolescence (though, thanks to an ingenious tech housed in a closet-sized kiosk in Dalat, Vietnam, I was able to update the OS on my long-ago iPhone for $10 – despite every other Western tech on the Planet guaranteeing that it couldn’t be done.)
But it’s not only smartphone manufacturers who are fueling this show. Apparently (Western) consumers too, don’t mind dropping another handful of c-notes (a grand?) every time a new model is unveiled, and never think twice about battery replacement, fragility of the newest glass designs, etc.
Sadder still – the issue also negatively affects the environment (e.g. mineral mining in Africa, etc.) as well as expanding the (already extensive) World-wide “digital gap” between the “haves” (that can afford to dump their fancy phone every year) and the “have-nots” (that can barely afford a cheap mobile phone to begin with).
In short – #dontgetmestarted. No laughing matter, and I might have to peck an entire post on the subject. ;(
why would they do an upgrade on your old iphone in those western high end iphone shops when they can sell you a new iphone? (just saying lol)
Precisely my point STP (i.e. *deliberate* planned obsolesence).
But AIS, it’s not just greed on the part of the manufacturers/phone shops that fuel the problem. Unfortunately, to a large extent, it’s (Western) CONSUMERS who think they *have* to own the newest version, think nothing of dropping a near grand for it, and never consider the environmental and sociological problems that result from such an (arguably, irresponsible) system. ;(
Maybe that day you were meant to relish what was going on around you, even engage in it (as we know you do so well), rather than spend any precious time recording it for posterity! Taking photographs and videos, and then curating and posting them, can become addictive. After wasting many rolls of film and a lot of time taking photographs during my first fifteen years of travelling the world, I went to the opposite extreme: I now rarely take a photograph or video with my telephone and record, instead, with my eyes. (Maybe if I had produced better photographs, I would feel differently….)
Hear! Hear! You’re oh soooo right Leslie! g-knows it’s far too easy to hide behind a camera lens (or worse, our insidious smartphones) – and miss the precious moments of being P.R.E.S.E.N.T. in our travels.
Yes, I do try my derndest to keep the digital contraptions to a minimum, and remain ever open to the beauty and people around me as I explore this incredible globe. And yes, yes – my Nishiki market experience was no doubt all the keener for the total lack of digital distraction.
That said, I dare say “moderation” has its merits. As a dodderin’ that (blissfully) traveled for decades before the www and mobile (much less smart) phones even existed, I nonetheless fully embrace all the new technos that in many ways enhance my travels. Indeed, I honestly would still be lost in a Japanese train station to this DAY – were it not for my handy NAVITIME app! 😉
And as a perpetual expat/traveler these many years, I honestly treasure my images (and this personal TL diary) – without which my dodderin’ brain might well forget much of what I’ve been privileged to see/do across 50 countries.
In short, moderation. The best of both worlds, yes?
Your “lost in a Japanese train station” hit a nerve, as that was a major problem for me when I spent time in Japan before there were smart phones, apps or signage in English in Japanese train stations. And yes, I agree about moderation..in most instances. But even walking my dog on the same forest trail every day, I miss so much that is around me if I do what is necessary to take a photograph (or get immersed in conversation with a walking partner). You, obviously, are a much more adept multi-tasker than I! I do wish that I had decipherable photographs (the many, many photographs I took while on the Serengeti Plain show nothing but dark little dots on a vast brown space) of, or at least a written diary (beyond expense records and crew flight logs) chronicling, my travels. Maybe I will take the long-ignored I-Phone passed down to me by my adult children on my next trip….But I draw the line at checking social media! 😁
Lovely chatting with you, Leslie
P.S. For future reference: A British gentleman once instructed
me that it is “Here! Here!”
Yes, always great to chat with you, Leslie. But I must say – let’s first get that silly “here vs. hear” grammar lesson out of the way: I’m surprised your “British” gentleman (of all nationalities) instructed “Here! Here!” (rather than “Hear! Hear!”) as… apparently the latter (correct) phrase actually originated in the U.K. – MP’s used/still use it to get attention in the boisterous Parliament. That one is a verb (which is how I used it) and the other (“here”) an adverb, further supports this conclusion.
lol – what can I say? As an EFL teach, I can’t help but set the English grammar record straight. 😉
Also, one other snippet in your comment jumps out at me:
“(or get immersed in conversation with a walking partner)”
EX.ACT.LY why… I oh so champion the unique benefits of traveling solo. IOW, traveling with a partner is often a distraction. Not only do you often miss many of the nuances of the place your visiting b/c you’re focused on yammering with your partner, but…
More importantly – the LOCALS of the country you’re visiting will necessarily view you quite differently. As a couple, you and your companion will tend to be seen as preoccupied/closed – and thus locals will be less likely to reach out to you with an invite to a cup of tea, a visit to their home, etc.
And finally, yes – do give that old iPhone a go on your next trip (leastwise for handy language translations and/or Japanese transit connection apps) – just make sure you keep it charged! 😉
Oh, and I agree EMPHATICALLY that perpetually checking social media (be it while traveling or at home) is a most unfortunate malady of today’s digital age at best. Indeed, imho, an insidious E.V.I.L. to every traveler that ever walked this amazing Planet!
Oh, are we spoiled now with digital cameras! I remember the days of disposable cameras and waiting to get the prints back from countless vacations which always were soooo disappointing! I do love reading about travel fails and flubs if only because they make be feel better when I’m going through one of my own. 🙂 Murphy’s Law always sneaks in somewhere, no matter how experienced and well-prepared you (think!) you are. All I can say is … you won’t do that again!
Yes Anita, hard to imagine those heady days of traveling with film (thousands of miles from home and never knowing if your pics would turn out too dark/light/blurred). I was actually surprised they even still sold disposables . But I guess there’s still a few of we traveling dimwits that fail to carry their phone charger in their rucksack. 😉
I also carry 3 batteries with me, but sometimes even when the charger shows a green light, the battery isn’t fully charged. I’ve learned to take an extra 15 seconds to pop the battery into my camera after charging to make sure it’s fully at 100% before I head out…
Good tip, James. I agree that that green light can be kind of iffy (and especially, keeping the bulky charger tightly plugged into the socket in various ‘n sundry hotel rooms, airports, etc.). Good to double-check the battery IN the camera before tossing it in my pack.
lol – ah but therein lies my personal foible: remembering to tote it in my rucksack when I venture out into the field! 😉