A Morning of Rain, and Choosing the Bus — 2026/5/21 (Thu) R8

May 21, 2026 09:04

Heavy rain had been forecast since early morning.

Since yesterday, I had been thinking about how to get to Dogo Onsen Hospital.

Should I go by my three-wheeled electric bicycle?Or should I take the Bethel shuttle bus and walk?

I had practiced quite a lot yesterday, and for the first time, I felt, “Maybe I can do this.”

So honestly, part of me wanted to try going by bicycle.

I prepared everything the night before.

A towel that ChatGPT reminded me not to forget.A change of clothes.Extra socks.A light jacket for when I got sweaty.

Then I packed my large backpack — the one I bought in New Zealand — with:

tea

drinks

brown rice rice balls

jelly snacks

Even though I was only going to the hospital, it felt a little like preparing for an expedition.

My raincoat is very old.I do not even remember when I bought it.

But it is oversized, so I can wear it over my backpack.It also has a hood that can be tightened.

I even prepared large men's rain pants to wear over my trousers if the rain became heavier.

Because I had prepared this much, I think the younger version of me would probably have forced myself to go by bicycle anyway.

“I practiced for this.”“It will probably be fine if I wear rain gear.”

That is how I used to think.

But this morning, around 6:25, when I went downstairs for radio exercises, light rain started falling from the sky.

At that moment, I naturally thought:

“Ah, today I’ll take the bus.”

Even I was a little surprised.

I thought I would push myself harder.I thought I would charge ahead anyway.

But the 67-year-old me quietly chose the bus.

Part of me felt disappointed.I wanted to test yesterday’s progress.

But at the same time, I think I already understood something.

Today was a combination of:

rain

hills

a hospital visit

a long trip

all at once.

So instead of asking myself, “Can I do it?”I was asking, “What is the better choice for today?”

And strangely enough, I am also looking forward to it a little.

The first shuttle bus does not stop near JA Ehime.I have to get off near Rokujiy a famous shop known for its traditional tart cakes, and then walk for about 20 to 30 minutes.

But somehow, walking through rainy Matsuyama does not feel so bad.

I have only lived in Matsuyama for a few weeks, yet the city that once felt like a tourist destination is slowly becoming a town that I walk through as part of my own life.



#MatsuyamaLife #DogoOnsenHospital#RainyDayWalk#ElectricTricycle#BethelBus#RadioExercises#LifeAt67#LivingAlone#SeniorLife#DailyLifeInJapan#BrownRiceOnigiri#RainyMatsuyama#SimpleLiving#SustainableLiving#MatsuyamaEdenNoSono#LifeAfterRetirement#SmallAdventures#HospitalVisit#DailyJournal#NotePost