<Travelogue Part 1>
Two days ago, I safely returned home. It was a short 10-day trip, but my first overseas journey since the pandemic showed how much things had changed.
At Haneda Airport, I forgot to exchange yen for dollars. I thought I could manage it at the hotel on Kauai Island, but I would later realize that this was a significant issue.
Arriving at Lihue Airport on the tropical Kauai Island, I was surprised to find almost no taxis in sight.
I had planned to take a taxi to my pre-booked hotel, but that seemed unlikely now.
I noticed that the system in place involved a limousine bus from the car rental company, which would shuttle foreign travelers to and fro.
I boarded the limousine bus, driven by a seemingly idle man, without a reservation and persuaded him to take me to the car rental company. (What a relief!)
At the "Hertz" car rental, I decided to rent a Nissan. (Little did I know this would lead to big problems!)
Driving in America means operating a left-hand drive vehicle on the right lane. The rule is to give way to the right, and you can turn right on a red light unless otherwise prohibited.
This driving system, I believe, complicates the driving experience for many Japanese people.
The Nissan car safely got us to the hotel.
At that time, I had no idea of the troubles that were yet to come...