Man, what a day! I’m tellin’ ya, being a lifeguard in Arita is like riding a rollercoaster with no seatbelt. So, I roll up to the beach, right? It’s a sunny day, perfect for chillin’ by the water. Arita’s got this vibe, ya know? The streets are lined with cute little shops, and the smell of yakitori wafts through the air. I’m thinkin’, “Today’s gonna be a breeze.” Spoiler alert: it wasn’t.
First off, I’m settin’ up my station near the Arita Onsen. The waves are chill, but the crowd? Oh boy. Families everywhere, kids screamin’, and I’m just tryin’ to sip my iced coffee. I swear, if I hear one more kid yell “Mom! I’m gonna drown!” I might just lose it. Like, dude, you’re two feet from the shore. Chill!
Then, outta nowhere, this dude runs up to me. He’s all frantic, like he just saw a ghost or something. Turns out, his kid’s stuck in the water. My heart drops. I sprint to the water, and I’m like, “Where?!” He points, and I see this little guy flailin’ around. I dive in, and let me tell ya, the water was colder than my ex’s heart. I reach him, pull him up, and he’s like, “I was just tryin’ to swim!” I’m like, “Bro, you gotta learn to float first!”
After that, I’m feelin’ like a hero, right? But then, I look over, and there’s this lady on the beach, takin’ selfies with a giant inflatable flamingo. Like, who does that? I mean, Arita’s got beautiful pottery and history, and she’s all about that flamingo life. I can’t even.
So, I’m back at my post, tryin’ to catch my breath, when I see a group of teenagers on the other side of the beach. They’re blastin’ music, and it’s some weird mix of J-Pop and American rap. I’m like, “What even is this?” But then, one of ‘em starts breakdancing, and I’m lowkey impressed. I’m thinkin’, “Maybe I should join in?” But nah, I’d probably pull a muscle or something.
Then, the sun starts settin’, and Arita’s skyline is lit up. It’s beautiful, man. The streets of Arita, with their old-school charm, are just glowin’. I’m feelin’ all sentimental, like I’m in a movie or somethin’. But then, I hear a commotion. A couple of guys are arguing over a beach ball. Like, seriously? A beach ball? I’m about to step in when one of ‘em throws it, and it lands right in my face. I’m like, “Dude, really?!”
Finally, the day winds down. I’m exhausted, but I can’t help but smile. Arita’s got this magic, ya know? The streets are quiet now, and the shops are closing up. I grab some ramen from a little joint on Kameyama Street. Best decision ever. I’m slurping away, thinkin’ about how crazy today was.
So yeah, being a lifeguard in Arita? It’s wild. Full of surprises, laughter, and a bit of chaos. But I wouldn’t trade it for anything. Just another day in paradise, right?