Man, what a day! I’m tellin’ ya, being an abrasive blaster in Kitakata is like riding a rollercoaster blindfolded. So, I wake up, right? Sun’s shining, birds are chirping, and I’m like, “Today’s gonna be chill.” Spoiler alert: it wasn’t.
First off, I hit up the local ramen shop on Kōen-dōri. You know, the one with the neon sign that’s flickering like it’s having a seizure? Yeah, that one. I’m all about that Kitakata ramen life. Slurped down a bowl like it was my last meal. Broth was rich, noodles were chewy—pure heaven. But then, I spill some on my shirt. Classic me, right? Now I’m walking around with a ramen stain like it’s a badge of honor.
After that, I head to the job site. It’s on the outskirts, near the Kitakata River. Beautiful spot, but man, the wind was wild today. I’m blasting away at this old metal structure, and the grit is flying everywhere. I’m talkin’ about a sandstorm in my face. I’m like, “Great, just what I needed.” My goggles are fogging up, and I can’t see squat.
Then, outta nowhere, this old dude walks by. He’s got a cane and a hat that looks like it’s from the 1800s. He stops, looks at me, and says, “You know, son, you’re gonna ruin your eyesight.” I’m like, “Thanks, Captain Obvious!” But then he starts telling me about the history of Kitakata. Apparently, this place was famous for its sake back in the day. I’m thinking, “Dude, I’m just trying to blast this thing, not write a history paper.” But I listen anyway.
After the old guy leaves, I’m back to work. I’m blasting away, feeling like a rockstar, when suddenly, my compressor starts acting up. It’s sputtering like it’s about to die. I’m like, “No, no, no! Not today!” I’m sweating bullets, trying to fix it. Finally, I get it running again, but not without a few choice words.
Then, I decide to take a break. I stroll down to the Kitakata City Hall area. It’s a nice spot, lots of greenery. I sit on a bench, trying to catch my breath. But then, I see this group of kids playing soccer. They’re running around, laughing, and I’m just sitting there, feeling all nostalgic. I used to play soccer back in the day. I miss those carefree times.
But then, outta nowhere, one of the kids kicks the ball right at me. It hits my leg, and I’m like, “Ouch! What the heck?” The kids start laughing, and I can’t help but chuckle too. I toss the ball back, and they cheer like I just scored a goal. It’s moments like that that make you forget the grind, ya know?
After my little break, I head back to the site. I’m blasting again, and this time, I’m in the zone. I’m feeling good, like I could take on the world. But then, I hear this loud crash. I turn around, and some guy just dropped a whole stack of metal sheets. I’m like, “Dude, what are you doing?” He just shrugs and says, “It’s all part of the job.” I can’t even.
Finally, the day wraps up. I’m exhausted but satisfied. I pack up my gear and head back to the ramen shop. I order another bowl, because why not? I sit there, slurping away, thinking about the day. Kitakata is wild, man. It’s got its quirks, its charm, and a whole lotta surprises.
As I finish my ramen, I look out the window at the streets of Kitakata. The sun’s setting, casting this golden glow over everything. I can’t help but smile. Yeah, today was a rollercoaster, but it was my rollercoaster. And I wouldn’t trade it for anything.