Man, what a day! I’m tellin’ ya, being a glazier in Kurume is like riding a rollercoaster blindfolded. So, I wake up, right? Sun’s shining, birds chirping, and I’m like, “Today’s gonna be chill.” Ha! Spoiler alert: it was NOT chill.
First job was on Shinkai-dori. Nice street, but the traffic? Ugh! Cars everywhere, like they’re auditioning for a demolition derby. I’m stuck in my van, cursing under my breath. “Come on, people! It’s not rush hour, it’s rush LIFE!” Finally, I get to the site, and guess what? The glass I ordered? Wrong size. Classic! I’m like, “Did I order a window or a door?”
So, I call the supplier. Dude on the other end is like, “Sorry, mate.” Sorry? That’s it? I’m about to lose it. I mean, I’m sweating like a pig in a sauna, and this guy’s just chillin’. I hang up, and I’m fuming.
Next, I head over to the Kurume City Hall. Gotta fix a broken window there. You know, the one that looks like it’s been through a war? I get there, and the security guard is all, “You can’t go in.” I’m like, “Dude, I’m here to fix the window, not rob the place!” Finally, he lets me through, but not before giving me the stink eye.
Inside, I’m working away, and suddenly, BOOM! A loud crash. I jump like I just saw a ghost. Turns out, some kid knocked over a display. I’m laughing, but also thinking, “Man, I hope that’s not my glass!”
After that, I head to the famous Kurume Ramen street. I’m starving! I order a bowl, and it’s like heaven in a bowl. Seriously, the broth is so rich, I could swim in it. I’m slurping away, and this old lady next to me starts chatting. She’s telling me about the history of Kurume, how it’s famous for its textiles and all that jazz. I’m nodding, but all I can think is, “Lady, I just want to finish my ramen!”
Then, I get a call. It’s my buddy Kenji. He’s like, “Yo, you wanna hit up the Kurume Castle later?” I’m like, “Sure, but I gotta finish this job first.” I mean, who can resist a castle?
So, I rush back to finish up. I’m on the roof, and the view? Wow! You can see the mountains in the distance, and the river flowing through the city. It’s beautiful, but I’m also thinking, “Don’t drop the glass, don’t drop the glass!”
Finally, I wrap up the job. I’m exhausted but happy. I meet Kenji at the castle, and we’re just chilling, taking in the sights. The cherry blossoms are in full bloom, and it’s like a scene from a movie. I’m snapping pics, feeling like a tourist in my own city.
But then, outta nowhere, it starts to rain. I’m like, “Seriously?!” We dash for cover, laughing like idiots. I mean, what else can you do?
By the end of the day, I’m beat. I head home, thinking about all the craziness. Kurume, man. It’s wild, it’s beautiful, and it’s definitely never boring. I wouldn’t trade it for anything. Just another day in the life of a glazier!