Man, what a day! I’m tellin’ ya, being a carpenter in Minamiuonuma is like riding a rollercoaster blindfolded. So, I wake up, right? Sun’s shining, birds are chirping, and I’m thinkin’, “Today’s gonna be chill.” Ha! Spoiler alert: it wasn’t.
First off, I hit up the local coffee shop on Oaza Minamiuonuma Street. Best coffee in town, no cap. I order my usual—black coffee, no sugar. I need that jolt, ya know? But the barista, bless her heart, spills half of it on the counter. I’m like, “Dude, I need that caffeine!” But she just laughs it off. I mean, come on! I’m not here for a comedy show!
After that, I head to the job site. It’s on a street called Shiozawa. Beautiful area, man. Surrounded by mountains, and the rice fields are just stunning. But the moment I pull up, I see my crew standing around like they’re waiting for a bus. I’m like, “What’s the hold-up?” Turns out, the delivery truck with our materials got lost. Lost! In Minamiuonuma! How do you get lost here? It’s not that big!
So, I’m fuming. I start pacing like a caged lion. I mean, I had plans, man! I wanted to finish this deck today. But nope, just me and my thoughts. And let me tell ya, my thoughts are not always friendly. I’m thinkin’ about how I could’ve been chillin’ at the Naeba Ski Resort instead. Skiing, hot cocoa, the whole vibe. But no, I’m stuck here, waiting.
Finally, the truck shows up. And guess what? The driver’s a rookie. He backs up and—bam!—hits a tree. I’m standing there, mouth agape. Like, are you serious? I can’t even. So, I march over, ready to give him a piece of my mind. But then I see he’s just a kid, probably fresh outta school. I can’t be too mad, right? I mean, we’ve all been there.
Once we get the materials unloaded, things start to pick up. I’m hammering away, feeling the rhythm. There’s something about the sound of wood being shaped that just gets me. It’s like music, man. And then, outta nowhere, this old lady walks by. She’s got this huge smile, and she shouts, “You’re doing great work, young man!” I’m like, “Thanks, lady! You just made my day!”
But then, just when I think it’s all smooth sailing, I realize I forgot my measuring tape. Ugh! I’m running back to my truck, and I trip over a rock. Classic! I’m sprawled out on the ground, and I can’t help but laugh. Like, really? This is my life?
After that little fiasco, I finally get the deck done. It’s looking sharp, if I do say so myself. I’m standing there, admiring my work, when I hear this loud noise. I turn around, and it’s a bunch of kids playing soccer in the street. They’re kicking the ball around, laughing, having a blast. I can’t help but smile. It’s moments like these that remind me why I love this place.
As the sun starts to set, I pack up my tools. I’m exhausted but happy. I stroll down to the local izakaya on Oaza Minamiuonuma Street. Gotta treat myself, right? I order some sake and a plate of yakitori. Man, it hits the spot. I’m sitting there, soaking in the atmosphere, and I think, “Yeah, today was a wild ride, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything.”
So, that was my day in Minamiuonuma. Full of ups and downs, but hey, that’s life, right? Can’t wait to see what tomorrow brings!