Foul Laundry Mathematics: Day 17

IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN MORE DIFFICULT to smell myself while outdoors, under a bridge no less. Yet, try as I might, I could no longer keep telling myself that “dogs must live around here.” This stench was me, specifically, my clothes.

I’m a fan of numbers. When applied correctly they tend to clarify situations and help discern the next course of action. In the context of my smelly garments, the math is fairly simple. The last time I did laundry was on day 12 at Lori’s apartment. I only have 4 shirts and 2 pairs of padded riding shorts. Given that today is day 17, and that my secret super power is apparently to sweat all the time, the obvious course of action was to make today a laundry day.

Scott sneaked in for the screen shot.

After departing from our campsite-under-a-bridge, Scott and I rode an easy 20km to Okayama Station. While waiting for Dylan to make his glorious return from Shikoku, we found a coin laundry shop on a street corner near the station and put the washing machines to work. While the clothes were rolling, I managed to video chat with my beautiful fiancée Lori who is currently visiting her family in Hawaii. Since she left Japan on this trip a few days ago, I haven’t been able to text or call her whenever I want. Needless to say, the face time was a big boost.
Side-note to all you engaged or soon-to-be-engaged men out there: I highly discourage you from planning an epic adventure during your engagement if it takes you away from your future bride. It’s miserable sometimes.
While the dryer ran its cool down cycle, Dylan gallantly appeared right on time. He came bearing oranges of a mysterious origin, and also a luke-warm carton of milk which he implored us to help him finish quickly. Scott and I listened to Dylan’s tall, but probably true, tales from his island adventure as we folded clothes and consumed the milk with granola. I’ll leave the stories from Shikoku for Dylan’s upcoming summary journal entry about the excursion.

Then, it was time for the team to split once again. Dylan and Scott have been giddy to attend a concert in Kyoto ever since they realized there was a slice of hope they could make it. Our music enthusiast Scott will tell you all the details of the outing in the next few days. Although given full opportunity and encouragement to go, raves really aren’t my style. Considered a comfortable escape for some, they are too chaotic, crowded, and loud for me. Give me a quiet coffee shop, free wifi, and headphones over strobe lights and glow sticks any day. In fact I’m in such a place right now (and quite happy ^_^).

After publishing this I’ll be heading back to the capsule hotel I checked into after Dylan and Scott left. With height enough to sit up in and length to lay down easily, the capsule rental also includes access to the hotel’s baths, rest rooms, and internet terminal in the lobby. At about $22 USD, this is a welcome alternative to not showering for the 4th day in a row.

Thanks for tuning in.

~Andrew

p.s. We’ve been getting a lot of awesome comments encouraging us in this trip. We don’t talk about it much, but sometimes it can be hard to stay motivated with such a large goal. Although we try, we simply don’t always have time to stay logged-in and respond to you all. However, your comments reach us and are excellent fuel for persevering. Thanks so much.

Rider Condition:

Crash: Content in Pod No. 310
Calves: Pumped
Spock: Pumped