(Part 2)Trip report from a Japanese reader
Sep 4th, 2008, 08:38 PM
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(Part 2)Trip report from a Japanese reader
Following my previous trip, I would like to present trip report part 2.
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...t=0&dirtyBit=1
This time, I visited Missouri State between August 10th and 14th 2008. No need to say, the Mississippi river and the Missouri river played an important role in the history of the development of the US. My purpose is to visit St Louis as confluence point of the two big rivers, and Independence as the starting point of the covered wagons that traveled in 1800s through the famous trails, Santa Fe Trail, Oregon Trail, and California Trail. Another highlight of this trip was crossing travel by Amtrak. I would like to demystify why there are two cities; Kansas City (MO and KS) located in both shores on the Missouri, and St Louis (MO and IL) located in both shores on the Mississippi.
Kansas City and Independence
Day 1, I wanted to see the largest city Missouri State before going to Independence. Kansas City I visited is located in MO, that has the typical row of buildings appeared in the western movie, I was only one who strolled the main street in the hot sunlight of summer. After walking one hour, I reached Union Station to take lunch at Harvey House Diner. I was satisfied with Blackened Chicken Sandwich which was more delicious than one I ate in New Orleans during my previous trip.
http://www.unionstation.org/restaurants.cfm
I arrived at Woodstock Inn ($98 per night). http://www.independence-missouri.com/home.htm
I was very lucky that it was located in a quiet environment with a lot of trees on the opposite side of Mormon religious facilities though I chose the inn on the net at random. In addition, I was surrounded by a family atmosphere among open-hearted inn owner and clerk.
http://www.cofchrist.org/visit/ http://www.lds.org/placestovisit/loc...-1-1-1,00.html
http://www.theremnantchurch.com/
Day 2, I visited National Frontier Trails Museum which was one of main purposes of this trip and took lunch at Rheinland Restaurant where I enjoyed Reuben Sandwiches.
http://www.ci.independence.mo.us/nftm/ http://www.rheinlandrestaurant.com/lunch-menu.html
I was given a precious by-product unexpectedly afternoon when I dropped in to listen to Organ Recital at the Auditorium of Community of Christ which was held at 3 pm every day. During a 30-minute performance, I felt deeply my gratitude that I was able to live happily for 64 years looking back on my life like the shadow-picture lantern. It seemed that the solemnity surrounded by other pious audiences gave me a sort of religious mind though I am not a believer of this belief.
Amtrak travel between Independence and St. Louis
To choose transportation mode of distance, 273 miles (437 km) between Kansas City on the most western edge to St. Louis on the most eastern edge, at first, I thought of airplane that takes four hours due to an indirect flight via Chicago, but finally, I decided to take an Amtrak train that takes five hours. To make a long story short, I remind you that I overcame a hard trouble to reserve a ticket from Japan, but a kind clerk in the headquarters eventually arranged to issue a ticket.
Day 3, I waited for a 7:49 train at Independence Station which was an unmanned station with other 10 passengers. http://www.trainweb.org/usarail/independence.htm
I was somewhat restless for a moment because it was the first time to me to take a train in the US. The train stopped with a nostalgic horn which was peculiar to Amtrak. Passengers got on the half-occupied train by usher of a female conductor who would notify each passenger where to get off later. A five-hour travel was not boring because in the first half part we passed meadows with many pastures and in the later half after Jefferson City we ran along the Missouri.
St. Louis
As the famous Gateway Arch came into my view from the window of train, I noticed that we approached the destination finally. Because the original Spanish-style station was remodeled to Union Station with a shopping mall, and new station was under construction we walked through the railway track-beds to a center street.
http://www.stlouisunionstation.com/
Getting around St. Louis by the public transportation was very easy if we purchase a Metro pass which was effective to train and bus. I walked to the hotel for one hour until I found out that #11 bus runs on the same route in 10 minutes. http://www.ichotelsgroup.com/h/d/ex/...s-_-ex-_-stljf
I was lucky again to find that Holiday Inn Express ($110 per night) was located in residential area next to Lafayette Park, an oasis in downtown. I took a dinner of Salmon BLT at Squire One Brewery which was in a 10-minute walk area. http://www.squareonebrewery.com/
Day 4, My assignment this day was to confirm the confluence point of the two rivers; the Missouri and the Mississippi with my eyes. If possible, I would go to Jones-Confluence Point State Park.
http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msa=0...eeb445b8deb06c
It is said that two large rivers run along together for 20 miles until they become unified as one river. At first, I went to East Riverfront Station (Illinois side) by Metro Train and returned to Missouri side walking on Eads Bridge which was built in 1874 with length of 6,400 ft. I was somewhat sentimental to realize that the west-bound wagon trains were ferried until this bridge was completed. From the end of the bridge I strolled through the rich green forest on the riverbank to Jefferson National Expansion Museum to try viewing the scene from 630-ft Gateway Arch. http://www.nps.gov/jeff/ To my regret, the confluence point was not seen due to the direction where the arch was set up. On the busiest street, Washington Ave, I dropped in Metro Customer Information Center and found that the approach was very hard to walk 6 miles after transferring the bus twice. ( For the moment, I had to gave up the plan. After all, I was relieved to glimpse the confluence from the window of my return-flight next day.) Among many restaurants on the main street, I was attracted with the green signboard put on the corner of 11th street. I took late lunch at an outside table under the shade of a tree. McMurphy Grill was a gem where I encountered the most delicious dish in my two trips; Corn Beef Sandwiches.
http://www.stpatrickcenter.org/NewsD...0-983517683794
I will never forget a thin-salty taste which was neatly cooked. After lunch I reluctantly returned to the hotel by train and bus because it was convenient to listen to live Jazz if I reserved a hotel on the Washington Ave. I decided that this is the next enjoyment. In my hotel room, I had a little celebration of successful travel taking the last dinner with leftover Corn Beef Sandwiches and Chinese food that I bought at a deli. Let’s drink a toast to end of my trip !
I would like to itemize my impression about this trip, allow me to change some of my previous impressions.
1.Polished Manner (part 2): Westerners including Americans have a nice habit that we should adopt sooner to become a global citizen; verbal greeting, ’Good morning’ exchanged among strangers in public space, such as in elevator, on the road and so on. We bow to strangers without word due to our shyness, but I believe that verbal greeting is effective to confirm a friend or foe in a sense.
2. Different Culture; I am often confused with difference between our goodness-oriented society and Western wickedness-oriented society. For example, I am disappointed to find that a second-hand CD which was bought in a famous shopping mall in St Louis was empty without disc. I was looking forward to listening to Charlie Parker who had a deep connection with Kansas City. It was my fault that I neglected to check the content at the shop, but we do not have such a habit because we do not need to do in Japan. In addition, I am surprised that the complaint processing system has been established firmly.
http://us.bbb.org/WWWRoot/SitePage.a...e-bd452a591b91
I am waiting for the answer from the shop until Sept 2 after registry my complaint in BBB because its email address was not published, but I regretfully to tell you that I have no answer by now.
3. Solved Food Problem; I happily to tell you that food problem was solved. I surely made a half portion To Go to eat other time and I bought side dish, such as vegetable salads at deli. After all, I was able to have a nutritional balanced food for 5 dollar or something, it was revolutionary improvement compared with previous experience.
I enjoyed fully a momentary American life due to your useful information. Thank you, see you again !
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...t=0&dirtyBit=1
This time, I visited Missouri State between August 10th and 14th 2008. No need to say, the Mississippi river and the Missouri river played an important role in the history of the development of the US. My purpose is to visit St Louis as confluence point of the two big rivers, and Independence as the starting point of the covered wagons that traveled in 1800s through the famous trails, Santa Fe Trail, Oregon Trail, and California Trail. Another highlight of this trip was crossing travel by Amtrak. I would like to demystify why there are two cities; Kansas City (MO and KS) located in both shores on the Missouri, and St Louis (MO and IL) located in both shores on the Mississippi.
Kansas City and Independence
Day 1, I wanted to see the largest city Missouri State before going to Independence. Kansas City I visited is located in MO, that has the typical row of buildings appeared in the western movie, I was only one who strolled the main street in the hot sunlight of summer. After walking one hour, I reached Union Station to take lunch at Harvey House Diner. I was satisfied with Blackened Chicken Sandwich which was more delicious than one I ate in New Orleans during my previous trip.
http://www.unionstation.org/restaurants.cfm
I arrived at Woodstock Inn ($98 per night). http://www.independence-missouri.com/home.htm
I was very lucky that it was located in a quiet environment with a lot of trees on the opposite side of Mormon religious facilities though I chose the inn on the net at random. In addition, I was surrounded by a family atmosphere among open-hearted inn owner and clerk.
http://www.cofchrist.org/visit/ http://www.lds.org/placestovisit/loc...-1-1-1,00.html
http://www.theremnantchurch.com/
Day 2, I visited National Frontier Trails Museum which was one of main purposes of this trip and took lunch at Rheinland Restaurant where I enjoyed Reuben Sandwiches.
http://www.ci.independence.mo.us/nftm/ http://www.rheinlandrestaurant.com/lunch-menu.html
I was given a precious by-product unexpectedly afternoon when I dropped in to listen to Organ Recital at the Auditorium of Community of Christ which was held at 3 pm every day. During a 30-minute performance, I felt deeply my gratitude that I was able to live happily for 64 years looking back on my life like the shadow-picture lantern. It seemed that the solemnity surrounded by other pious audiences gave me a sort of religious mind though I am not a believer of this belief.
Amtrak travel between Independence and St. Louis
To choose transportation mode of distance, 273 miles (437 km) between Kansas City on the most western edge to St. Louis on the most eastern edge, at first, I thought of airplane that takes four hours due to an indirect flight via Chicago, but finally, I decided to take an Amtrak train that takes five hours. To make a long story short, I remind you that I overcame a hard trouble to reserve a ticket from Japan, but a kind clerk in the headquarters eventually arranged to issue a ticket.
Day 3, I waited for a 7:49 train at Independence Station which was an unmanned station with other 10 passengers. http://www.trainweb.org/usarail/independence.htm
I was somewhat restless for a moment because it was the first time to me to take a train in the US. The train stopped with a nostalgic horn which was peculiar to Amtrak. Passengers got on the half-occupied train by usher of a female conductor who would notify each passenger where to get off later. A five-hour travel was not boring because in the first half part we passed meadows with many pastures and in the later half after Jefferson City we ran along the Missouri.
St. Louis
As the famous Gateway Arch came into my view from the window of train, I noticed that we approached the destination finally. Because the original Spanish-style station was remodeled to Union Station with a shopping mall, and new station was under construction we walked through the railway track-beds to a center street.
http://www.stlouisunionstation.com/
Getting around St. Louis by the public transportation was very easy if we purchase a Metro pass which was effective to train and bus. I walked to the hotel for one hour until I found out that #11 bus runs on the same route in 10 minutes. http://www.ichotelsgroup.com/h/d/ex/...s-_-ex-_-stljf
I was lucky again to find that Holiday Inn Express ($110 per night) was located in residential area next to Lafayette Park, an oasis in downtown. I took a dinner of Salmon BLT at Squire One Brewery which was in a 10-minute walk area. http://www.squareonebrewery.com/
Day 4, My assignment this day was to confirm the confluence point of the two rivers; the Missouri and the Mississippi with my eyes. If possible, I would go to Jones-Confluence Point State Park.
http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msa=0...eeb445b8deb06c
It is said that two large rivers run along together for 20 miles until they become unified as one river. At first, I went to East Riverfront Station (Illinois side) by Metro Train and returned to Missouri side walking on Eads Bridge which was built in 1874 with length of 6,400 ft. I was somewhat sentimental to realize that the west-bound wagon trains were ferried until this bridge was completed. From the end of the bridge I strolled through the rich green forest on the riverbank to Jefferson National Expansion Museum to try viewing the scene from 630-ft Gateway Arch. http://www.nps.gov/jeff/ To my regret, the confluence point was not seen due to the direction where the arch was set up. On the busiest street, Washington Ave, I dropped in Metro Customer Information Center and found that the approach was very hard to walk 6 miles after transferring the bus twice. ( For the moment, I had to gave up the plan. After all, I was relieved to glimpse the confluence from the window of my return-flight next day.) Among many restaurants on the main street, I was attracted with the green signboard put on the corner of 11th street. I took late lunch at an outside table under the shade of a tree. McMurphy Grill was a gem where I encountered the most delicious dish in my two trips; Corn Beef Sandwiches.
http://www.stpatrickcenter.org/NewsD...0-983517683794
I will never forget a thin-salty taste which was neatly cooked. After lunch I reluctantly returned to the hotel by train and bus because it was convenient to listen to live Jazz if I reserved a hotel on the Washington Ave. I decided that this is the next enjoyment. In my hotel room, I had a little celebration of successful travel taking the last dinner with leftover Corn Beef Sandwiches and Chinese food that I bought at a deli. Let’s drink a toast to end of my trip !
I would like to itemize my impression about this trip, allow me to change some of my previous impressions.
1.Polished Manner (part 2): Westerners including Americans have a nice habit that we should adopt sooner to become a global citizen; verbal greeting, ’Good morning’ exchanged among strangers in public space, such as in elevator, on the road and so on. We bow to strangers without word due to our shyness, but I believe that verbal greeting is effective to confirm a friend or foe in a sense.
2. Different Culture; I am often confused with difference between our goodness-oriented society and Western wickedness-oriented society. For example, I am disappointed to find that a second-hand CD which was bought in a famous shopping mall in St Louis was empty without disc. I was looking forward to listening to Charlie Parker who had a deep connection with Kansas City. It was my fault that I neglected to check the content at the shop, but we do not have such a habit because we do not need to do in Japan. In addition, I am surprised that the complaint processing system has been established firmly.
http://us.bbb.org/WWWRoot/SitePage.a...e-bd452a591b91
I am waiting for the answer from the shop until Sept 2 after registry my complaint in BBB because its email address was not published, but I regretfully to tell you that I have no answer by now.
3. Solved Food Problem; I happily to tell you that food problem was solved. I surely made a half portion To Go to eat other time and I bought side dish, such as vegetable salads at deli. After all, I was able to have a nutritional balanced food for 5 dollar or something, it was revolutionary improvement compared with previous experience.
I enjoyed fully a momentary American life due to your useful information. Thank you, see you again !
Sep 4th, 2008, 09:48 PM
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Hello Kunio, I so remember your original trip report which I enjoyed so much and I again enjoyed reading the Part 2 of your trip report.
Your descriptions of your trip are so interesting to read. And may I say your command of the English language is far superior to that of many of us in the United States.
I am sorry about the CD that you bought but in fact did not receive. A dissapointment of course. I would not have thought to have checked the case either Kunio to make sure the CD was enclosed in the case.
Please come back for another visit to the United States. And thank you for sharing your trip and your impressions and experiences with us Kunio. Best regards.
Your descriptions of your trip are so interesting to read. And may I say your command of the English language is far superior to that of many of us in the United States.
I am sorry about the CD that you bought but in fact did not receive. A dissapointment of course. I would not have thought to have checked the case either Kunio to make sure the CD was enclosed in the case.
Please come back for another visit to the United States. And thank you for sharing your trip and your impressions and experiences with us Kunio. Best regards.
Sep 5th, 2008, 02:20 AM
#3
Yes,
I remember reading your first report and was impressed then with your English.
I'm a bit confused about the CD. Don't these come in a sealed package?
Thanks for the report. It's very interesting to read the impressions of a visitor.
I remember reading your first report and was impressed then with your English.
I'm a bit confused about the CD. Don't these come in a sealed package?
Thanks for the report. It's very interesting to read the impressions of a visitor.
Sep 5th, 2008, 08:22 AM
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This is the link to Kunio's first report:
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...1&tid=35141497
Kunio, this is the common error of most posters here on Fodor's: to get the correct link, you need to click one more time on the topic of the post, and copy the URL after that.
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...1&tid=35141497
Kunio, this is the common error of most posters here on Fodor's: to get the correct link, you need to click one more time on the topic of the post, and copy the URL after that.
Sep 7th, 2008, 05:33 PM
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Kunio, I also enjoyed your report, my friend! Next we need to get you -- and your wife -- to come to Utah!
To Jed, who was a little put off by his terminology, I will just say that I have known Kunio for a dozen years. And while his English is good, in this particular case, I don't think he said exactly what he meant to say. I believe the idea he was trying to convey is that Westerners are much more familiar with the principle of caveat emptor ("Let the buyer beware") than are Japanese people who trust implicitly in the honesty and goodness of sellers. Kunio certainly does not consider Americans (I am one!) to be wicked.
To Jed, who was a little put off by his terminology, I will just say that I have known Kunio for a dozen years. And while his English is good, in this particular case, I don't think he said exactly what he meant to say. I believe the idea he was trying to convey is that Westerners are much more familiar with the principle of caveat emptor ("Let the buyer beware") than are Japanese people who trust implicitly in the honesty and goodness of sellers. Kunio certainly does not consider Americans (I am one!) to be wicked.
Sep 7th, 2008, 09:56 PM
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Jerry, Thank you for your assistance. Of course, I do not consider American to be wicked. Let me add it a little. Actually my comment was targeted for Japanese tourists to the USA to avoid mistake rather than for Americans because we are getting used to a homogeneous society with an implicit agreement with others.
I just intended to try to explain two different concepts quoting ancient Chinese two scholars; Mencius who said that human beings are born inherently good while Xun Zi who said that human beings are essentially bad.
I just intended to try to explain two different concepts quoting ancient Chinese two scholars; Mencius who said that human beings are born inherently good while Xun Zi who said that human beings are essentially bad.
Sep 8th, 2008, 01:40 PM
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Thank you Kunio, I have really enjoyed your report - in more ways than one!
Firstly, I am travelling to New Orleans from the UK in December so it's great to hear your thoughts on the city.
Secondly, I love it when people post urls to places they've visited, stayed in or eaten at. In particular, if restaurant websites have menus online, I always like to look and see what I would have chosen!
Finally, I am fascinated by Japan and really hope to travel there one day (although admittedly, much of my limited knowledge comes from reading 'Memoirs of a Geisha' and watching 'Lost in Translation'). I think your observations from your trip provide a wonderful, brief insight into Japanese culture and manners and it's great to hear your comparisons.
Thank you once again.
Firstly, I am travelling to New Orleans from the UK in December so it's great to hear your thoughts on the city.
Secondly, I love it when people post urls to places they've visited, stayed in or eaten at. In particular, if restaurant websites have menus online, I always like to look and see what I would have chosen!
Finally, I am fascinated by Japan and really hope to travel there one day (although admittedly, much of my limited knowledge comes from reading 'Memoirs of a Geisha' and watching 'Lost in Translation'). I think your observations from your trip provide a wonderful, brief insight into Japanese culture and manners and it's great to hear your comparisons.
Thank you once again.
Sep 8th, 2008, 04:57 PM
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Kunio-san - Thank you so much for Part 2 - I enjoyed the first part earlier.
It is so interesting to read reports from tourists from other countries.
I have been to Japan three times and plan to go again in November.
I hope you are able to visit the US again and share your insights.
It is so interesting to read reports from tourists from other countries.
I have been to Japan three times and plan to go again in November.
I hope you are able to visit the US again and share your insights.
