Worst. Valentine’s. Day. Ever! (My Second Ambulance Ride)

First of all, let me say that I KNOW it could have been worse – MUCH worse. Someone could have been killed or seriously injured. Second, let me say that I understand that Americans have a reputation for being careless, impatient drivers in Japan and for causing accidents. Third, most Japanese drivers are extremely professional, patient, and considerate. But on Valentine’s Day 2012, I (probably THE most cautious American driver in all of Japan) was hit by an impatient and probably speeding Japanese truck driver.

This is my blog (well, ours) – so this is my version and you already know I love detail – so forgive me in advance & thank you for your patience. One thing I have learned from living in Japan is PATIENCE!

Plastic over the missing window to keep out the rain.


Right below the driver's door is the gas tank. Yep.


Driver's side window is completely broken out; glass everywhere.

It was about noon and I was driving to the large Vesta Supermarket off Hwy 188 for my regular weekly grocery shopping trip. I am very familiar with this area since I’ve been shopping here with friends for most of our nearly 8 years in Iwakuni. As I was easing ahead waiting for cars in front of me to enter parking lots to our left and right, I just began my right-hand turn (remember I’m driving on the left side of the road in the right-side driver’s seat) when I was suddenly hit or sideswiped. I never saw it coming either in my mirror, or over my shoulder before I began my turn (I’m always watching for bicycles), and I knew my right blinker was on (I heard it clicking), so I have to assume the driver was speeding and swerved around me from behind.

I had no idea what was happening, but the impact was extremely loud and forceful. I felt my shoulder harness grab me. I remember trying to steer and stop my car, but I could not. I was aware of a wall of corrugated silver covering my side window and the scraping noise was horrible, as all the window glass cascaded over me. My car seemed to be sliding forward – out of control. My right foot was slammed down on the brake, but I could not slow my car, and my hands were gripping the steering wheel. I’m pretty sure I was screaming. At last, my car slowed enough for me to jam my transmission into Park and my car ended up straight ahead on the road I was going to turn off of - close to the fence on the left side of the street. I remember thinking it was a miracle that I hadn’t hit a pedestrian or bicyclist! I thought perhaps someone had gone out of control at a high rate of speed, and I had been rear-ended and pushed forward, and perhaps my brakes had failed, which is why I could not stop. Then I saw a silver truck pull in front of me and stop in the road directly ahead of me. I assumed this was the truck who hit me. (I later found out that the truck was dragging my little car once he hit me, which is why I could not stop.)

I was aware that my hands, head and chest hurt and I was gasping for air, crying, and shaking uncontrollably. I was also covered with window glass and saw blood running down my left arm. I don’t know how much time elapsed, but finally a man came over and said to me “gomenasai” (sorry) – and he was talking on a cell phone. I assumed he was the truck driver who had hit me. I was still trying to get my breath and figure out how hurt I was and what happened. I kept feeling the back and side of my head to see if it was bleeding, but I could not find any. The man continued to walk around and talk on his cell.

A few more minutes passed (no one else came over) and I still did not hear any sirens, so when the man again came close, I asked him to please call for an ambulance, because I do not have a cell phone and I was really afraid I might be having a heart attack. I could not get myself to breathe regularly, although I was trying to practice deep-breathing exercises to calm down. I was still shaking violently and starting to feel nauseated. He then brought me some tissue to place on my cut arm, and placed his coat over me, which I really appreciated (although it smelled strongly of cigarette smoke). It was a cold, drizzly day and rain was now coming in my broken-out side window.

Finally I heard sirens and soon I was being helped onto a stretcher - I could not unfasten my seat belt or stand on my own. I remember it was raining on me, but it felt good to lie down. Someone asked my name and age, and if I wanted to go to the on-base ER and I said yes. I was asked where my car should be towed, and I replied that I’d never had an accident, so I did not know. I picked up my purse before they pulled me out because I knew I would need my ID cards. The paramedics took my vitals, attached a BP cuff and finger monitor, and cervical collar and asked if I had any history of serious illness. Of course there’s always a language barrier. I was transported to the on-base clinic ER, where I was evaluated, my hand wound was cleaned, glass removed (no stitches), and I was released after several hours, when my elevated BP finally returned to normal. While there, I was briefly interviewed by the US military police and (I think) the Japanese police; everyone was very kind and professional. Stan was brought to see me from school. I was told I would need to undergo a longer, more intensive interrogation with the accident investigation team soon, and I offered to do so the next day while it was still fresh in my mind. When I got home, all I wanted to do was crawl into bed, but first I had to shower to get all the glass off of me and out of my hair.

The next afternoon, Stan took off school to meet me for the interview and we were there most of the afternoon. Our local PMO (military police) indicated that I was not at all at fault. I have been agonizing over how this could have happened – WHY was the truck driver passing me on the wrong side of the road in such a congested area – with pedestrians and bicycles all around? And why didn’t I see him? Where did he come from?

For the first 3 or 4 days, I was exhausted and would unexpectedly cry. I did not sleep well, and was haunted by the sound and fury of the crash, both while sleeping and waking, and was easily startled by loud, sudden noises. I rested the remainder of the week and over the weekend.

Meanwhile, we received several calls from the truck driver’s insurance company - anxious for me to file my claim with our insurance company, so the matter could be settled. Stan told them I would file our claim as soon as possible, but I had simply not felt well enough to do so yet.

On the following Monday, we gathered our paperwork, photos I had taken of our damaged car and biked off-base to our insurance company to file a claim. I found out that the truck driver had told a different story than mine – actually two different stories! On the day of the wreck, he said there was a car behind me whose blinker was indicating a left turn (along with the two cars in front of me), so he “assumed” I was also going to turn left. In my memory, there was no one behind me at all, which is why I was so surprised when I was hit. I think if there had been a car there, it would have been involved in the crash. Then a few days later, he said he actually saw my LEFT blinker flashing when he decided to pass and I turned into and hit his truck. Fortunately, the accident investigators had told us that when they examined my RIGHT blinker bulb, it proved that it had been lit and blinking at the moment of impact. So, Stan requested a copy of this report and took it to our local insurance agent.

Next, we had to obtain an estimate of repairs for our car, so Stan went to see if the car was drivable. Our car had been towed on-base to our auto hobby shop (no collision repairs) so he taped the headlight onto the front of the car, brushed the glass out of the seat, and drove the car outside the gate to a nearby recommended shop for a damage estimate. Turns out, it’s over $4,000 USD for repairs – more than our car is worth (it’s a 1997 model) – so unless the other driver is found at fault and pays for our repairs, we have driven our beloved little blue box for the last time.

From our agent, I have also found out that the truck driver has now asked for me to be determined at fault (for turning right in front of him when I was blinking left) and for US to pay repairs for HIS work truck! Of course, I feel that HE was speeding, careless, and caused the accident. Our agent has advised us that there can be no settlement until both sides agree on what happened or the police determine fault from their investigation. In Japan, there’s rarely such thing as one driver being 100% at fault; fault is usually divided. As far as I can find out, there were no witnesses interviewed at the scene although there were many around, nor has anyone mentioned a street camera that might have recorded what happened. My agent told me that if we can reach no agreement, we either go to court to ask for a judge’s decision, or we will each pay for our own repairs. This is very frustrating for me, but laws are different in Japan, and it is now out of our hands. I think it takes several weeks for a decision to be made. So we wait.

It’s been over a week now since the wreck, and I’m not as sore as I was - bruises are fading, cut is healing, and my strength is coming back. On Tuesday 2/21, I returned to the pool for my morning water aerobics therapy for the first time since 2/14, and it felt good to be back in the heated pool, moving my sore muscles and deep-breathing . . . I can still close my eyes and see (and hear!) it all clearly. Although I was a mess after the crash, I am very clear about who was on the road around me in all directions - exactly where they were, and everything I saw and experienced before and during the crash. I have relived it many times since 2/14.

I know the truck driver certainly did not intend to cause a wreck, but I wish he would just admit that he was in a hurry and made a careless mistake. If I had, I would. Honest. This is our year for a probable transfer from Japan, and I don’t want this to be my last memory – we’ve had such wonderful adventures here and love Japan so! A couple of days after the wreck, I was talking with my friend Junko-san and she said, in a typical Buddhist perspective, “Maybe because the speeding truck hit your car, it saved some pedestrians or bicyclists from being injured or even killed.” I like this, and it makes me feel better, so maybe it IS all worthwhile . . .

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Sunday Afternoon Around Iwakuni 2/12/12

A lazy Sunday and we've decided to drive off-base for something to eat. It's clear but COLD today. We first drove to the Nishiki River cafe (and fabulous gift shop) where they have Sunday brunch and live chamber music, but they were sold out of brunch, so we headed back downtown on Rt 2 and found this restaurant where we ate once with Nancy & Eldon, years ago.


Inside, there were several displays in a glass case, but I especially liked this one featuring the Kintai Bridge.


We sat at a regular booth, but there was also Japanese seating nearby. See the shoehorn hanging between the seats? In this area, you remove your shoes & leave them on the floor.


Stan's beef set includes just about everything and those are actually onion rings with his beef, along with lots of other veggies.


I have sushi, ebi (shrimp) & veggie tempura, miso soup, chawan-mushi (egg custard) in the yellow dish with lid, and salad, and of course various dips and sauces. I love sets because you get just a little taste of many things.


So there's always room for dessert! Stan has a small waffle with cream & chocolate sauce, an orange slice, and pumpkin (we think) ice cream. Yum!


And I had a sundae with waffle pieces & corn flakes underneath, decorated with rolled chocolate sticks (striped) and a small solid chocolate frozen ice cream log. And of course hot coffee.


Afterward, we drove to Hide's beautiful shop near the Kintai Bridge to see what he has available today. You never know what will be here - always an adventure! We're looking for an old Japanese table to use as a coffee table in our living room. Over the years, we've bought several things from him, but the largest was our antique wooden futon tansu. It was designed to hold a family's bedding that was folded up and placed inside each morning. We bought it to house our TV and other media, and there's also a cubby for Sachi, our cat to spend napping in private. It is still my favorite piece with lots of drawers and sliding doors. I'm outside the shop looking toward the Kintai Bridge at the end of this one-way street. The entire shop is beautiful wood with sliding glass doors all across the front and parking along the street.


Looking inside the "front porch" area to the left.


Hmm, wonder if Sherri still collects Coke decor? This might be difficult to ship though . . . Below the sign is a shelf of frogs, and below that, cats.


Stan loves rummaging around in here.


Those Japanese model planes look interesting.


I love the dragon head statue, and Stan has found a mandolin in a case near a taiko drum.


Looking up at the beautiful wood timbers and a loft used for storage. This is a HUGE building.


Rows and rows of good stuff!


I'm looking out the back at the family garden. Inside a nearby sunny window, I can usually find Hide's father, snoozing in the sun in his favorite chair.


In this room, are more expensive items - many made by local artisans & always very interesting.


Very elaborate Hina doll display for the doll festival coming up on March 3.


Look at the beautiful detail!


I even love these "ugly" dolls as well - gorgeous fabric and exquisite detail - and lots of personality.


I think the old grandmother is my favorite!


Her hair looks very real - even some white strands woven into the gray - and her wrinkled face is made of kimono fabric. Of course the costumes are all made of many layers of silk kimono fabric as well.


We looked at many things, but we ended up buying a small stained glass window - these are always difficult for me to resist. And I can picture it in a sunny window in our retirement home "some day". . .


. . . but for now, it's in my kitchen window, beside the larger one I've had for a while. The hanging goldfish is one I made in Yanai a few years ago. Above the new stained glass, you can see a palm frond from my LR balcony.

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Hiroshima and Miyajima 1/29/12

It's a beautiful (but cold!) day as we ride our bikes over the pedestrian bridge toward downtown Iwakuni.


The door to the free bicycle parking at Iwakuni Station - it's always open.


Stan on the platform at Iwakuni Station buying a hot coffee while we wait for our train.


A glass enclosed area has been added recently so you can get out of the cold (or heat in summer). And a sink area was added - not sure why though.


We're on the train now crossing over one of the many rivers or canals. It's getting cloudier as we head north & east toward Hiroshima.


Cute ad poster on the train: bear wearing a fish hat?


And a cute billboard ad at a station. For a photographer, perhaps?


And about an hour later, were waiting for the streetcar at Hiroshima Station.


A 20-minute streetcar ride & short walk into Hondori Shopping Street, we're at Andersen's Bakery downtown. This is the small kitchen of the first floor restaurant where we'll have lunch. There is also a huge group of restaurants on the 2nd floor.


A basket of (thoughtful!) lap blankets for customer's use. Most of the tables are in the window & it's chilly!


Our lunch - After a small cup of soup each, Stan had a small casserole & I had a club sandwich. And we both had cappuccino.


So many fabulous choices of pastries, rolls & breads here in Andersen's bakery! While we're here, we'll buy a couple of small loaves & pastries for the next week or so.


Healthy wheat germ and whole wheat breads for sale.


Look at this pretty snowflake cake.


There's always something interesting happening here! Look what we found . . .a pastry chef is making apple strudel. After spreading the apple mixture, he carefully tears off the edge of the very large, thin pastry crust.


The blue cloth underneath is now used to carefully roll the pastry over the apple mixture.


He makes this look so easy!


Viola!


The large strudel is now washed with butter.


And placed in the oven behind the chef. How fun to watch this entire process - and you can't even imagine how good it smells in here!


Looking down Hondori Street. I love shopping (or just window-shopping!) here. I bought some more cute warm socks today. It's been a long, cold winter here in Japan this winter.


Now we're sitting at the counter in Starbucks - a good place to "people watch." The 2 young women who are sitting beside us, have gone outside (left their bags!) because there's a man giving away free snack samples outside. File this under "Only in Japan . . ."


A lady in fur coat & kimono walks by.


Inside a computer store in the Mac department, we found a large display of books about Steve Jobs . . .


Looking back toward the covered Hondori shopping street. We're walking toward Peace Park, where we haven't been for several years.


As we approached the bridge, I saw a sign about a speedboat ride, so Stan's walked down the ramp to investigate. His timing is perfect - a boat is leaving in about 5 minutes for Miyajima Island! If we hurry, we can just make it. And then we'll be half-way home . . .


And here it comes now!


Margie (me!) on the speedboat. And yes, I AM wearing my knee brace again - this time on my left knee, which needs to be replaced SOON! =o(


From the front of the speedboat, looking back up at the street bridge where we walked down.


Inside the cockpit of our speedboat.


That screen shows the rivers of Hiroshima that all lead out (down on the map) into the Seto Inland Sea - we're about in the middle one.


Margie (me!) looking into the cockpit area. See how long & wavy my hair has become in my old age?


Looking out the window & up at the ramp we walked down to board this speed boat that tours from Peace Park in Hiroshima to Miyajima Island.


Flags on the walkway to the speedboat.


Our boat is now pulling away from the pier. I can't believe they're going to make the trip when we're the only 2 passengers - yay!


Oh look - the Atomic Peace Dome is under construction - covered with scaffolding. Read more about this structure RIGHT HERE


City buildings along the river as we head out toward the sea.


Crossing under one of the many a bridges along this ride.


Stan can't quite stand up inside here - it's a little low for his 6'2" frame!


Looking through the front exit door. This is a really cool trip & we're seeing areas of Hiroshima we've never seen before.


Looking through the windows from inside. Since no one else was on board, I moved around a lot taking pictures.


That's our wake - we're moving right along now!


Looks like a new bridge is being built here.


The river is very wide here in Hiroshima as we travel toward the Seto Inland Sea.


CocaCola West


In the front of our boat, was a TV screen that explained our tour in English. Thank you!




To the left of the TV is the front emergency exit. The rear exit is where we entered the boat.


Out the left side - that looks just like the "floating island" I can see from my BR window at home!


Our boat captain seemed to be texting part of the time - really? Yikes!


Passing a large cargo vessel in the Seto Inland Sea. He's riding high . . .


Sun lowering over Miyajima Island.


Looking out toward famous oyster beds.


Looking out the right side toward mainland shore - there's the high-rise apartments at Ajina.


Beautiful old stone lighthouse as we approach Miyajima Island.


Looking out the window as the boat lands.


Stan in front of the speed boat - see how low it sits in the water?


Me at the back of the speed boat on the dock. The sea is rough, but no seasickness today - yay! Oh you can see I'm also wearing warm red leg warmers. They really helped keep my legs from getting so cold today.


We decided to walk around Miyajima to see if we could get oysters, but most everyone else is leaving. Pretty much everything on Miyajima Island closes around 5 PM. These two girls were enjoying the deer, while other girls and their dad enjoy the view of the torii nearing sunset.


One shot of the famous floating Miyajima Torii against the island as the sun drops. It's been a long time since we walked around Miyajima. We're usually biking, and I realized how much longer it takes to tour on foot!


As we walk back toward the ferry, the deer are beginning to settle down for the night. It gets colder quickly once the sun sets.


There's the ferry, so it's time to go.


Passing another ferry as we return to the mainland. Pretty!


After a 15-minute ride, we arrive at beautiful Miyajima landing.


We've walked the couple of blocks from the ferry to the local train station, where we found this family with little boy in a cute yellow tiger winter coat. . .


And his sister's coat is pink - complete with hood (including nose, eyes & ears) and tail. Cute!


Stan on the train from Hiroshima to Iwakuni. The heat comes out from under the seat, so it's cozy.


The closer we get to Iwakuni, the emptier the train becomes . . .


We're hungry and we've decided to try a new restaurant that opened up just a couple of months ago right across the street from Iwakuni Station bicycle parking. Each item costs 290 yen (about $3.75 USD). I think it's name is Butajiro which translates as "pork soup" - perhaps that's why there is a pig on the menu? We thought it was Italian because there's an Italian flag outside.


Kampai! It's nice & new and VERY cozy in this restaurant. . . it's VERY cold outside tonight!


At the next table, the patrons are having couscous (I think), which was placed into the large hollowed out shell of parmesan cheese, mixed around, and then served hot. That looks good!


This is my salmon cream sauce pasta with little mushrooms - delicious! Stan had meat sauce pasta (both our "usuals" in any Italian restaurant), and we both had garlic toast, but we both got so overheated in here, we ended up rushing our dinner so we could get outside where it was cooler. Can you believe we left without coffee & dessert??? The food was very good though & I would return - but maybe not during winter . . . So our bike ride home from the station cooled us down & we worked off our dinner - win-win!

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