Sludge Factory Blues Skies
I have a rough idea where I’m going today. Luckily I chose correctly, or so I thought.
From the main road, I stayed mostly along one of the main roadway arteries of Osaka. There are really some clever paths that have been devised for pedestrians and pedestrians with bicycles. It would a maze without the ol’ digital maps.
I’ve now entered the industrial age, ahem, the industrial area after a quick walk through some residential row houses, most all with unique little gardens in the front of them.
What’s important is to make sure that you believe what you’re doing is important — no one else matters — this walk does to me.
Through KM’s of industrial areas I turn an S curve and came upon a levee with beautifully exploding white clouds bursting atop it. I see a runner, a cyclist — How can I get up there? I see some steps across the street and look both ways and make my way over. My legs feeling each of the 20 steps. Atop the levee, I’m greeted with a freshly paved and painted walkway. So fresh in fact the Osaka City works were still measuring and marking up the next asphalt signs further up the trail.
The wide expanse I come upon, I could see mountains — they’re a treat to see living in the city. I see a couple of bridges — no doubt arteries for the industry. I see a lone hydro-planing wind surfer (I’m not sure of the exact name for this sport, I just describe it like I see it) bouncing in the the water.
The trail goes as far as I can see in both directions - I definitely could have taken a more scenic route to where I was going. I pushed further west towards an island I saw on a map. An island that was filled with baseball and soccer fields - and a Lawsons or Family Mart too.
I push on towards the island, Maishima Sports Island. I see a suspension bridge and I see a shiny golden dome and a blue obelisk with a hat. My eyes could not fathom it — I thought I was hallucinating a bit. As I approached closer, I was fixated on it. I didn’t read about this building — it was as if Disneyland had a mosque instead of space mountain — this landmark was not on my map, I had not done enough research.
As I wandered past it, I noticed no windows and no signs alluding to its purpose — it must still be under construction, I thought to myself. I kept wandering further past it. It didn’t really look like it was under construction as I follow my path around it.
That place wasn’t my destination, I kept moving forward along the path. I encountered massive industrial buildings with what looked like parking — but I don’t think it was parking after all — and I’m still a bit confused at their function. I make a right and look for a Lawsons to get some nourishment. The 7-11 I stopped at briefly in Osaka proper was wearing off and I was 12KM in.
Side note: for those that don’t know Lawsons — it’s one of the main three konbini aka convenience stores, like 7-11 and Family Mart. They are lifesavers literally — open 24hours with freshly prepared food like an egg salad sandwich, soft boiled eggs with spices, salads with noodles etc — you can basically survive off them — I know, I do.
I grabbed a water, a kind bar, something called Calorie Mate’s (don’t ever get these), and then I spotted some cream cheese wrapped ham pieces. I also got some mineral vitamin jelly drink and some NPB baseball cards. I walked out of the Lawsons, no where to sit — and now the park I was originally going to was now temporarily closed — it was last week when I prepared this loosely planned trip.
I check the time, and think I should probably start heading back or maybe catch an Uber. The Uber seemed overpriced but I was aways out from anything. Of course I didn’t plan well enough to figure out I can’t get a train from this island, nor did I have change for the bus.
I start making my way back, and I’ve just passed that weird building again, and going back across the bridge when something pops in my baby toe. Not the worst pain I’ve experienced, but it’s uncomfortable and it’s affecting my gait — I’m no where near where I can get a ride as far as I can see. I don’t even know the address or landmarks except that building that was now in my rearview which could not be named (though I’m sure the computer would’ve figured that out).
Once I got over the bridge, I see a large billed crow is watching me. I found a small bench to briefly sit down and grab some gum — the gum would be a good distraction, that and some tunes. I readjusted and kept moving back further up that long beautifully paved levee trail, with its freshly painted signs. I had no idea where it was going to take me, it seemed like it went on and on.
On the levee I came upon some workers and an exit leading to what I could see a was main road. I walk down to the intersection, spot a Lawsons and call an Uber - I don’t even go into the Lawsons, I just wait a few minutes for him to show up.
As I’m in the Uber on the way home, I look up that building. Turns out it’s a sludge factory, an incineration plant.
I believe that’s the most beautiful incineration plant I’ll ever see.
