About every 10 years I decide that I’ll try renting a bicycle. That’s apparently as far back as my memory protects me.

Yesterday’s rental was a 30 year old extremely heavy steel framed upright cruiser with one functional gear and a plethora of alarming squeaks.

And I thought Yeah, I’ll take this out on the highway! Anyway, it obviously worked out because here i am.

Because im in a resort area, theres not a lot of actual things TO DO. I guess you’re supposed to relax a lot, whatever that means.

One of the things to do is to rent a bike and ride around Lake Kawaguchiko. It’s really pretty with Fuji looking down at you, and the leaves, and the fishermen, and the garbage trucks zooming by at 60 mph.

No, there is not a separate bike path. Yes, the bike lane is narrow. And I found out that the main hobby of the locals is to see how close they can get to you with their cars.

It’s pretty entertaining, I’ll admit. Thousands of vacationers, wobbling along on two wheels.

To reward my miserable efforts, I bought a curry donut from 7-11. These little slices of heaven are soooo great. Imagine a Boston cream donut, but hot, filled with Japanese curry. A hot, gravy filled, deep-fried morsel.

My stomach only hurt for 4 hours after. I’m getting another one today.

Im irritated. Somebody threw my food away out of the fridge.

To clarify: it was 2 small tubs of strawberry yogurt and some cheese that wasn’t even very good. I keep my peanut butter in my private locker.

What’s the word for a Karen in Japanese? lol.

I was ready to complain about it. I need to get over myself sometimes.

Im glad that I didn’t plan much for yesterday. Jet lag is a bitch.

Had a nice couple of walks around the town and ate a bowl of the local noodles. They’re quite good.

My hostel has a good view of the mountain at sunrise, and I actually got to see it. He has his own weather system and is frequently hiding.

Today, I’ll rent a bike and ride around the lake.

A match made in heaven?

Hear me out

The first thing I did when I got to my lodgings last night was drop off my bag and head right back out to the nearest grocery store.

I bought a jar of peanut butter like I always do when I’m going to be somewhere for a few days. In Asia, the peanut butter is usually Skippy. Not great, but okay.

A lot of places i stay have a free “breakfast,” which is usually white bread and the cheapest jam possible. Peanut butter improves the situation so much that it’s worth carrying the extra weight.

So, dear friends, consider this. You don’t need an airport limo pickup, or first class seats, or fancy meals, or a penthouse suite.

What you need to elevate your travel experience is simply a 5 dollar jar of Skippy.