Like British cooking, old age seems to have a bad reputation and should - as far as possible - be avoided at all costs. It's hard to argue with that as there are lots of negatives within the "joys of ageing", but for today, at least, let's set those aside and focus on one really pleasant activity that people of any age can enjoy: swimming in the sea.
Swimming in the sea is a cost-effective way to exercise. All you need is some cheap swimwear and lots of sea. In Fukuoka, we are fortunate in that we have plenty of both. Personally, I like to use baggy swim shorts because (apart from looking really cool…?) they have zipped pockets for keys, coins, and plenty of space for other necessities when you go swimming – like cheese and pickle sandwiches. I also wear a long-sleeved swim shirt which protects against minor irritants like sunburn, jellyfish, and great white sharks, of course.
Naturally, getting to the sea is also required and for that I use my trusty (read rusty) old mountain bike, which - much like its rider - has seen better days. It takes about twenty minutes to arrive at Atagohama (the nearest beach) from my home, and the trip includes a pleasant ride along the banks of Muromi River.
When I went out to Atagohama this morning (a Tuesday in early June), as it was a weekday there weren't many people around. A few elderly folk, some fishing and some walking, and one young, outstandingly positive thinker - a man wearing only his Speedos lying flat out under the baking sun, irradiating himself on a beach towel. Good idea.
After parking my bike and removing my sandals, I was good to go and headed across the sand, passing the cooking sunbather on the way, and headed into the sea. The youngster on the towel was probably thinking, "Ah, that old gaijin must be a positive thinker, he's actually going for a swim in the sea at his age." Good idea.
The water was fantastic. A lovely cool temperature and the waves were low due to the slight summer breeze. I swam out slowly in relaxed strokes to the sea wall. Although I'm not a good or stylish swimmer, swimming in the sea is easy for everyone because we all float in salt water
Swimming in the sea is also fabulous mental therapy, too. It's impossible to have hubris when you swim in the sea because you know how small and powerless you are in the vast ocean. You also feel connected to everything. Sounds very deep in a Buddhist sense (of which I am neither) I know.
After some time spent swimming and floating about, I swam back to the beach and headed up the sand to retrieve my bicycle - once again passing the positive thinker, who by now was sound asleep on his colourful orange towel. After rinsing off my sandy feet and having a long drink at the water fountain (thoughtfully provided by Fukuoka City), I remounted my trusty steed and headed off to Muromi River once again.
The highlight of the ride home was passing a young mother with a baby. Very cute - and, as one of our entertaining students (S.L.) would have said - the baby, too. It was the highlight of the return trip because she unexpectedly gave me a warm smile as I passed by.
"Ha ha,” I thought, "Even at my age, I've still got it!"
"Ha ha" she thought, "Look at that old, wrinkled gaijin wobbling along on his bicycle with his shiny head – I wonder if he knows how funny he looks?”
How rude.
Anyway, I digress. My point is, if you have access to a beach and some slinky swimwear (baggy shorts come highly recommended) go for a splash - it's a true slice of heaven
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