On the third day of our meetings, we had the (wonderful) opportunity to observe the company’s annual fire drill. If you ever find yourself in a Japanese building during an emergency, here’s what you must do:
Step 1: Evacuate (like we did).
Step 1A: If you cannot evacuate, make yourself visible by unfurling a flag:
Step 2: Observe the observers.
^but don’t go past those cones!
Step 3: Wait for the arrival of the fire brigade.
Step 3A: Wait for the arrival of a ladder truck.
Step 4: Get rescued.
Step 5: Celebrate your life with strangers.
^Actually, we had some time to kill (between our meetings and dinner), so we wandered into Tachikawa’s tiniest bar.
This bar was chosen not because we knew about it, but because we were lost, and because it had a vintage Budweiser sign out front. The place had two tables, was smokey, and had the cutest lil bartender (on the left). Two 40’s cost a few bucks, and the peanuts were free. Will go back!
Step 6: Catch the last train home.
Picture of Rainier made me smile. I'd love to be able to fly into a city with some monument or natural formation so dominating — it just says “Yes, you're back where you belong.”
How did you happen to have a camera available for the fire drill?!