Koenji, part 2. August 2022. Practical. Old man observations +
If you come again, and you like it, you should come again
Today I’m again at Koenji suburb of central Tokyo. I have posted about it before here (sorry, should be an easier way to share the previous posts- I don’t know).
I’m here for the very practical reason: I have lost some weight due to aging ( now 64) and daily exercise, so…, many clothes don’t fit. When I was 17 my weight was 82, as my brother, heavy lifting champion of Belarus, pushed me to do muscle up and snow bathing. Chest and biceps were swelling, but now I know : I could do better. Bit it helped a lot to the flu prone teenager. I don’t remember having flu or new covid flu for the last 20 years. But one day (:
Back to the body weight.10 years ago when I passed my black belt karate exam, I was around 78 kg. Now with daily HIIT and bi-weekly hot yoga, Pilates,’ etc I’m around 75. It is more to record the trend for me and show the trend for the younger guys. Don’t be surprised if you lose muscle mass with the age : it is the fact. However, due to the lower weight I can still do 8 chin ups now ( very far from SAS requirement of 40 chin ups in one minute, of course. NB: India/ Singapore same, I have friends in wheelchairs from those countries, former commandos)). If I’m on holidays and eat too much, it is hardly 3 chin ups. This is how we age to learn for 40-50th s (:.
Anyway, I sold my oversized clothes ( don’t expect profits, 1000$ suit for 50$ Etc ). I don’t care, as there is no “give it to the folks” facility nearby. Had nice Vietnamese lunch and wandered Koenji again.
Found good people watching place in a craft beer bar here.
Japanese craft beer culture moved forward a lot. I could not find good joint 10 years ago. But now, if you are in some “trendy” suburb ( I don’t live in such) , craft beers are everywhere.
Look at this menu!
They claim 20 beers, but many IPA taste similar to be frank. Heretic Brewery is my top choice. But main purpose is people watching. Old grandma walking and getting surprised as much as me ( when I walked in Koenji 20 years ago), or some scooter guys who would find it normal.
Life goes on …
Yours in travel
IZ