Well after last week's episode of living hand to mouth (punctuated by needing to buy Shinkansen tickets to Okayama again on Saturday.) I had a little more fun on my days off this week, having successfully been paid (for the second month in a row) on Monday. 3 cheers for working for a solvent company, "hip, hip, Hurray!"

Oh, let me begin with Monday's "excitement." I went to my usual school downtown (thought it wasn't not a normal shift. Just for the day.) Part way through the shift one of the staff asked if I wanted to help pass out fliers outside. "Sure," I say. I always wondered what is was like to be one of the people handing out things on the corner. It's a lot easier than it looks, especially if you're a 2 meter tall foreigner. I could have been handing out hand grenades with the pins pulled and still run out... but I digress. That wasn't the interesting part. So, I watch as a lady rides her bike into the intersection as the light is about to change to "walk." People often start to cross while it's still "a little red." Anywho, the cross-traffic light is still yellow and some guy guns it to get through. And, yeah, I always herd there were a lot of traffic accidents here, but I had never seen one. The lady goes flying up on the guy's hood as he slams on the brakes. Luckily she got up afterwords and seemed REALLY shaken but physically unhurt. The police came but I ran out of fliers and went back inside before much else happened. Scary stuff, a potent reminder to look both ways before crossing the street, and only cross with the light!

Yesterday (Tuesday), after paying some bills in the morning, I decided to check out Rokko Island. Rokko is one of three large man-made islands in the bay next to Kobe (along with Port Island and Kobe Airport.) You may recall from a previous post that I went to Port Island (but didn't bother getting off the train for lack of interest.) As with Port Island, there's not a lot that's of interest on Rokko Island. I did find a water park (though I didn't have my swimsuit with me.) The layout of the Island is more or less an outer ring of port facilities (ridiculously large cranes loading and unloading stupidly large ships), a ring of high-rise apartments, and a half-un-occupied retail core. One thing that did strike me was how devoid of history the place was. Everything on the island was built less than 20 years ago, so there weren't any 500 year old shrines waiting to be found in the back alleys. Sort of a weird vibe.

The aliens have landed...
And parked their spaceship on Rokko Island!

Today (Wednesday) I wasted most of the morning hours playing video games. Some time after lunch I decided I should probably get off my butt and actually do something. The easiest thing at hand was my old "pick a direction and walk in it until you find something cool" routine. I ended up climbing one of the mountains in the range behind my apartment. Turns out there's a walking bridge called "Venus Bridge" that's fairly famous for its view at the top. It was a fairly clear day today (not too hazy anyways) and I got one of the best views of Kobe yet (it was actually clear enough to see Osaka.) After climbing down the mountain I made my way south past my old apartment to Harbor Land and finally back home. Probably a 5km day, but most of that was vertical.

Sick of my pictures of the Kobe skyline yet?
(It's my new Fuji-san!*)
(*see the pictures in the last 1/2 of my last blog)

Another perspective on Port Tower

I think this is the third week in a row of my posting at this time. It seems to work pretty well, so I think I'll (be attempting to) stick to it. Also in the realm of posting, the Japanese summer is nearly upon us (well, those of us in Japan.) With temps easily creeping up over the 100 degree mark for weeks at a time and with humidity like a rain-forest at the bottom of the ocean, I will be toning down my adventures to things that will probably be inside (air conditioned but not as photograph-able.) I know some of you really enjoy the photography part of this blog but please bare with me until typhoon season gets here (the end of August) and takes some of the temperature edge off.

Alright, I think that's it for now. Thanks to "Marine Day" on the 20th I get a four day work week this week and a "three day 'weekend'" next week. Now... what to do with my bonus day off... Until next time:

Jaa Mata Ne.

P.S. As of today I've spent 69 days in Japan, 1 day longer than the time here with my last company.

P.P.S. I'd like to wish my Father a very Happy Birthday.

A very quick and boring post this week. Due to several factors, not the least of which; that it has been raining pretty hard the last two days, I didn't do anything the least bit exciting on my days off. Funny story (related to not doing anything) most of my weekend budget this week went to fronting for Shinkansen tickets to Okayama and back on Monday. On the plus side it's not every day I get to travel 150km in 30 minutes on the company nickel. Oh, and last Friday I went 80km in the opposite direction to the other side of Kyoto (via regular train, taking an hour) to a picturesque town up the the mountains called Yamashina. It's Thursday morning now I should get ready for work. Until next time:

Jaa Mata Ne.

What's this then? The second post in a week!? Yeah, I'm surprised too... don't get too used to it.

Anyways, I'm wrapping up my "weekend" here and gosh was I busy. Yesterday I headed over to Himeji (40 minutes away by Special Rapid train) and today I went into Osaka. The main purpose of both trips was to check out the castles in each city.

Japanese lesson for the day: "Jo", when attached to a place name, usually means castle (i.e. Hiroshima-jo, Himeji-jo, Osaka-jo.)

Himeji-jo is, perhaps, Japan's most famous castle.

Needing stones to build the foundation,
the lord of the castle put out a request to the people.
A woman donated her only mill-stone to the construction (seen above.)
After hearing the story of her noble deed, the collection of stones hastened.
Although many stones were collected from the people, some were stolen from various shrines, temples, and even a few stone coffins from local cemeteries.

From a distance the foundation looks to be made up of large stones alone.
Upon closer inspection the gaps between the larger stones are actually filled with smaller stones.

'Pan-o-ramic' view from the top of Himeji-jo.
Even today it remains the tallest structure in Himeji city.

They happened to be filming something in one of the courtyards.
With all that equipment (movie magic) it'll look just like it was made in a studio!
...wait, then why...

On the way back from Himeji I stopped took some pictures of the world's longest suspension bridge. The Akashi Kaikyo bridge is 1991 metes long at it's center span(833m longer than the Mackinac bridge) Turns out pictues don't do justice to the sheer size of this behemoth.

There was a bridge museum (which I skipped) and an... observatory(?) under the roadway of the bridge. Here for your bloodthirsy American viewing pleasure is me risking life and limb (again, the photo doesn't quite do justice to the 9 story drop to the water.)

Hey, look, another castle! This one's in Osaka. Pretty much right in the center of the downtown area. I didn't pay the 600 yen to go inside (I assume that it looks like the interior of both of the other castles I've toured.) Osaka-jo is cool in that it's got a two-tiered moat (one moat sits inside and above the other. Pictured is the second, higher, moat and the castle building.)

The Office of Silly Signs (Kobe Branch) brings you this.
Honestly, if is this "relaxation", I don't want to know what stress in Thailand is like.

... and some store names just wouldn't fly elswhere in the world...

Not pictued this week: the wicked sunburn I got walking around today. Yesterday was perfect, not too hot OR humid with some light cloud cover. Today was sunny, hot, and humid. (Yes, yes, should have worn a hat, blah, blah, 20-20 hindsight and all that.) Well, for the time being it's okay, but I'd better go find some aloevera before it really starts to itch.

I think that about covers it. Back to work tomorrow. Nose to the grindstone and all that.

Jaa Mata Ne.

So, it's been almost two weeks since my last update. I'd like to say it's because I've been so busy gallivanting over the Japanese countryside. Well, okay, that's actually half true. I have been busy with work which has taken me all over the Kansai region. As a nice side effect, I'm becoming extremely familiar with the local train lines. It turns out that in Sannomiya (read: downtown Kobe) there are actually four different rail companies running five rail lines (that I've found so far.) that includes 3 over-land commuter trains and 2 subway lines. It seems (judging from the last few weeks) that I can be expected to utilize all 5 lines in any given week. Intimacy with the system is necessary because some lines have stations with the same name in other cities (i.e. JR-Amagasaki, Hankyu-Amagasaki, Hanshin-Amagasaki.) But, that doesn't mean these stations are ANYWHERE near one another. So, if you're headed to a store near Hankyu-Amagasaki and you take the JR train, you're in for one heck of a walk (or going all the way back to Sannomiya, where the lines all intersect.)

As far as my usual wander-lust adventuring, I was pretty beat after Hiroshima, so the most exciting thing I did that week was laundry. This week I actually got off my arse on Tuesday and took the Ropeway from Shin-Kobe up the mountain there to visit the Kobe Herb-Park which has a great view of all of Kobe (and even Osaka and Kansai airport (across the bay) on a really clear day.)

Big dam and reservoir seen from ropeway car.

Foreground: Kobe Herb-Park green house.
Kobe, Port Island, and Kobe airport in the background.

My room, now lived in for almost a month.

Not much of an update I'll admit. Maybe the weather will be nice this week and I'll get over to Himeji (where there's a great Japansese castle) and/or to Suma (the closest public beach.)

Oh, that does reminds me of one point. It's been announced that the rainy-season has arrived in Japan. I can't say I've ever lived in a place with a rainy SEASON before. Not too surprising the forecast on any given day calls for a 40-90% chance of rain (also strange that in the States you almost never get a 90% chance of rain, it usually tops off around 70%... I wonder why...) But I digress.

I hope this post finds you in good health and good spirits. Until next time:

Jaa Mata Ne.

P.s. Happy Birthday to Me!

P.p.s. In other news, the former president of my former company has been arrested on a variety of charges related to the crash and burn of the company. What's that feeling? Faith being restored in "the system"? Yes, I think it is!

A week in Hiroshima

I sit here with the collected notes on my week in Hiroshima in front of my trying to think of what to write. To say it's not a normal Japanese city would be quite incorrect, but to say it isn't a totally unique place would be equally misleading.

Last Monday morning I caught the shinkansen 'Nozomi 7' out of Shin-kobe station at 9:59am. By 11:05am I was in 307km (190mi) away at Hiroshima station. Getting off the futuristic transport of the bullet train (It runs on electricity, it makes few stops, it's easy to board) I got on the great anachronism of public transport, the street car (all the speed of a bus, but on rails, and still has to obey traffic laws.)

I arrived at the school early, so I dropped off my bags and found my way over to the Peace Park (only two blocks from the school (more on the Peace Park later.)) After some lunch I went into work, taking a break part way through to check into my hotel (right around the corner from the school!) After work I was tired so I just went back to the hotel and crashed out.

Seriously, I've been in bigger airline bathrooms.

Ah, what a great view of Hiroshima.

This just set the "English Teacher" me right off. The sign on my door read:
"In case of fire broke out, or alarm signal were resound, we will broadcast an urgent announcement of emergency route, please calm dawn and follow the instructions of the hotell staff. The elevators cannot be used more."

Tuesday I got up and did the Peace Park properly (no, still gonna have to wait for details.) After working all afternoon I went to a yakitori (my favorite Japanese food) bar where I met two really cool Salary-men who I chatted with for a long time (Hurray for using my Japanese!!)

Wednesday was my day off so, on many a recommendation, I went to Miyajima. Miyajima is another one of those places you know, but you don't know you know it. Perhaps if I say "big Japanese arch in the water" (see picture)? In addition to a really famous shrine, Miyajima is home to a population of wild deer. This means two things: hungry deer preying on dumb people who feed them and the resulting loads of deer $#!+ everywhere. As with anyplace mildly famous in Japan, the requisite presence of EVERY SINGLE JAPANESE SCHOOL CHILD EVER was noted. On a lighter note there were lots of nice shrines. And although the day was rainy with low clouds, the scenery was wonderful.

Ferry to Miyajima (run by Japan Rail.)

Eh? Ring a bell?

This temple supposedly looks like it's floating at high tide.
It just sits in the muck at low tide.

Um, insert witty pagoda-related caption?

"Hey man, you got some 'people food'?"

I'm not sure if I'm more confused that it's addressed to the deer or that I need to pay special attention to my babies.

I kid you not, Miyajima is the birthplace of the rice-scoop.
Seen here: the world's largest rice-scoop.
(You can't make this stuff up.)

Thursday I didn't have to work until later so I took in Hiroshima Castle in the morning. The odd thing about Hiroshima castle is that, like the rest of the city, it's less than 60 years old (in fact, it's celebrating the 50th anniversary of it's reconstruction.) Also on the castle grounds are the foundation of the 4th army headquarters (no, really this will be covered in it's own section later.) Thursday night I went out for Okanomiyaki. What is that you ask? I think the best translation I can come up with is FOOD OF THE GODS! Take a crepe, put fried noodles on top, add liberal amounts of cabbage, add some more stuff (squid, spices, whatever tickles your fancy), cook it down into a pancake, and eat! I think this goes in the category of sashimi (raw fish) and other things that sound gross until you eat them.

Hiroshima castle is a good example of a "flat-land" castle, prominent in Japan's late castle building period. Aren't museums edu-taining!

Friday was also a late start so I trekked out to Hijiyama park in the morning. Hijiyama offers a nice vantage point to take in the whole Hiroshima skyline. The park is also home to the museum of contemporary art and the local manga (Japanese comics) library. After work I went back to the yakitori bar and the Salary-men from before surprised me with an impromptu "good-bye" party.

Saturday was all work followed by another shinkansen trip back home (not such a funny thing to think it's one of the SHORTER (time) commutes I have to do.)

Now the part you've probably been expecting since I said I was going to Hiroshima a week ago: thoughts on Hiroshima and the atomic bombing.

When I first went to the Peace Park it was raining. I think, particularly in the rain, the weigh of history becomes too much to bear. One thing I did notice on my first foray was that the "A-Bomb Dome" was a lot smaller than I had imagined it. Going back the next day (in full daylight) it's still a very power place to be. There are many monuments to those who died. The museum is really well done. Something that is a constant throughout the park is water (mostly in the form of fountains.) Evidently those not instantly killed in the blast, who were badly irradiated, became very thirsty. However upon drinking the tainted water present in the city many died immediately. Hiroshima is made up of 5 islands in 6 rivers. For a city built on water it's hard to to think that so many died with nothing but the word on their lips. It's certainly strange to visit a place and feel guilt for something so distant. I think I'll stop here. Long story short, it's not as depressing as I expected it would be... but it did make me stop and think.

Quintus-essential Hiroshima picture.

. . .

ANYWAYS, I had a great time in Hiroshima and would certainly visit again. Both city and inhabitants were really nice. Now to find the time, money, and/or and excuse to go back!

Jaa Mata Ne.

P.s. A note that will make the parents smile: I got a paycheck! I even looked in my account and found money there! Huzzah!

It occurs to me that I should probably post a little something this morning before I leave. You see, I may not have internet access in the hotel I'm staying in in Hiroshima!

I head out in an hour or so to catch the Shinkansen going west. This will (probably) be the longest morning commute I will (ever) have to do. (Well, it is only 75 minutes, but 300 kilometers!) Anyways, I'll be in Hiroshima for a week subbing at the school down there. Because it's for work my company is picking up the tab for my train ticket and my hotel.

I did really want to get down there, and now I get to do it on the company nickel! I'll post pictues and stories as is possible or when I get back. Until then:

Jaa Mata Ne.

Wow, so I just had to go read my last post to see what I wrote. Things have been very busy here the last few... well, weeks. As I said previously, last friday night I moved into my new apartment. This has led to a lot of running around the last few days changing my address with the city, my bank, and my cellphone company. Also, although this is a fully furnished apartment, a few "western" style kitchen items were needed (a BIG pot for making spaghetti, a glass that holds more than 1 liquid ounce, non-chopstick utensils, etc.) Add on top of that, I had my first two days at work. TGIT (thank goodness it's tuesday) and therefore my "weekend"!

Okay, now backtracking a week, I went to Kyoto last sunday. Mostly I walked around the same places that I did two and a half years prior with Sparks. The only place I couldn't find was the big shopping arcade in the middle of the city, but more on that later. Instead of my usual boring detail, I present some observations I wrote down while walking around.

• On a rainy day, riding into Kyoto, the mountains sneak up on you, hidden in the clouds.
• 
  
• Coming into Kyoto from the south, the landscape becomes very flat. Not just the terrain, but the buildings become low-slung. It is said that and building taller than the surrounding mountains will be destroyed by angry gods.
• 
  
• A great way to see a city is from it's river banks.
• 
  
• The crane is no fool, it doesn't wade into the deep water to fish. Rather it sits in the rapid and waits for the fish to jump.
• 
  
• Point of thought: Man feeds pigeons, pigeons attract hawks. Is man feeding hawks?

Kyoto is a day trip in the best sense. It takes about 90 minutes to get there, and most of the "big sites" can be seen in a day. Again this trip I failed to see the Kyoto Imperial palace, as it's evidently closed on sundays.

Move over Don Quixote penguin, there's a new favorite mascot in town!

Birds fishing.

Anyone who has read Memoirs of a Geisha will remember Gion.

The notably CLOSED Kyoto Imperial palace.

A week later (last sunday) I decided to take another walk around Kobe. It was a very nice day and again I walked down to Meriken park. This time I went up to the top of Kobe Port Tower and took some pictures.

Big. Metal. Fish.

Preserved piece of Meriken park from the '95 earthquake.

Kobe Port Tower with Kobe Maritime Museum in front.

Kobe Port Tower.

Looking East.

Looking Northeast.

Looking North.

Looking Northwest.

Saturday I had my first day of work. Ironically I was sent into Kyoto and taught at each of the two schools in the part of town where the big shopping arcade I was looking for the previous week is. Monday I started out at my "normal" school but was sent to a school two stops down the line later in the day. All this running around should settle down in a month or two as permanent classes become available. Classes so far have been fun. I like all the students, and the lesson plans are pretty idiot proof (on the teacher end.)

I'm liking the new apartment and my new roommate seems cool. The building is in a historic neighborhood up the hill from Sannomiya station (downtown Kobe.) There are lots of neat old western style homes (which I shall photograph later, as time permits.)

Front building entrance.

Room (messy already).

View from room balcony.

View from outside front door.

I think that's it for now. I'm sure I've forgotten some thing(s) but, oh well. Until next time:

Jaa Mata Ne.