== Bernie's brain dump as of April 2009 ==
+=== April 30th: Departure ===
+
+==== My father's photos ====
+
+Throughout our journey, my father also took [[Pictures/vacation/japan_2009/From_Alberto|plenty of shots]]
+with his video camera.
+
+==== How to spend 8 hours in Paris ====
+
+Our flight from Narita arrived at Charles de Gaulle at 4AM, and the connecting
+flight to Florence was at 1PM. Could we spend all this time sitting in the terminal?
+
+No way! My camera's battery was gone, but my father took some photos of [[Pictures/vacation/japan_2009/From_Alberto/Paris]].
+
+For the first time in my life, I had a really bad impression of Paris. Coming from Tokyo,
+any place would seem very dirty, but in this case the garbage was real, abundant,
+and smelled intensely of alcohol, urine and vomit. Perhaps April 30th was a special "drunk men day"?
+
+{{japan_2009/From_Alberto/Paris/00216.jpg|maxwidth=800}}
+
+==== GEEK UPDATE: A productive flight ====
+
+On the flight back to Europe, I spent some time hacking on [[GeekiGeeki]] to add little goodies such as
+
+ * a grid view for photos;
+ * automatic generation of human-readable link tags from wiki URLs;
+ * a common parser for argument lists such as "foo|bar=1|baz=3";
+ * the ability to specify css style for links and inline objects, which I'm using to produce
+ floating thumbnails on the side of pages without resorting to HTML
+
+These new features will make my wiki markup even lighter than before.
+Moreover, these additions actually resulted in further //simplification//
+of the codebase rather than code bloat. Way to go!
+
+{{{
+git diff --stat v3.0..HEAD geekigeeki.py
+geekigeeki.py | 709 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++-----------------------------
+1 files changed, 352 insertions(+), 357 deletions(-)
+}}}
+
+If you notice any regressions in the output, please report them to me.
+I'm hoping to release 4.0 soon.
+
+Tags: [[tags/stuff_that_matters]] [[tags/!bloat]] [[tags/as_simple_as_possible]] [[tags/but_no_simpler]]
+
+
+==== Last day in Tokyo ====
+
+We gathered all our left energies for a //tour de force// of a bunch of touristic
+locations highly recommended in our guide:
+
+ * The [[Pictures/vacation/japan_2009/Tokyo_Again/Edo_Museum]], along with a wonderful
+ temporary special exhibition of [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osamu_Tezuka]].
+ * The [[Pictures/vacation/japan_2009/Tokyo_Again/Ameyoko]] markets
+ * The [[Pictures/vacation/japan_2009/Tokyo_Again/Ueno_Zoo]]
+ * The Narita airport :-(
+
+=== April 29th: Back to Tokyo ===
+
+==== Hostel ====
+
+After one last tour of the [[Pictures/vacation/japan_2009/Nikko/town]], we left from Nikko in
+with a low-cost private line (2h40, but only 1100 Yen all the way to Asakusa).
+
+We had just one evening and half of the next day to spend in Tokyo, so we quickly dropped
+our luggage to the [[http://www.tokyo-ih.jp/en/index.html|Tokyo International Youth Hostel]],
+a sort of nazi camp with a great view on the 18th floor of a high-rise building in Iidabashi.
+
+==== Akihabara ====
+
+Because there was a strict curfew at 11PM, we had to take the metro during the rush
+hour ([[Pictures/vacation/japan_2009/Tokyo_Again/metro|photos and videos]]) to reach
+the [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Akihabara|Electric Town]] ([[Pictures/vacation/japan_2009/Tokyo_Again/Akihabara|photos]]).
+
+=== April 28th ===
+
+==== Guided tour ====
+
+{{Pictures/vacation/japan_2009/Nikko/waterfalls_tour/00038.jpg|maxwidth=640|class=thumbright|The Yutaki Waterfalls}}
+
+Pictures of our day-long [[Pictures/vacation/japan_2009/Nikko/waterfalls_tour]] are now online.
+Our friendly guide, the Buddhist monk whose name I forgot, answered many of our pending questions
+about Japanese traditions and religion. Hiking through these sacred mountains and woods was an
+enjoyable experience.
+
+TODO: assemble a good video from all the scenes I took along the way
+
+==== Nikko Temple Area ====
+In the afternoon, we went to visit the [[Pictures/vacation/japan_2009/Nikko/world_heritage_site]].
+One would expect to grow bored of Shinto and Buddhist temples after seeing many of them
+all over Japan, but visiting the Nikko temple area was once again an extraordinary experience.
+And I could finally spot a few [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miko]]s too!
+
+{{Pictures/vacation/japan_2009/Nikko/world_heritage_site/00096.jpg|maxwidth=640}}
+
=== April 27th ===
-==== Zenko-ji ====
+==== Afternoon: travel to Nikko ====
+
+Nikko is in an adjacent valley east of Nagano on the Japanese alps. Unfortunately, no train lines
+and buses connect them directly, so we had to take an expensive -- yet very fast -- Shinkansen
+detour all the way down to Saitama and then northbound again.
+
+Once at the station, we immediately realized it was a good deal, after all.
+This mountain town overflows with temples, world heritage sites and statues of Buddah
+spread in an extremely beautiful natural environment with many great falls, ancient woods
+and hot springs where even wild monkeys take an onsen.
+
+Our [[http://www.nikkoparklodge.com/|hostel]] is ran by Zen monks and serves an unforgettable
+vegan dinner with seit. In the evening, we exchanged excited stories with a family of Italian tourists from Milan who had
+chosen to travel by car rather than by train to save money and gather access to places unreachable
+by public transport. Quite a smart idea for groups of 3-4 people who aren't afraid of driving
+on the left.
+
+Surprisingly, one of the monks speaks perfect English. He told us that he lived in California
+for some time. An explanation worthy of the plot of a very bad 007 movie, where locals
+always happen to speak English somehow, saving James from the embarrassing need of resorting
+to silly gestures in order to get his stupid Vodka Martini the way he likes it.
+
+Tomorrow, of course after our morning yoga and vegan breakfast, we're going on a day long
+guided hiking tour with the monks, which sounds really cool.
-In the morning,
+**UPDATE**: ouch!
+{{Pictures/vacation/japan_2009/Nikko/00026.jpg|Ouch!|maxwidth=640}}
+
+==== Morning: Zenko-ji ====
+
+In the morning, we tried again to visit the [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zenk%C5%8D-ji|Zenko-ji]].
+Even on a Monday, the queue was not much shorter. A nice volunteer guide advised us that
+the pilgrims where queuing just to touch a wooden pole with an inscription on it that was
+right in front of the temple, and we could skip aside if we weren't interested. So we did.
+
+We still had to queue for half an hour inside the temple to reach the secret chamber where
+we would get the rare opportunity to see the hidden Buddha, visible only once every seven
+years. Quite a lucky combination! I was impressed by the devotion of the people around me.
+The spiritual side of Japanese people does not seem to clash at all with their high-tech lifestyle.
+
+Behind the temple, we were led down a narrow staircase to a dark and twisty corridor beneath
+the temple. We had to walk in the pitch black obscurity, touching the walls in search of a
+metal key of enlightenment. I could finally get hold of the key and turn it, but the most
+enlightening part of this experience was hearing the crowd of tourists apologizing for bumping
+into each other all the time ;-)
+
+I only have outdoors [[Pictures/vacation/japan_2009/Nagano/Zenko-ji|photos]] becuase taking
+pictures inside was strictly forbidden. A monk yelled at me just for fiddling too much with
+my camera, which was quite surprising, considering how tolerant Japanese people usually are
+towards our ignorance of their culture.
+
+{{Pictures/vacation/japan_2009/Nagano/Zenko-ji/00186.jpg|The sacred inscription we can't read, let alone understand|maxwidth=800}}
=== April 26th: Matsumoto again ===
==== Back to Matsumoto ====
-We went back to Matsumoto to visit [[http://localhost/wiki/Pictures/vacation/japan_2009/Matsumoto/Castle|Matsumoto Castle]],
+Our [[Pictures/vacation/japan_2009/Nagano/Shimizuya_Ryokan|ryokan in Nagano]] was simply great.
+Everything was traditional Japanese-style, including the room, the onsen and the breakfast.
+
+We tried to visit the [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zenk%C5%8D-ji|Zenko-ji]] right next to our
+ryokan, but we spotted a really long queue of pilgrims at the entrance, so we went back to the
+station to visit the [[http://localhost/wiki/Pictures/vacation/japan_2009/Matsumoto/Castle|Matsumoto Castle]],
one of Japan's top 3 castles ([[Pictures/vacation/japan_2009/Matsumoto/Castle|photos]]). The adjacent
-museum was also great ([[Pictures/vacation/japan_2009/Matsumoto/Museum|photos]]).
+museum was also great ([[Pictures/vacation/japan_2009/Matsumoto/Museum|photos]]). On our way back, we've found
+a peculiar [[Pictures/vacation/japan_2009/Nagano/dancing_kids|dancing show]] with cute little girls and their
+teachers.
+
+Apparently, by leaving Nagano we missed some kind of prayer or event held by Tibetan monks at the
+[[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zenk%C5%8D-ji|Zenko-ji]]. Too bad, it might have been a good chance
+to show some support for the Tibetan cause. Go, Tibet, Go!!
+{{Pictures/vacation/japan_2009/Matsumoto/Castle/00147.jpg|Soooo conventiinal!|maxwidth=640}}
+{{Pictures/vacation/japan_2009/Matsumoto/Castle/00108.jpg|Scary, uh?|maxwidth=640}}
=== April 25th: Matsumoto ===
we spent the best part of the day at the [[Pictures/vacation/japan_2009/Matsumoto/Station|station]] and
with some dumb [[Pictures/vacation/japan_2009/Matsumoto/Shopping|shopping]].
-In the evening, we headed to [[http://wikitravel.org/en/Nagano]], a city famous for the
+In the evening, we headed to [[http://wikitravel.org/en/Nagano|Nagano]], a city famous for the
1998 winter olimpics and for an ancient [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zenk%C5%8D-ji|buddhist temple]].
-
-**UPDATE**: the report for [[blog/2009/April#kyoto-higashiyama|April 21st]] is now available!
+{{Pictures/vacation/japan_2009/Nagano/Shimizuya_Ryokan/00053.jpg|All sorts of accommodations come with good wi-fi, including traditional ryokans|maxwidth=800}}
=== April 24th -- over 1 [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Megametre|megameter]] by train ====
+**UPDATE**: the report for [[blog/2009/April#kyoto-higashiyama|April 21st]] is now available!
+
We left our comfortable hostel in Kyoto early in the morning for a second Shinkansen
ride of 360Km, this time on the faster [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nozomi_%28train%29|Nozomi]].
The one-way ticket was "just" 10,250円, equivalent to $105 or €80.
Shinkansen for another 690Km ride to another location which will be revealed
in due time. Don't miss the next amazing episode of Bernie's Adventures!
-{{Pictures/vacation/japan_2009/Hiroshima/00079.jpg|"Peace" written with origami cranes|maxwidth=480}}
+{{Pictures/vacation/japan_2009/Hiroshima/00079.jpg|"Peace" written with origami cranes|maxwidth=640}}
Also check the story behind the [[http://www.city.hiroshima.jp/shimin/heiwa/crane.html|millions of paper cranes]]
sent from all over the world in memory of the little Sadako.
projects / wiki.git / blobdiff