+++ /dev/null
-== Bernie's brain dump as of April 2009 ==
-
-=== April 27th ===
-
-==== Zenko-ji ====
-
-In the morning,
-
-
-=== 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]],
-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]]).
-
-
-=== April 25th: Matsumoto ===
-
-Yesterday, we arrived on a rainy night to the mountain town of Matsumoto, where a lady with a car
-took us from the station to a cozy [[Pictures/vacation/japan_2009/Matsumoto/family_hostel|family held hostell]].
-The next day was rainy, so instead of going right to the famous [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matsumoto_Castle|Matsumoto Castle]],
-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
-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!
-
-=== April 24th -- over 1 [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Megametre|megameter]] by train ====
-
-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.
-
-{{Pictures/vacation/japan_2009/Hiroshima/00085.jpg|The A-Bomb peace memorial near the epicenter|maxwidth=480}}
-
-Unlike Kyoto, there aren't many sites of historic interest in Hiroshima because, quite
-unsurprisingly, every building in the city center is at most 64 years old.
-With [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hiroshima_Peace_Memorial|one notable exception]].
-Coming such a long way only to see a broken dome and a the surrounding
-[[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hiroshima_Peace_Memorial_Park|park]] might seem crazy,
-but it was definitely worth it. One of the most dramatic moments of human history
-happened right here not long ago, and survivors of about my father's age can give
-their first-hand testimony with the help of black and white photographs and melted
-items from the museum. After causing so much horror and observing its consequences,
-what did we do about it? We quickly built **thousands** of bombs much more
-destructive than [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Little_Boy|Little Boy]]. Smart move.
-
-As usual, I couldn't refrain from taking [[Pictures/vacation/japan_2009/Hiroshima|a load of photos]] here too.
-These probably can't deliver the pain in the chest one gets by visiting the museum,
-but might still be a little disturbing.
-
-In the afternoon, we returned to the Hiroshima station just in time to catch the 16:01
-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}}
-
-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.
-
-=== April 23rd -- Last day in Kyoto ===
-
-==== Morning: Arashiyama by bike ====
-
-In the morning of this sunny day, we biked to a few locations on the
-east side of Kyoto:
-
- * [[Pictures/vacation/japan_2009/Kyoto/Dakakuji|Dakakuji]], an active Shingon Buddhist temple
- * [[Pictures/vacation/japan_2009/Kyoto/Tenryuji|Tenryuji]], another beautiful Buddhist temple with a beautiful Zen garden, next to a bamboo forest
- * [[Pictures/vacation/japan_2009/Kyoto/Monkey_Park|Monkey Park]], a place where you can closely observe and interact with [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Macaque|Japanese macaques]].
-
-{{Pictures/vacation/japan_2009/Kyoto/Monkey_Park/00028.jpg|see no evil, hear no evil, speak no English|maxwidth=800}}
-
-==== Evening: a city I did not like ====
-
-At last, I've found a place I actually didn't like much in Japan!
-The first impression of Osaka's central station was that it was old and
-dirty. Of course one could still eat on the floor, and coming from
-[[Pictures/vacation/japan_2009/Kyoto/Shin_Kyoto|Kyoto's station]] might
-have compromised my judgement. There was big crowd of busy people
-everywhere, and if //you// bump into someone, //they// don't apologize
-for it.
-
-Our copy of the Lonely Planet highly recommended [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/D%C5%8Dtonbori|Dotonbori]]
-at night for its "Blade Runner views", so we headed there. They must have watched
-a version of the movie with bad special fx, because all I could observe in
-Dotonbori was a narrow street sided by neon signs of restaurants and pachinkos.
-Just above average, imho, and certainly not worth the time and the price of the
-train ticket. Unless you're a moth, perhaps.
-
-{{http://www.codewiz.org/wiki/Pictures/vacation/japan_2009/Osaka/00003.jpg|The Osaka central station|maxwidth=800}}
-
-We granted our guide a second chance and choosing their highest rated
-restaurant in Dotombori, one specialized in [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Udon|udon]].
-There was no English menu and the only food I could order was a chest of cold
-spaghetti on a bamboo crate with no sauce but a cup of soy sauce, also cold of course,
-in which one could dip them separately. Or so I understood: the waiters were extremely
-kind but wouldn't speak English, which created even more confusion. //Dulcis in fundo//,
-the bill was much higher than usual and they wouldn't take credit cards.
-
-We rushed back to the metro to Shin-Osaka, JR train to Kyoto, local train to
-Arashiyama, where our bikes were still waiting for us for the ride back home.
-
-
-=== April 22nd ===
-
-==== Kyoto Higashiyama ====
-
-Today we walked along the east side of Kyoto, north to south:
-
- * [[Pictures/vacation/japan_2009/Kyoto/Ginkakuji|Ginkakuji]] -- rock garden with a view point;
- * [[Pictures/vacation/japan_2009/Kyoto/Eikando|Eikando]] ([[http://www.eikando.or.jp/English/index_eng.htm|home page]]) -- an active Buddhist temple
- * [[Pictures/vacation/japan_2009/Kyoto/Chion-in|Chion-in]] -- huge temple with the largest bell in Japan
- * [[Pictures/vacation/japan_2009/Kyoto/Sennen-zaka|Sennen-zaka]] -- a trendy touristic way with maikos (aka geishas);
- * [[Pictures/vacation/japan_2009/Kyoto/Jishu-jinja|Jishu-jinja]] -- a temple hanging on a cliff with an impressive scaffolding;
- * [[Pictures/vacation/japan_2009/Kyoto/Fushimiinari-taisha|Fushimiinari-taisha]] -- The multi-torii tunnel. My #1 favorite shrine!!!
-
-{{Pictures/vacation/japan_2009/Kyoto/Chion-in/00056.jpg|The huge bell of Chion-in|maxwidth=800}}
-
-==== Food ====
-
-Eating in japan can a challenge for a vegetarian who also happens to dislike fish and crustaceans.
-The average menu has about 5% of veggie dishes, but many restaurants in tourist areas specialize
-in traditional food such as [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sushi|sushi]] and
-[[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tempura|tempura]]. Imitations of Italian kitchen are close to
-perfection, of course: in Tokyo, we had perfectly reasonable spaghetti with eggplants.
-
-Even with my options severely limited, I could still find several exquisite dishes.
-I quite like soups, including [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miso_soup|miso shiru]],
-[[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ramen|ramen]] and others I ordered by pointing at the
-fake dish in the restaurant window without ever knowing their name.
-
-My favorite food so far is [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Omurice|Omurice]]. Yeah, perhaps
-it's not as sophisticated as the average Japanese recipe. Hmm... I guess learning to
-appreciate complex and delicate flavors takes some more time.
-
-{{Pictures/vacation/japan_2009/Kyoto/Ryoanji/00016.jpg|Omurice = omelet + rice|maxwidth=640}}
-
-As for beer, I still couldn't find one I like. The most popular ones, Asahi and Kirin,
-are just tasteless dry lagers. All the drafts I could find taste like Asahi too. The
-only good beers I had were at the [[http://www.deliriumcafe.jp/|Delirium Cafe]] in Tokyo,
-where I had a delicious [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pauwel_Kwak|Kwak]] followed by a
-cherry flavored [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kriek|Kriek]]. Too bad we had to stop at
-just two to make sure we could find the way back to the hostel :-)
-
-Now I'm looking for a place where I could taste vegetarian [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sukiyaki|sukiyaki]],
-the favorite food of [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ataru_Moroboshi#Ataru_Moroboshi|Ataru Moroboshi]].
-
-=== April 21st ====
-
-==== Great temples everywhere ====
-
-Yesterday was rainy, but it didn't stop us from biking around and visiting quite a lot of stuff:
-
- * the [[Pictures/vacation/japan_2009/Kyoto/Ninnaji|Ninnaji temple]];
- * the [[Pictures/vacation/japan_2009/Kyoto/Ryoanji|Ryoanji temple]], with its puzzling rock zen garden;
- * the [[Pictures/vacation/japan_2009/Kyoto/Kinkakuji|Kinkakuji temple]] (aka golden temple);
- * the [[Pictures/vacation/japan_2009/Kyoto/Nijojo_Castle|Nijojo castle]], which is actually two castles for the price of one;
- * a quick tour of the [[Pictures/vacation/japan_2009/Kyoto/Kyoto_downtown|Kyoto downtown]];
- * the [[http://www.kyotomm.com/international/english/|International Manga Museum]] was closed already. Grrr....
-
-{{Pictures/vacation/japan_2009/Kyoto/Kinkakuji/00012.jpg|the golden temple of Kinkakuji|maxwidth=800}}
-
-==== x264 goodness ====
-
-I re-encoded all videos from MJPEG, the crappy native format of my Canon camera, to x264 (aka MPEG4).
-Firefox 3.1/3.5 still doesn't grok it with the ##video## tag, but I didn't have a
-[[http://theora.org/|Theora]] encoder installed.
-
-=== April 20th ===
-
-==== Best hostel ever ====
-
-The [[Pictures/vacation/japan_2009/Kyoto/Utano_Hostel|Utano hostel]] in Kyoto would rival many
-five star hotels I've seen. Sorry I couldn't take any photos in the [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Onsen | Onsen]].
-
-{{Pictures/vacation/japan_2009/Kyoto/Utano_Hostel/00005.jpg|the hostel provides a traditional goan too|maxwidth=800}}
-
-==== Impressive station ====
-
-The [[Pictures/vacation/japan_2009/Kyoto/Shin_Kyoto|Kyoto station]] is an impressive modern building,
-worth a visit by itself.
-
-{{Pictures/vacation/japan_2009/Kyoto/Shin_Kyoto/00015.jpg|Anime characters by Osamu Tezuka|maxwidth=640}}
-
-==== Shinkansen tour ====
-
-In a jounery report, the details of transportation are usually left out as uninteresting.
-Except if one takes the fastest train in the world! We took the
-[[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/T%C5%8Dkaid%C5%8D_Shinkansen|Tokaido Shinkansen]] line from Odawara to Kyoto,
-riding on a [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/700_Series_Shinkansen|700-series]] train for the
-[[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hikari_%28Shinkansen%29|Hikari]] service (not the faster
-[[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nozomi_%28train%29|Nozomi]], but still very impressive).
-
-The ticket cost a whopping 11240 yen per person, and I'm not even getting a
-[[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Galaxy_Express_999|machine body]] with it! ;-)
-
-See [[Pictures/vacation/japan_2009/Shinkansen|the the photos]] and don't miss the
-[[Pictures/vacation/japan_2009/Shinkansen/00009-x264.avi|pass-through]] and the
-[[Pictures/vacation/japan_2009/Shinkansen/00011-x264.avi|on-board]] videos.
-
-{{Pictures/vacation/japan_2009/Shinkansen/00006.jpg|Shinkansen|maxwidth=800}}
-
-
-=== April 19th - Hakone day 2 ===
-
-{{Pictures/vacation/japan_2009/Hakone/FujiSanBernieSan.jpg|The Fuji-san (left) with Bernie-san (right)|maxwidth=1024}}
-
-We took the suggested touristic itinerary around the Hakone mountains which employs all sorts
-of transportation means: bus, cable train, rope way, cruise boat and bus again.
-
-Along the way, we could see the volcanic sulfuric vents and pools, the Ashi lake with its breathtaking
-view of the Fuji-san, the ancient cedar avenue, the old post, the detached palace gardens and the
-beautiful [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shinto_shrine|shinto jinja shrine]] of with its
-[[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Torii|torii]] diving in the lake.
-
-Of course, I took plenty of [[Pictures/vacation/japan_2009/Hakone/Trip|photos of the Hakone trip]].
-
-=== April 18th - Hakone ===
-
-{{Pictures/vacation/japan_2009/Hakone/Hostel/00008.jpg|Our japanese style room at the Senkyoro YH|maxwidth=1024}}
-
-We arrived in a small town near [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hakone,_Kanagawa|Hakone]]. I'll publish photos later.
-
-**Update**: [[Pictures/vacation/japan_2009/Hakone|photos of the hostel]] are now available.
-
-
-=== April 17th - Ghibli museum in Mitaka, Ginza ===
-
-{{Pictures/vacation/japan_2009/GhibliMuseum/00005.jpg|Robot from the ancient city of Laputa|maxwidth=800}}
-
-The museum was actually a bit of a disappointment, but maybe just because I had my expectations so high.
-Cameras weren't allowed inside, so I only took [[Pictures/vacation/japan_2009/GhibliMuseum|few photos]].
-
-In the afternoon, we walked around the shiny neighborhood of [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ginza|Ginza]].
-See the [[Pictures/vacation/japan_2009/Tokyo/Ginza|photos]].
-
-=== April 16th - Fish Market, Gardens, Tower of Tokyo, Temple ===
-
-{{Pictures/vacation/japan_2009/Tokyo/Tsukiji_Fish_Market/00013.jpg | Tsukiji Fish Market |maxwidth=800}}
-
-We had a very intense day where we visited a lot of places all around central Tokyo:
-
- * [[Pictures/vacation/japan_2009/Tokyo/Tsukiji_Fish_Market | Tsukiji Fish Market]] ([[http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3021.html|Japan Guide]])
- * [[Pictures/vacation/japan_2009/Tokyo/Hama_Rikyu_Gardens | Hama Rikyu Gardens]] ([[http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3025.html||Japan Guide]])
- * [[Pictures/vacation/japan_2009/Tokyo/Zojoji | Zojo-ji Temple]] ([[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zojoji|Wikipedia]])
- * [[Pictures/vacation/japan_2009/Tokyo/Tokyo_Tower | Tokyo Tower]] ([[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tokyo_Tower|Wikipedia]])
- * [[Pictures/vacation/japan_2009/Tokyo/Reiyukai_Temple | Reiyukai Temple]] ([[http://www.reiyukai.org/|official web site]])
- * [[Pictures/vacation/japan_2009/Tokyo/Imperial_Palace_Gardens | Imperial Palace Gardens]] ([[http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3017.html|Japan Guide]])
- * [[Pictures/vacation/japan_2009/Tokyo/Edo_Museum | Edo-Tokyo Museum]], which was already closed.
- We'll try again when we come back to Tokyo ([[http://www.edo-tokyo-museum.or.jp/english | official web site]])
-
-NOTE: photos still being uploaded, gomen nasai!
-
-Seeing so many beautiful things at such a high frequency might make one's head spin.
-In fact, this evening I've been dangerously close to faint in an [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Onsen | Onsen]],
-which was really scary because I had never lost consciousness before. I had walked all day with very little
-food and drink, which might have been part of the problem, but diving in thermal water for a long time has
-certainly triggered it. What a [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gaijin | gaijin]] who can't even take some
-hot water!
-
-{{Pictures/vacation/japan_2009/Tokyo/Zojoji/1.00011.jpg | Zojo-ji temple (left), Tokyo Tower (center), Bernie (right) |maxwidth=800}}
-
-=== April 15th - Skyscrapers everywhere ===
-
-Compared to Tokyo, every other city I had visited would seem dirty, old, boring and disorganized.
-I can't find the words to describe my amazement walking around this amazing city full of wonders.
-
-{{Pictures/vacation/japan_2009/Tokyo/Roppongi/TokyoMidtown/00023.jpg|Tokyo Midtown Gardenside seen from the Galleria building|maxwidth=800}}
-
-Photos for today:
- * [[Pictures/vacation/japan_2009/Tokyo/Shinjuku|Shinju-ku]] -- The district of the [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tokyo_Metropolitan_Government_Building|Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building]].
- * [[Pictures/vacation/japan_2009/Tokyo/Roppongi|Roppongi]] -- A rich district hosting modern art museums (Art Triangle) and night life ([[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roppongi|Wikipedia]])
- * [[Pictures/vacation/japan_2009/Tokyo/Pachinko|Pachinko]] -- Popular Japanese slot machines
-
-**Update**: now finished uploading the photos
-
-=== April 14th - Arrival in Tokyo ===
-
-{{Pictures/vacation/japan_2009/Tokyo/Sensoji_Temple/00081.jpg|The way to the Sensoji temple in Asakusa|maxwidth=800}}
-
-I couldn't resist grabbing a super-cheap round trip to japan, a place I've always wanted
-to visit. By "always", I mean: since when I was in kindergarten, watching great series
-like [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steel_Jeeg|SteelJeeg]] and [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mazinger_Z|MazingerZ]] on TV.
-My dad accepted to accompany me in this trip even though he wasn't particularly fond of Japan. Until now, that is!
-
-The first day was simply amazing, but I'm way to tired to tell a lot about it.
-The [[Pictures/vacation/japan_2009/Tokyo|many photos and videos]] that I'm still uploading will hopefully serve
-documenting this long day appropriately.
-
-NOTE: if you can't watch the videos embedded in the wiki, get yourself a recent browser featuring HTML5 or
-send me a patch adding support for old-style HTML video embedding.
-
-=== Negligent ===
-
-Yes, I've neglected to update this blog for a few months. This isn't because I had nothing
-to talk about. In fact, these months were quite intense, with a lot of notable events, including:
-
- * 2009 Jan: Visited the [[Pictures/vacation/EastCoast2008|East Coast]] with Silvia
- * 2009 Jan: Attended the [[Pictures/conf/XOCamp2009|XO Camp 2]]
- * 2009 Feb: Attended the [[Pictures/conf/Fosdem2009|Fosdem 2009]] with a few friends from Italy and SugarLabs colleagues
- * 2009 Feb: Visited
- [[Pictures/vacation/brussels_riga_stokholm_2009/Brussels | Brussels]],
- [[Pictures/vacation/brussels_riga_stokholm_2009/Riga | Riga]] and
- [[Pictures/vacation/brussels_riga_stokholm_2009 | Stockholm]] with Tommaso
- * 2009 Mar: Organized a small revival of [[SystemShockBBS]] with a few original users
- * 2009 Apr: Attended a meeting/miniconf in [[Pictures/conf/Bolzano2009|Bolzano]] with WalterBender
-
-I am currently back in Florence, trying to find a way back in the US.
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