X-Git-Url: https://codewiz.org/gitweb?p=wiki.git;a=blobdiff_plain;f=blog%2F2009%2FApril;h=17068a0fbc78bd8cb3b8ca926c07bf3bdcdf416a;hp=2ddd295f433b9b3c0deb6ab276f9d486536f7704;hb=bd81967be9ae6476cda3d000accff9606fc28f44;hpb=87b8623715959be71fbd5958299cef2e92a3f053 diff --git a/blog/2009/April b/blog/2009/April index 2ddd295..17068a0 100644 --- a/blog/2009/April +++ b/blog/2009/April @@ -1,5 +1,220 @@ == Bernie's brain backup of April 2009 == +=== Arpril 24th -- 1 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 indeed! + +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 -- Kyoto last day === + +We visited a few more places: + + * Hmmm... + +=== April 22nd === + +==== 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/NijojoCastle|Nijojo castle]], which is actually two castles for the price of one; + * a quick tour of the [[Pictures/vacation/japan_2009/Kyoto/KyotoDowntown|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/UtanoHostel|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/UtanoHostel/00005.jpg|the hostel provides a traditional goan too|maxwidth=800}} + +==== Impressive station ==== + +The [[Pictures/vacation/japan_2009/Kyoto/ShinKyoto|Kyoto station]] is an impressive modern building, +worth a visit by itself. + +{{Pictures/vacation/japan_2009/Kyoto/ShinKyoto/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 @@ -16,18 +231,3 @@ to talk about. In fact, these months were quite intense, with a lot of notable * 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. - - -=== Tue, April 14th - Tokyo === - -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/Tuesday_April_14|photos and videos]] I'm still uploading hopefully -document it appropriately. - -NOTE: if you can't watch the videos in the wiki, get a recent browser featuring HTML5 or send me a patch -to add support for old-style HTML video embedding.