X-Git-Url: https://codewiz.org/gitweb?p=wiki.git;a=blobdiff_plain;f=blog%2F2009%2FApril;h=5978b429931f3ba4d59082ef5798784eb891b1dd;hp=938f6d735f8845ebcdc34a01972e69fd5368b9a0;hb=96253153400fa8a9020e3ca325ce0e4cd8b7a859;hpb=dbff0f63f493c5cc93364d5c7263e3b238b9897e diff --git a/blog/2009/April b/blog/2009/April index 938f6d7..5978b42 100644 --- a/blog/2009/April +++ b/blog/2009/April @@ -1,5 +1,44 @@ == 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 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 -- Kyoto last day === + +We visited a few more places: + + * Hmmm... + === April 22nd === ==== Food ==== @@ -19,11 +58,18 @@ My favorite food so far is [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Omurice|Omurice]]. Ye 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]]. -{{Pictures/vacation/japan_2009/Kyoto/Ryoanji/00016.jpg}} - === April 21st ==== ==== Great temples everywhere ====