X-Git-Url: https://codewiz.org/gitweb?p=wiki.git;a=blobdiff_plain;f=blog%2F2009%2FApril;h=a5a2f7913d0a061cb6479416326bd7107778f9f5;hp=04cd02af45ccb1260ec61869911e2e53caa1e95a;hb=b5fab1af8b4f2d7773c205bd5263ef20638aed97;hpb=6f7726ad0367b9aa70d0b66795c1f968e73f803b diff --git a/blog/2009/April b/blog/2009/April index 04cd02a..a5a2f79 100644 --- a/blog/2009/April +++ b/blog/2009/April @@ -1,6 +1,69 @@ == Bernie's brain backup of April 2009 == -=== April 21th ==== +=== 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. + +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 tell +their personal stories with the help of black and white photographs and melted items +from the museum. + +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! + +{{http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b0/Gambaku_Dome_of_Hiroshima.jpg}} + +=== 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 ==== @@ -35,7 +98,7 @@ five star hotels I've seen. Sorry I couldn't take any photos in the [[http://en 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|Welcome to Kyoto!|maxwidth=800}} +{{Pictures/vacation/japan_2009/Kyoto/ShinKyoto/00015.jpg|Anime characters by Osamu Tezuka|maxwidth=640}} ==== Shinkansen tour ====