the devil likes it hot – steam season PART TWO.

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The next stop was the ‘brocade sash’ an architectural masterpiece. The ‘brocade sash’ is a five-arched wooden bridge at Iwakuni.

It is a must see ...

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the devil likes it hot – steam season PART ONE.

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We headed down south to the sizzling & boiling landscape of Kyushu. The road led us along the coast line. I saw the little restaurant just of the road next to a tiny harbour. It looked like lunchtime!

Hiroko explained me that it’s one of the famous ouster places you can find in this prefecture. What an amazing ouster lunch!

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the smelly glove ...

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Miyajima Island & The Great Torii

the arrival.

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I love him ...

but it looks like he doesn't like me!?

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Miyajima is an impressive & spiritual place. It is permitted to give birth or to die on the island even felling trees is forbidden. That’s why is covered in virgin forest that provides a shelter for various birds. And not to forget the all and everything eating deers who are mainly nicking all the snacks from the tourists & sucking towels and tablecloths.

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The Torii seems to float in front of the Shrine. The Itsukushima Shrine complex is built on stilts during high tight is the structure surrounded by water. At low tide it is possible to walk to the Torii.

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It’s a beautiful place.

But let me start from the beginning …

I started my road trip on the 26.12.2009 at 3:25 in the morning to get the highway discount and not to stuck in traffic … And I didn’t! A Japanese friend of mine joined me for the first 4 days. That was so good because she knew some of the places and for sure her Japanese skills are a bit better then mine.

The ride to Hiroshima was smooth and easy. The only problem & confusion I had where the speed limit signs … 50 & 80 km/h max???? Difficult to stick to that coming from the Autobahn culture with no limits!

°°°

The first stop was Hiroshima.

I guess I don’t have to explain a lot about it?

But I think it’s one of the places you have to see if you come to Japan. I didn’t know what to expect. Lots of feelings, expectations and images rushed through my mind when I made the decision to go there, trying to understand what happened in history.

When I finally arrived there everything felt different and almost unreal. The city looks like an ‘ordinary’ Japanese city with tall buildings, wide roads and lots of concrete. But it has a special vibe. You can find small streets, little restaurants and lovely spots along the river side.

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We went to the museum, the Peace Memorial and the Atomic Bomb Dome (the only building that resisted the blast) on the second day. It was a very intense and moving time listening to the volunteer guide who’s family got killed in the disaster …

He showed us the places where you still can see the silhouette of a person sitting on a step, leaning against the wall of a house. You can also see this evidence in the museum, but to see them as a part of the modern Hiroshima lets it appear as real history, nothing you have learned once in history class or read in a tourist guide. It’s there it’s tangible … it’s very sad.

I got to learn my lesson …

Now I know better.

03-01-2o1o:

Japan was one long infinite loop of cars. It seamed that the whole nation was escaping from the cities; like in any of those disaster films when everybody is trying to get somewhere save (you never understand where to).

The government decided to make a discount for the highway toll, because of the end of the holidays. Discount? Kind of joke-des ... I just received the bill 20.110 Yen >> 152 Euro!!!!

CRAZY …

So the decision is made NO CAR there are already too many!!

- it was different this time -

I have to say it was a very special & different Christmas and almost not existing. I stayed in Japan and worked until the holidays started on the 26.12 so actually until the usual Christmas is over. But some things never change. Dani set me on the mission to get me a tree for the silent time. So I went out on a hunt to get me a Christmas tree … I couldn’t believe my self, but here he is the little fellow.

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He did an amazing job.

I spend the evening of Boxing Day with a friend of mine; cooking a traditional German meal and unwrapped the far travelled presents. The scent of Glühwein hovered in the air and the little bonsai tree sparkled with his on and only Christmas bauble. So the x-mas atmosphere wasn’t lost at all …

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