Wed morn ferry to Matsuyama. Thurs Buppu. Fri & Sat Mt Aso. Sun Nagasaki. Mon Fukuoka. Tues back to Hiroshima.
楽しみ！
27 April 2009
Kyushu Trip!
Mum and Dad in Japan now. Spent today in Kyoto. Himeji Castle tomorrow before I meet them at Hiroshima Station tomorrow night.
12 April 2009
50000 times
That's probably about how many times the wheels on my bike turned around today. From Hiroshima City, took Route 2 past Higashi-Hiroshima, turned off to Takehara (about 55 km), went back around the coast to Kure (back towards Hiroshima-- another 40 km or so). Caught the ferry home after JR telling me they don't allow large, unfoldable, uncovered bicycles on their trains.
Here's a map of my trip. Left at 12:30 lunch time, took some breaks along the way, arrived Kure at about 6:30 pm. So, 100 km in 6 hours is about what's doable for me on a bike with some hills, light load, small amount of wind, good weather.
Here's a map of my trip. Left at 12:30 lunch time, took some breaks along the way, arrived Kure at about 6:30 pm. So, 100 km in 6 hours is about what's doable for me on a bike with some hills, light load, small amount of wind, good weather.
20 March 2009
Unaccepted Gifts & Funny Bananas
Well, it's 20 March today, which means a public holiday in Japan, celebrating the equinnox. Friday is a holiday for me anyway.
As I remember last year, the cold winter ended almost right on 20 March, and, just a few days ago, (after 2 degrees last Saturday), the temperature got a heat boost and we are now experiencing spring weather! It's so nice, and I'd say we won't get any more cold temps until next winter in October.
And, this time of year also means cherry blossoms! Japanese people just love them, and I do to, so I'll try grab a few pics.
The Japanese school year is April to March, which means this we had graduation. Primary School Grad was on last Sunday, and Kindergarten the day after. Even for Kindy, the grad is a big thing! After 3 years of kindy, it can be quite an emotional experience for kids and parents. A very nice occasion to conclude, remember and express appreciation.
Now, to the unaccepted gifts. David and I went for a bike ride two nights ago, just relaxingly cruizing around the rivers, enjoying the warmer, cool spring nights. We just felt like going to a Family Mart (like 7-Eleven) to buy something. Then I got the bright idea of buying something for the shop assistant.
Hmmm... so, got a little snack bar, bought it, and gave it to him. He didn't know what to do! He tried very hard to give it back to us and refuse the gift, but he was quite shocked, and almost panicked, so it seemed. Anyway, we left and he was left with the bar. I don't know what he did after. I think he probably ate it, but it probably didn't taste like a normal bar because of the apparently strange circumstances surrounding it.
And... bananas. They're always good food, so, on the way back from our bike ride, I stopped at some "open late" fruit stall and remembered I wanted to buy bananans. So, bought 200 yen bananas and gave the lady 250 yen, who, reluctantly accepted it.
David and I kept riding, found our favourite spot, swapped bikes and rode aroundin circles for a bit. I put the bananas on the edge of a wall and forgot to get them after we'd finished our little exercise.
Got back home, went up stairs and then remembered the bananas! Oh, well, in Japan, people don't usually steal things, so I thought I'd go back and get them in the morning, as long as the crows or ants hadn't gotten too excited about it.
Anyway, got up in the morning and forgot about the bananas, but then, lo and behold, the bananas were in the letter box! How on earth did they get there! Well, I thought David must have gone back to pick them up for me and left them there...
After talking with David, he said that the bananas were in his bike basket and that I hadn't left the bananas behind after all! I'd just left them in the bike basket downstairs from our apartment!
Funny bananas!
As I remember last year, the cold winter ended almost right on 20 March, and, just a few days ago, (after 2 degrees last Saturday), the temperature got a heat boost and we are now experiencing spring weather! It's so nice, and I'd say we won't get any more cold temps until next winter in October.
And, this time of year also means cherry blossoms! Japanese people just love them, and I do to, so I'll try grab a few pics.
The Japanese school year is April to March, which means this we had graduation. Primary School Grad was on last Sunday, and Kindergarten the day after. Even for Kindy, the grad is a big thing! After 3 years of kindy, it can be quite an emotional experience for kids and parents. A very nice occasion to conclude, remember and express appreciation.
Now, to the unaccepted gifts. David and I went for a bike ride two nights ago, just relaxingly cruizing around the rivers, enjoying the warmer, cool spring nights. We just felt like going to a Family Mart (like 7-Eleven) to buy something. Then I got the bright idea of buying something for the shop assistant.
Hmmm... so, got a little snack bar, bought it, and gave it to him. He didn't know what to do! He tried very hard to give it back to us and refuse the gift, but he was quite shocked, and almost panicked, so it seemed. Anyway, we left and he was left with the bar. I don't know what he did after. I think he probably ate it, but it probably didn't taste like a normal bar because of the apparently strange circumstances surrounding it.
And... bananas. They're always good food, so, on the way back from our bike ride, I stopped at some "open late" fruit stall and remembered I wanted to buy bananans. So, bought 200 yen bananas and gave the lady 250 yen, who, reluctantly accepted it.
David and I kept riding, found our favourite spot, swapped bikes and rode aroundin circles for a bit. I put the bananas on the edge of a wall and forgot to get them after we'd finished our little exercise.
Got back home, went up stairs and then remembered the bananas! Oh, well, in Japan, people don't usually steal things, so I thought I'd go back and get them in the morning, as long as the crows or ants hadn't gotten too excited about it.
Anyway, got up in the morning and forgot about the bananas, but then, lo and behold, the bananas were in the letter box! How on earth did they get there! Well, I thought David must have gone back to pick them up for me and left them there...
After talking with David, he said that the bananas were in his bike basket and that I hadn't left the bananas behind after all! I'd just left them in the bike basket downstairs from our apartment!
Funny bananas!
28 January 2009
25 January 2009
Cold & Run Out
Just got back from the good ol' 7-eleven shop. More about that later...
Today is probably the coldest day I'll experience in Hiroshima. Got down to minus 2 this morning, snow falling at different intervals throughout the day with a max of 2.4. Doesn't get much colder than that in the city here. Of course, colder in the country side and mountains. But, didn't seem that cold since I was inside with good heating most of the time. Went for a bit of a bike ride with David in the afternoon, but didn't get that cold.
Spent too long in my room tonight in front of the heater using my computer. Was doing a little chart on Japanese history as well as looking at the history of Christianity in Japan. It's interesting. But, was couped up too much, thinking too hard, and got a headache! Still have it. But, after getting up and finding there was something missing, I had to replace it.
Well, the missing item is essential and is what I bought at 7-eleven. Well, I found the toilet paper easy enough and made my purchse. Didn't need to lock the apartment since that shop is so close (1 min bike ride). And, in Japan, people just don't seem to brake in much or steal things! I don't know why, but it's great! May it continue.
Today is probably the coldest day I'll experience in Hiroshima. Got down to minus 2 this morning, snow falling at different intervals throughout the day with a max of 2.4. Doesn't get much colder than that in the city here. Of course, colder in the country side and mountains. But, didn't seem that cold since I was inside with good heating most of the time. Went for a bit of a bike ride with David in the afternoon, but didn't get that cold.
Spent too long in my room tonight in front of the heater using my computer. Was doing a little chart on Japanese history as well as looking at the history of Christianity in Japan. It's interesting. But, was couped up too much, thinking too hard, and got a headache! Still have it. But, after getting up and finding there was something missing, I had to replace it.
Well, the missing item is essential and is what I bought at 7-eleven. Well, I found the toilet paper easy enough and made my purchse. Didn't need to lock the apartment since that shop is so close (1 min bike ride). And, in Japan, people just don't seem to brake in much or steal things! I don't know why, but it's great! May it continue.
23 January 2009
New Year Holiday 2009
Photos on Picasa:
http://picasaweb.google.com/bradwarden/NewYearHolidays2009
Photos with narration on YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0gd6_L2wkHI
http://picasaweb.google.com/bradwarden/NewYearHolidays2009
Photos with narration on YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0gd6_L2wkHI
11 January 2009
First Work Day
Well, caught the overnight bus back from Kyoto this morning to Hiroshima to start work in a couple of hours. Really nice time in Kyoto. Stayed at a nice youth hostel in Utano (north Kyoto), went for a hot bath in the city, visited Heian Jingu and saw a bit of culture in Gion. Gion has a nice tradtional and cultural feel about it. Old-style buildings, people dressed in kimono, nice restaurants, and last night it was snowing a bit too.
So, made it back from the Australia trip. Now, after the terrible overnight bus trip (not good sleep), I'm surprisingly energetic! I don't' know why... it's Sunday morning and start of work... anway. Nice to be feeling good to start work. Only a 1 hour class today and tomorrow's a holiday, but then Tuesday it all starts.
So, happy new work year! Let's see what this year brings.
So, made it back from the Australia trip. Now, after the terrible overnight bus trip (not good sleep), I'm surprisingly energetic! I don't' know why... it's Sunday morning and start of work... anway. Nice to be feeling good to start work. Only a 1 hour class today and tomorrow's a holiday, but then Tuesday it all starts.
So, happy new work year! Let's see what this year brings.
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