Archive for October, 2007

Hiroshima/Miyajima

Wednesday, October 31st, 2007

Big day in Hiroshima and Miyajima today. I started off with a trip to what they call "The A-Bomb Dome." It's the famous building that was still standing after the U.S. dropped the first atomic bomb on Hiroshima. Other buildings were left standing, by the way, but they were all demolished ...

Random Musings from Hiroshima

Tuesday, October 30th, 2007

I managed to snatch dinner before they could snatch it back out of my hands. I swear, these department stores just up and close at the drop of a hat. And they have confusing hours. For example, the food stores in the basement close at 8 p.m. The main stores ...

Chipped Teeth on Rye.

Tuesday, October 30th, 2007

I made it to Hiroshima just now. And I somehow managed to chip one of my front teeth on a sandwich. A sandwich. A soft, chewy, delicious sandwich. Dammit. Now I've got this rough spot on my teeth that I can't stop rubbing with my tongue. Now my tongue is sore. ...

Rub-a-dub

Tuesday, October 30th, 2007

Figured I'd mention this while I could still remember it. I just went down to the baths in the basement of the hotel. Okay, you know how you always hear, "Be careful, the baths in Japan are really hot!" you think, "Yeah, right." At least I did. Until now. Man, those baths ...

From Kyoto to Nara

Monday, October 29th, 2007

For my last night in Kyoto (which was... last night), I went back to... yes, Isetan's 11th floor. This time I went back to my chicken and pizza places for a second raid. Mmm... of course, later that night my stomach paid me back in spades. Ah well. That's why ...

Another Big Day in Kyoto

Sunday, October 28th, 2007

Another busybusy day. Not as good as yesterday, but yesterday was hard to beat. I started off my day by doing laundry at 7:30am. Doing laundry in Japan is kind of handy. I say "kind of" because it has its limits. You see, most coin-operated washers have the detergent built-in, so ...

Secret of Bumpy Yellow Things Revealed!

Sunday, October 28th, 2007

I figured it out at the bus terminal this morning when I saw a blind guy use the grooves to lead his cane around. Pretty handy, and now I feel bad about being angry. If you have to be blind somewhere, Japan should be the place for it, because those ...

Nasty Crunchy Yellow Things; Wait Your Turn; Keep Left

Saturday, October 27th, 2007

Whee... So, now my nightcap report. After I got back and crashed for a couple of hours, I recharged and headed back to Kyoto Station and Isetan's 11th floor. FYI-- The mall stores and the stores in Isetan in Kyoto Station close at 8PM, and the restaurants are all closed at 9PM. ...

North Isn’t Always Up, and Other Important Things.

Saturday, October 27th, 2007

Wow. Totally wiped out. I saw a bunch of stuff after all, in spite of a persistent light rain that wasn't more than annoying. For starters, I headed out to the subway and then grabbed a bus to Ginkakuji (the Silver Pavilion). On the bus ride there, I saw a great ...

It’s Raining Again…

Saturday, October 27th, 2007

Blerg. It's raining in Kyoto today, and it's supposed to rain all day.  I guess I'll head to the station and ask the information desk ladies for some ideas for things to do that won't get me soaked. I suppose I'll hit some temples/castles tomorrow then, and just do city ...