/Hiroshima

I am a big fan of the lost in translation signs, starting with the etiquette don'ts on the subway:




... to the tourist information signs at Miyajima Island:





But the most memorable Hiroshima experience was undoubtedly the Peace Memorial Park (the Peace Memorial Museum being the highlight). It was both educational and reverent. Highly recommended albeit the sombreness.




And topped off with oishii okonomiyaki:

/Osaka

Arrived feeling slightly haggard in chilly Osaka.

Jetstar flight was not very pleasant: air-conditioning was pumped up to the max; witnessed first hand an old lady throwing up her spaghetti & meatballs (let me tell you, the gay steward was not happy about that projectile motion).

Then the correlation between the 2 dawned upon me: air con up, smelly cabin down.

Watched 7 episodes of 30 Rock (so funny! had to gag myself. thanks Gregan). Didn't managed to get much sleep. Everything attempt at leaning on those malleable head rest things was disconcertingly rebuffed. The damn head rest things kept giving way. I think the weight of my head was working against me.

Heading straight to Hiroshima tomorrow morning (at 6am). Meanwhile, a few of my fave familiar Japanese things: a) stumped (again) by the train system; b) massage chairs; c) vending machine katsu curry; d) vending machines with lost in translation drinks; and e) my all time fave (along with bidets and those funny anti-smoking campaigns) the return of the fogless mirror!







Off to bed ... need to get up in a few hours.

/start Japan

This blog needs some defibrillation ... stat!

Doing last minute packing before my midday flight to Osaka, Japan, including packing BYO dinner - courtesy of the general no service/dinner policy at Jetstar.

I have been listening to my Japanese 101 podcasts on my iPod. At least time around, I can say "mama" (meaning average). Probably won't be of much use since most things are above average over there, including the bidets!

So stay tuned ...