Hotel Taihei Bekkan Matsuyama

... train, train to saijo, bus to the rope-way, rope-way up the side of the mountain, hike to Joju and an ice cream, we were finally ready to start the actual hike at around 9:40am.<br><br>The hike started off as a leisurely stroll down hill through beautiful fall foliage until we reached the low point between Joju and Yoakashi Pass. That was the beginning of the grueling hike up seemingly endless stairs to the top.<br><br>One of the things Ishizuchi is famous for are the ...

... There was also a stand that sold the most amazing fried chicken ever!<br><br>Another interesting point ( though once again not conducive of sleeping ) was that one of these giant shrines was being built right below our balcony. It should be mentioned that they also drum constantly the entire time the shrine is at home in the makeshift garage they built for it.<br><br>Anyway, despite all the noise and lack of sleep it was a very enjoyable weekend.<br>

So many things to tell, and so little time!<br><br>My first week of teaching in Hojo has been very very busy, and very interesting. I have come home everyday too tired to even check email (so sorry for lack of communication, guys!). That being said, I am hoping to become used to the teaching routine and get my energy ...

... and there is a massive parking lot overflowing with bikes. So, I decided I had to buy one and a couple of days ago I finally did! It's called "Tea Cup." It's a beautiful cream and brown beauty and I love her. So today I took a nice shot of her and road around snapping a few ( very few ) pictures of the neighborhood.<br><br>I plan to take more, but the thing is, when you are just a tourist somewhere it is a lot different than living there ...

... attract the fish...which I'm pretty sure is illegal in Canada??? Anyway, the lights and burning lantern thing attract the fish and the Cormorants catch them. When one of them is full ( apparently they can hold up to 16 fish ) the fisherman reals one of them in and sort of chokes them until they cough up the fish.<br><br>The boat got us quite close and I got a pretty nice video, which I will try to upload. It was a pretty amazing experience, even if questionably a little cruel.

... your hands without touching a tap and conserve water at the same time. Japanese people are so clever.<br><br>Anoyances:<br>-Drum practice every morning at 5am, right outside our window!!!<br>-Roosters: for those of you who followed my South America blog you know of my hate for these animals. Contrary to popular belife they DO NOT crow with the sunrise, they crow anytime they feel like, including the middle of the night. And not once, but many, many times.<br><br> <br>

... stunning as well. I`d timed my visit with the start of Golden Week, a period where most people in Japan stop working, and start travelling. I didn`t mind this so much, except when it came to bathing naked in the historic Dogo Onsen. Being a reserved English gentleman, I could think of better ways to spend an hour or two on a Sunday morning than sitting in scolding hot water, surrounded by starkers Japanese men with wet towels on their heads! I paid a bit extra to go in ...

Ashleigh's friend Claire came soon after we got back from Korea. Claire's another one of those military types (like John), but she lives in Northern Japan, near Hokkaido. She came down to visit us since both she and Ashleigh had free time. Her train came in the same day that we got back to Matsuyama from Korea. It actually worked out best that way since Ashleigh could then ...

... m just happy that she made it out. I met her at the bus/train station and she immediately helped me by acting as translator for obtaining a train pass. I'd been trying to get a train pass for a little over a week, but had never really succeeded due to my confusion when they talked super fast. Hell, most of it I didn't understand because I just don't speak Japanese. My mother spoke with the woman behind the counter, and 4 minutes later, I was the proud owner of one of the super hi-tech ...

... down from a skylight and falling on a bizarre scene. Around the edges women sit on tiny footstools washing themselves clean in front of little showers. That done, they immerse themselves in the amazing, hot mineral water of the central tub and sit staring at its centerpiece statuary or else do therapeutic exercises in the water. Some occasionally get out and repeat the soap ...