Thursday, 3. January 2008
-6°C + short skirt = goose bumps
carschti, 14:53h
03.01.2008 Nikko
The bell rang 5:25 this morning. We had to go up to catch the 7:22 shinkansen to Utsonomiya. I was soooo lucky on the shinkansen. Right after leaving Ueno station I could see Fuji-san with no clouds and clear blue sky.
We arrived at Nikko at 9:08. Too early to check into the hotel and so we planned to go to the lake and see the waterfall. Unfortunately the next bus was leaving 10:30. This would have ment to wait 1 1/2 hours at the train station. We changed the schedule and went for the temples. The temples are a must see.
A must try for europeans are the japanese version of the crepes. The are not better or worse than the french version, but completely diferent. The dough is as different as the filling is.Not speaking about the shape. The only thing which is the same are the hot plates.
During the visit of the temples I figured out 9 rules, which add to my puzzle.
1. Even when it´s cold, japanese don´t care. Especially the girls. Short skirts, no socks, only a thin jacket. -6 °C.
2. When it´s freezing legs with goose bumps are common.
3. When a holy fire is light up the girl with the shortest skirt stands closest.
4. If it´s cold, japanese use aluminium cans and plastic bags to feed the holy fire.
5. Holy smoke is sometimes very "Beppu".
6. Boys are dressed warmer than the female counterpart.
7. If it´s not cloudy, cold and windy and you see a couple with sunglasses - bet whenever you can and whatever you have in your wallet that they are american.
8. Some monks cheat. Tourist have to take off their shoes when entering the temple, but the monks wearing warm lamb coat shoes.
9. Never ever press the "STOP at the next station" button twice in a row when you don´t want get off (and be the only guest in the bus)
Back from the temples we took a bath in the onsen. Perfect to end a day.
The bell rang 5:25 this morning. We had to go up to catch the 7:22 shinkansen to Utsonomiya. I was soooo lucky on the shinkansen. Right after leaving Ueno station I could see Fuji-san with no clouds and clear blue sky.
We arrived at Nikko at 9:08. Too early to check into the hotel and so we planned to go to the lake and see the waterfall. Unfortunately the next bus was leaving 10:30. This would have ment to wait 1 1/2 hours at the train station. We changed the schedule and went for the temples. The temples are a must see.
A must try for europeans are the japanese version of the crepes. The are not better or worse than the french version, but completely diferent. The dough is as different as the filling is.Not speaking about the shape. The only thing which is the same are the hot plates.
During the visit of the temples I figured out 9 rules, which add to my puzzle.
1. Even when it´s cold, japanese don´t care. Especially the girls. Short skirts, no socks, only a thin jacket. -6 °C.
2. When it´s freezing legs with goose bumps are common.
3. When a holy fire is light up the girl with the shortest skirt stands closest.
4. If it´s cold, japanese use aluminium cans and plastic bags to feed the holy fire.
5. Holy smoke is sometimes very "Beppu".
6. Boys are dressed warmer than the female counterpart.
7. If it´s not cloudy, cold and windy and you see a couple with sunglasses - bet whenever you can and whatever you have in your wallet that they are american.
8. Some monks cheat. Tourist have to take off their shoes when entering the temple, but the monks wearing warm lamb coat shoes.
9. Never ever press the "STOP at the next station" button twice in a row when you don´t want get off (and be the only guest in the bus)
Back from the temples we took a bath in the onsen. Perfect to end a day.
... comment
