I am so beat right now. It took every ounce of strength in me to get out from under the コタツ (kotatsu) and come down the stairs to write this. I didn't sleep so well last night. The 布団s (futons) in this place are not very good, and neither are the blankets. It got really cold last night. I'd go to sleep, start freezing, and curl up in a ball. Then when I'd been sleeping on one side too long and my hip started to hurt from the hard floor, I'd stretch out, but after being curled up for so long the blanket at the foot of the bed froze. Needless to say I didn't get too much sleep.
I woke up around 7:30 to get a shower. Jen and Lily didn't bring towels with them. Up till now, it hadn't been a problem, but this hostel doesn't provide them. They ended up using mine after I was done. I kind of like the traditional style baths though. The bucket of rinse water is so satisfying when you splash it over your head. Makes me feel like I'm a 5 year old playing in the bath tub again.
At 10 we took off for 宮島(Miyajima). It was a chill day. We took our time and explored the island. Not only do they have the 神社 (Jinja), but they have the world's largest rice scooper, as well. They also have a number of tasty foods. I ate so much today. They have these little leaf shaped donuts with a filling of your choice in it. Those were fantastic. They also have these long fish cakes. I got one with asparagus in it and a strip of bacon wrapped around. It was tasty. The island is also known for its かき (oysters), so at lunch time I had some かきフライカレーライス (fried oyster curry rice). It was really good.
I also found this really delicious cherry honey. I can't wait to use it in drinks and cooking!
Anyway, the island was fun and relaxing. There was a photo op for a traditional wedding going on while we were there. Jen, Lily and I oggled. The tradition is so beautiful, but it's something we will never be able to experience first hand. Kind of strange to think you'll never be able to do something. Me climbing Mt. Everest might be unlikely, but there's still a slim chance it could happen. Me having a traditional Japanese wedding... 無理だよ (muri da yo- impossible).
After the island we were pretty tuckered out. Lily had the same restful night I did. We decided to just come back to the Youth Hostel and chill. We watched some olympics and variety shows while playing an epic game of monopoly. I normally hate monopoly, but I realized today that the only reason I hate it is because I get invested. Tonight I was just too tired to get invested in it, so it was fine. I got tired of playing after maybe 3 hours and conceded to Jen.
And now I'm here, exercising great determination and will power to sit in this cold room on this old computer squinting like a retard.
Oh! I guess there's some more to last night, as well. After I posted my blog we were just chilling in this common room for a while. There's this giant pink baby 鬼 (oni- demon) stuffed animal. It's adorable. Jen and I did a whole photo shoot with it. The photos of it will be up on Facebook after I get home.
Tomorrow we move to the 広島 (Hiroshima) Youth Hostel for our last night. We're probably just going to explore the city tomorrow. The day after that we're going to the Peace Park and then catching a night bus home.
Definitely have to get some 広島 (Hiroshima) style お好み焼き (okonomiyaki).
But for right now I'm gonna crash. We're putting two of the three beds together tonight so we can huddle for warmth. I hope I don't get kicked. I might take abuse from the floor over abuse from Jen or Lily hahaha.
Also! I saw a few 太鼓 (taiko) for sale on 宮島 (miyajima). They were all kind of sizes. The barrels weren't carved from one tree trunk-- just regular barrels glued together. The largest one, however, was interesting. If you looked closely at the skin on the top, it still had little tiny hairs in the skin! I thought it was interesting.
I miss taiko.
Soon.
Love until later,
Caitlin D.
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