Jen reading manga out-loud

So 岩国 (Iwakuni) Youth Hostel has one computer. It's an IBM running Windows 98. The screen makes my eyes hurt. But I'm not complaining! I get internet, which means I can update for all of you.

Today was a long day. I'm really tired. We checked out of 松山 (Matsuyama) Youth Hostel around 10. They told us the next ferry was at 12 so we got a move on. Lily and Jen had to mail some gifts to relatives and family friends in Japan, so we dropped by the 郵便局 (post office) on the way out. That took a little longer than expected, but it all worked out.

We caught a tram down to 松山市駅 (Matsuyama city station). From there we just barely made it onto a train to 高浜 (Takahama). Then we caught a bus from there to the 港 (minato, or port). We were really excited when we got a student discount on our ferry tickets. We saved ￥７００! Because all the trams, trains, and buses were timed perfectly (and by no effort of our own), we made it with a good half hour to spare.

The guy at the 高浜駅 (Takahama station) was really nice. I'd misplaced my ticket in one of my pockets (I later found it in my right butt cheek pocket) and couldn't find it. I explained what was going on and he said, `Well, you probably bought one, so I'll let you through, but next time don't lose it!` It was really kind of him.

The ferry ride was uneventful. I thankfully didn't get sick. We spent the first hour above deck in the sun. It was really windy and cold, but it was worth it to not get ill. The last half of the trip we went inside and I slept. It was a good nap. I'm glad I got it, or I wouldn't have had much fun for the rest of our travel today.

From the ferry we took a tram to 広島駅 (Hiroshima station). That was interesting. It got really crowded! I haven't seen a train car that crowded since the morning rush hour in 東京 (Tokyo). From the station, we caught a train to 岩国 (Iwakuni). That took about an hour.

Once we hit 岩国 (Iwakuni), we hopped on a bus to 錦帯橋 (Kintaikyou). That was a long bus ride. Mind you, all this time we haven't eaten any kind of meal; just an onigiri here, pastry there. We were starving, but we couldn't stop yet. The check in time for the youth hostel was 6pm and we were only just going to make it. I wouldn't have worried too much if the proprietor hadn't called me earlier to confirm that we would be coming in at 6pm and asked me to call if we were going to change anything.

So once the bus got to 錦帯橋, we had another 10-15 minute walk. We did luck out though, because there were signs to the youth hostel! It's the first one to have signs leading you up the right path.

The location of this place is really nice. It's right up against the mountains. It's kind of in the middle of nowhere, so it takes a while to get to a station, but it's very peaceful.

錦帯橋 is actually a famous bridge. It's pretty cool. Today, right under it, they were filming something for a TV movie. The lights they set up to film cast this shadow of the bridge onto the mountains behind it. It looks really cool. I tried to get a photo, but it was too far away and too dark. Sorry.

Anyway, we're finally at 岩国 Youth Hostel. The lady is very nice, but she runs a tight shift here. There7s a 門限 (curfew) and specific time limits on most things here, like showering and laundry. She also asks that you inform her of your plans for the day and the general time you'll be returning. It's like I've got a mom. She's pretty friendly though, so I like her.

After we dropped off our stuff we walked the round-about way (because the bridge was closed for walking due to the filming below it) to the Seven Eleven. We got 弁当 (bentou) at discount for dinner and ate them on the wall outside the place. We scarfed that stuff down. It probably wasn't actually as good as it tasted in the moment, but it was food!

Tomorrow we're going to go see 宮島 (Miyajima) and then spend the rest of the day exploring 岩国. I need to find some old buildings to take pictures of. The reason we stopped here is because my grandma lived here when she was younger, right after the war ended. When I first started talking about coming to Japan, every time I'd go over she'd pull out the atlas and point out 岩国. I want to see if I can get some pictures that she recognizes. It's kind of cool to think I could be walking someplace she did 50 years ago.

Begin here kind of makes me miss home.

後１１日間.

Love until later,

Caitlin D.