Hiroshima - Day 2

Good morning, Hiroshima

I set off to get a hat. It would be useful for today's trip. Miho gave me a tip last night that Don Quijote might have one. 05:00. Alright, it's really early for the opening time, but oh well, I hold German standards. I set off, knowing well enough that I can do without the navigation at the beginning. When I look at my navigation after 10 minutes, I am a bit irritated. The store only opens at 10:00. But why? I check Miho's message. There is a difference between 'from' and 'to'. Regardless of how, I am amazed that a department store is open from 10:00 in the morning until 5:00 in the morning.

I walk back towards the hotel, Robbie Williams and Nicole Kidman playing in my headphones. 'Something Stupid'. I don't know why, but the music creates a mood that suits the waking environment through which I am strolling. On the left side, I recognize a homeless person, the only one in this area. He is wrapped in potato chip bags to protect himself from the nightly cold. So far, I had only seen two other homeless people; one sleeping in Tokyo right after my arrival. And one in Kyoto. The latter was wrapped in countless plastic shopping bags that you get pushed on you with every purchase at 7/11.

Let's go to the beach

'Can we go swimming?' None of us expected this question. Mc Charming has been walking around in beach clothes the whole time, so this question fits quite well.
'Yes.', Miho answers him after a brief thought. Sam immediately goes to get his swimming trunks from the room. 'But it's too cold!', Miho quickly adds.
Without turning around or slowing down, the dry and accented response is: 'I'm Scottish!'

In the train heading south, we get pumped up again. We sing in the train, entertaining other passengers as a nice addition. Steven and Leaf have now joined our Tom-Rob singing team, only one name is missing so far. We have now put on Backstreet Boys. 'You are my fire!'
I want to try something. An exercise I learned in improv about trust. In this case, the exercise will also extend to the need for clear communication. It shows mutual respect when both sides have the same understanding.
I gesture to Rob that I would like to do a trust exercise with him. He should stretch out his hands, I want to do the acrobat grip with him so that we can drop each other backwards. I only explain half of it to him. I expect him to reach out his hands to me. While I wait, he closes his eyes and falls towards me. He is light, so nothing happens, but it was surprising nonetheless.

After an hour train ride, we arrive at the ferry and board it. It is only a ten-minute ride, including Titanic moments.

Arriving on the island, we settle in. The island is basically a wooded mountain with a village at the foot of the mountain. We set off and enjoy it. The group is getting smaller and smaller until only Steven the Australian and I are hiking together. It's truly the most beautiful hiking trail I have seen. On the way up, three things come across us.

1. Shrines. Shrines as far as the eye can see.
2. Japanese people greeting us friendly with Konichiwa. We greet back, making it a fun habit. We make way and let complete groups pass us, greet each individual.
3. I present Steven with a theory I picked up somewhere and which has proven to be very accurate so far. 'If there's a Deuter on your back, a German will push it.'
We are confirmed twice. The third time it's a Japanese person. We decide that he bought it in Germany.

Later, we find each other again, meet at the summit to enjoy the view. After a few nice group photos, we head towards the cable car. Somehow we get on the topic of 'Spirit Animal'.

Rob's Spirit Animal is a Red Panda. Yup, I can see that. Leaf explains that everyone has 3 Spirit Animals; for water, land, and air.
Leaf says her Spirit Animal is a hummingbird. I can see that too.
Rob realizes that Alex is a cat. Yup, there's photographic evidence.
I am asked what I am. Until now, I had the image of a wolf in my mind. Rob and Leaf don't see it that way. Leaf notes that there are also 'How do others see you?' and 'How do you see yourself?' animals.

The topic will occupy me for a while. 'How do others see you?' I realize that it also depends on the context. I will appear differently to others. Later, Leaf and Rob come to the conclusion that I am a Mircat, a meerkat. Alex agrees. Meerkat, that sociability. I can see this aspect. Especially in the context of the past seven days. However, it leaves me unsatisfied, I miss a definite answer for now.

On the way down, we take the cable car. We are adventurous, but also hungry. We definitely won't walk back. There are several drink vending machines in the train station. Rob gets water bottles for the group. Every time a bottle drops down, the machine plays a sequence of sounds. I look at Rob, he looks at me at the same time. Yup, 'Darude - Sandstorm'. We can't help ourselves, we perform our vending machine dance for the next 3 seconds. Eight times in a row. We are supplied, but unsatisfied. We haven't danced it all out yet. We have no choice but to rejoin the group in the line. While we approach the cable car step by step, Rob and I eagerly wait for someone to throw a few yen into the vending machine again. We shout, 'Someone please by a bottle of water!'. Our prayers are answered, a Japanese elementary school girl approaches the machine. We wait eagerly, hear the clattering of the bottle in the display, then it starts again. We dedicate our dance to the Vending Machine God, his shrines are scattered all over the country.

Arriving at the bottom, we marvel at the falling cherry blossom petals. The trees already looked great in bloom, but the falling petals add something extra. I am really happy. The right group at the right time; everything done right. The trees are in their splendor for maybe 2-3 weeks, they are relatively early this year. I booked the trip over 7 months ago, the tour dates were a bullseye. Yup, I am happy.
With a deep-fried oyster skewer in hand and the warm sand under my feet, we walk along the beach towards the ferry, back to the hostel.

With Attention to Detail

In the evening, we set off, Nohran has picked out a restaurant for us. Burgers. Americans. 😁 We agree and go with it, there are twelve of us. On the way there, Nohran tells me that she hopes there is enough space. The place looked small in the pictures.
When we stand in front of the restaurant, I get Dutch vibes; it is maybe 3 meters wide and built in depth. We go in, counting as we go. The restaurant has only ten seats. Two people volunteer to eat standing. I sit at the counter and ask about the Burger of the Month. 'Sauerkraut with sausages.' I decline graciously. 😅 I decide on the Chili Burger.
I let the craftsmanship of the cook impress me. There it is again, this magic of mindfulness and dedication. Lots of focus and even more attention to detail. He takes the avocado half, cuts it horizontally. Wow, good knife, good craftsmanship.
With the first bite, I realize that it is the best burger I have ever eaten. Not surprising with so much love involved.
I pay last when leaving, let him in on the 'best burger of my life'. The reserved friendliness typical here gives way to a satisfied glow.