miya jima

Our day in Miya Jima was rainy but enjoyable. We bought cheap umbrellas (the handles of which broke off before the end of the day) and strolled around the idyllic grounds of the town and shrine. It is a magical place, where tame deer roam the streets and the smell of cedars is overpowering. The famous Tori is anchored near the shore but has a floating quality as the waves gently lap against it. We took a cable car up the mountain and were only slightly disappointed that the view from the top was obscured by mist. The walk itself to the summit was invigorating.
Later that night we dined in Hiroshima and walked through the Peace Park with its A-Dome and monuments of peace and remembrance—one of our few contemplative moments.

Perhaps the highlight of the night was the train ride home. With a plastic bag full of “kingers” we attracted a lot of attention. A little Japanese man in his fifties gave up his seat so that we could all sit together. He looked like he really wanted to talk with us so we invited him to sit with us and have a beer. He took quite a shining to Moose and wanted to touch his legs and arms—get a feel for his girth and size. Moose handled the squeezing and groping with utmost composure but the rest of us were giggling uncontrollably. At one point the little man enthusiastically ripped off his jacket and invited Moose to square off with him in the aisle, sumo style. Thankfully Moose wouldn’t take the bait. After a few rounds of shaking hands, he reluctantly got off the train in Mihara. We could see him feverishly dialing a number on his cell phone, no doubt wanting to recount his adventure with gaijin to his family. As the train pulled away from the station he chased it, waving frantically with a huge grin spread across his face. Sayonara!!!!