Soaking It All Up

Original airdate: April 19, 2007

Konnichi-wa! When we last left our heroines, they were about to run laundry at their eco-friendly, New Age-y youth hostel.

And now, Episode 2 of The Adventures of Yumiko and Eden in Japan...

At last the weather gods smile upon our intrepid heroines, blessing them with a beautiful spring day. They take advantage of the warmth and blue skies by renting bicycles and cycling part of the Setouchi Shimanami Seaway. Black kites (birds) soar overhead as they ride this scenic route consisting of ten bridges that connect six islands in the Seto Inland Sea. The journey is easy on the eyes, but hard on certain areas of the body that are best left unmentioned.

Though forced to walk bowlegged for the rest of the day, Eden and Yumiko manage to visit Imabari and Matsuyama castles and to stagger up the steps of Isaniwa Shrine.

All of this exertion surely warrants a soak in the famous hot springs of Dogo Onsen Honkan. Of course, this involves public nudity, the thought of which traumatizes Eden to the point of near-catatonia. Still, she is determined to experience this aspect of Japanese culture, so she dumps her dignity, sucks in her stomach, and marches right into the onsen.

As our heroines soothe their tired muscles and aching unmentionables in the healing waters, Eden composes haiku in honor of Matsuyama, which lays claim to a famous haiku poet. Here is one of her 17-syllable efforts (free-form, not classical):

Warm is the toilet seat

Hot is the tea

Ice cold is the beer

Thank you

Tune in for Episode 3, when Eden and Yumiko party with Yumiko's relatives.

As always, fan mail is much appreciated.

© Eden Feuer