Shopping in Iwakuni - Late August 2010

Waiting at a train crossing near Monzen Bridge. Every crossing has bells, lights and arms that come down, no matter how narrow the road. They are timed so that the side going out (if you're on the track when the bells begin to ring - which is always startling!) goes down later than the one approaching, so you can get off the track, but new cars cannot get on. Clever.


And there goes the local. Since the trains run so frequently (about every 10 min) you never have to wait long. Most trains here are usually 4 cars.

Looking over a lotus field toward the south end of MCAS Iwakuni (the Marine base where we live).


Closer view of lotus buds just opening. I always look forward to getting back to Japan in time to see lotus bloom in late August. Since there are so many fields here, it's spectacular!