My travel through

Japan from 2013-10-

02 until 2013-10-23. Introduction. Actually my journey began two years ago when I talked to the people of the peer group from Japan on the exchange of messages. Exciting for me was to see my buddies in person instead of a message through the mail or a photo. This would be the first time I could meet a peer in person. They invited me to come to Japan, which is extremely friendly. I didn't think about that very long, I have not thought about to tack. Such a journey to the other side of the world is obviously a major undertaking and should be well prepared. Months before my trip I already had been thinking about a lot of things like a good travel bag, my passport, ticket, clothes, money matters etc. What you can not forget is the Japan Rail Pass, this is a map that the controller at the gates must see. You should also order the Pass abroad because once in Japan you can't anymore. Furthermore, you should buy a ticket at a pay box to get your train tickets.

You should not run into unexpected things which you can not intercept. The thing I was most worried about was the communication. Which I had really hard to understand it all. Therefore it is recommended to what you say to tell in a quiet way. I'm not Japanese proficient and obviously they don't speak Dutch. My English is poor. But I always feel where there's a will there's a way. Moreover, I was lucky that I got good support which could be in English. Of course I have also spoken with the doctors in English. You hear a lot about Japan in recent years, the tsunami, earthquakes, issues around nuclear reactors at Fukushima. But of course, the country has to offer very much beauty. As the many temples, the world's largest Tsukiji in Tokyo. The original city of Kyoto is a feast for the eyes. Extremely friendly people that's for sure. For my trip was a wonderfully prepared schedule for 21 days and was asked what I wanted to do and see. Very difficult for a foreigner to judge what is beautiful if you do not live in the country, but in consultation with the Secretary of the WS patient group we had a nice program.

Day 1: wednesday the 2th October 2013

The first day of my holiday was a day when you realize that you're entering a different world where it's very different than what you're used to. Already days before my travel i had packed my bag and backpack before my departure, and at the last moment the last things. To be sure i had forgotten nothing i had to go through my checklist again to make sure that I have forgotten. Around 10:00 in the morning we drove to the airport by car. My plane left at 15:35 am and landed about 9:45 am the next morning. In the plane they asked if I wanted to fill two documents for immigration, which were tough questions because I had no information at hand about the whereabouts. The plane flew over Russia and had to deal with some turbulence causing the light belt to burn after the turbulance i arrived safely in Japan.

Day 2: Thursday the 3th October 2013

At 9:45 pm I arrived at Narita Airport in district Chiba, which is about 34 km southeast of Tokyo. After I picked up my luggage and went to the exit, Mrs. Masako Endo and Mr. Satoshi Tanaka were waiting for me with a sign with the name Mr. Roy on it. They both shouted very hard, "Mr. Roy".

But I had seen them earlier than the nameplate that they were carrying. After we had exchanged the JRP rail pass for another pass, and again for a ticket with the date. This all took quite some time but everything was in allright. Next we are going to drink a coffee and Mr. Satoshi and I had already doing some talking. Around 13:00 we went to a restaurant near Mrs. Endo house, where I first eat "Sasimi" with chopsticks. This is a fish dish of raw fish with soy sauce. I had to get used to the taste in the beginning, there are many flavors combined. The only thing I didn't eatable was the squid, which seemed as if you chew on elastic. Once at Mrs. Masako Endo home I was received with Japanese tea and we discussed about some things about my stay. Mrs. Endo didn't wanted a compensation for my stay. Fortunately I had brought a small gift for her, I could not come empty handed. It was a nice modest house in the suburb of Tokyo, and what struck me was that it seemed like I was on a boat because when i walked it seemed as if the floor was going up and down. This is done, of course, in case there is an earthquake.

By now I was pretty tired after almost 1 day without sleeping so I lie down for about 2 hours in bed. After I came down later Mrs. Endo asked if I wanted to go to do some shopping. This was as difficult for me to understand what Mrs. Masako Endo meant because she barely know English. We went to the the butcher and this were very friendly people and the wife of the butcher who started a little English could tell all interested to appoint me. After returning home, Ms. Endo made a delicious meal of salad, pork and bread put together. This was a very tiring day for me, mainly because of the hassles at customs Narita Airport. After a first shower I went to bed early that day. The bed was a thin mattress thickness of about 5 cm and I slept on the floor, when you are a Westerner bed who is accustomed to a good bed this was something else. But I was so tired that I fell asleep immediately anyway. The next day was a busy day on the program.

Weather: Today was mostly cloudy with sunshine. With 24 degrees.

Day 3: friday 4th October 2013

Around 7:55 there was a knock on the door of my room and asked Mrs. Endo asked if I could come down for breakfast. Because I had not given up all night sleep well I was too dazed to answer it. I got a nice breakfast from Mrs. Endo with lettuce, cheese, bread and coffee. After breakfast I showed her pictures I had brought on my Ipad. Sometimes she laughed at some pictures and in others she was very interested.

Around 10 o'clock, we first went to see a temple and after that we went to the supermarket, were you have three floors and the lower floor you should pay for everything. Mrs. Endo I told me I could choose some goodies and take home as a gift. At home in her house it seemed a good moment to give her my gift. This was a small mirror with the image of her deceased husband Hiroyuki with a duckling. She was very happy. Still, it was very difficult to communicate but I had the book What & How captured Dutch-Japanese. With this book we could communicate a little better. Around 12.00 o'clock pizza was delivered and a friend came to visit Mrs.Endo, a very friendly woman of the same age of Mrs. Endo who spoke good English. Two hours later we were going to walk through Tokyo and came through a park in the city center.

A little later we said goodbye a to this friend of Mrs. Endo. Later we went to do some shopping for the dinner that night. We arrived back at the local butcher and this time I got them free meat with. These people knew Mr. Hiroyuki Endo well and were familiar with the condition that I have, I could notice that.

Weather: Today was overcast with very light drizzle. A temperature of 23 degrees.

Day 4: Saterday 5th October 2013

After a night of rain and had a reasonably night I slept until 7.00 pm, the agreed time. The outlook for this day was not great at approximately 20 degrees and rain all day. Today's program was to visit the grave of Dhr.Hiroyuki Endo. Around 9:30 Mr. Satoshi Tanaka came to pick us up with his car. It was a longer ride than I expected but that could be because it was very busy on the road. Mr. Tanaka said that the Japanese royal couple arrived and therefore traffic must suffer from it. At the cemetery there was an occasion where you could drink and you could buy some flowers. This we have done and placed the flowers on the grave of Mr. Hiroyuki.

After the visit, we went to eat in a seafood restaurant where we had all kinds of seafood. It seemed like a long showcase with many different species, including octopus, mackerel, and salmon. We got a great deal, I was full very quickly, there was also a large snail in front of me but I didn't feel like eating anymore. The trip lasted just as long as the outward journey. At home we have gone through tomorrow's program because there was to be traveled to Kyoto by train. Mr. Satoshi told that we had to bring the right ticket. That afternoon i took a nap and then asked Mrs. Masako me to go grocery shopping. Perfectly natural. I have eaten sushi that night. Along with Japanese soup you should slurp. The intention is to hold the bowl with both hands. After dinner I went to take a shower and then I was pretty tired. The next day I had a tough trip and it seemed wise to go to bed on time. It has been raining all day, from night to night. Weather: this day it rained tough and it took to the night before it was dry.

Day 5: Sunday 6th October 2013

The day before we had agreed that I would get up at 6:30 and we meet Mr. Satoshi at a given location at the station in Tokyo. After breakfast me and Mrs. Masako went to the bus and after a ride we arrived at the station. When passed a piece with the underground and eventually we arrived at the agreed point where we meet the waiting Mr. Tanaka. The three of us walked to the gates for the train where we said goodbye to Mrs. Endo. After a look which platform we needed we first bought lunch that you can eat in the shinkasen train. After about 3 hours we arrived at Kyoto station. Since we had some time left Mr. Tanaka suggested to visit the national museum of modern art. There were beautiful paintings and photographs on the wall and I made some pictures of it. After this visit we took a taxi to the hotel where I could rest a few hours before we went to dinner. This hotel called Hotel Sunroute Kyoto where we would stay for 2 nights. At night around 20:00 there was the president of the WS support group to the hotel. His name is Mr. Saki Inoue, and he had difficulty with walking. Around 21:00 we went by taxi to a very expensive restaurant. Here the chefs stood for a long mess and you could see how the dishes were prepared. I have a very good memory about the meat, Kobe beef called. That was so delicious, I had never tasted anything before in my life.

After dinner we went back to the hotel, which was necessary because it was already about 23:00. This hotel called Hotel Sunroute Kyoto we would stay 2 nights.

Weather: It was oppressively hot today in the train but I did not bother but the bus and the walk was very hot. The temperature was about 27 degrees with sun shade and now and then.

Day 6: Monday 7th October 2013

The day began with breakfast at the hotel, that we started about 08.00. The previous day I had heard that it would be very hot so I decided to put on shorts. After breakfast we went with the specially modified car of Mr. Inoue to our first destination. This whole day Mr. Satoshi Tanaka has driven. Our first destination was a landscaped estate "Kinkakuji, the golden pavilion" culminating in the Rokuon-ji temple, the temple was completely covered with gold and lay in the middle of a large pond. Here Mr. Satoshi made many pictures of me and Mr. Inoue.

After this visit we went to see another temple with lots of souvenir shops. But because it was already 12.00 o'clock we went to lunch first. This time I ordered noodles, you have to eat this with chopsticks but first dipping it in the soy sauce. After dinner we visited the second temple. This temple was called the Kiyomizudera temple. This temple was different in color and just stood on the ground. At this temple we could take a close look inside. After we had seen this temple we went along the souvenirs and Mr. Inoue

asked me what things I wanted. I got a T-shirt, special handkerchiefs, and a certain kind of cabbage as gifts. Very kind of him. I wanted to give something back but he wanted nothing, he was intensely happy with the gift I had given him the day before. The next destination was the Sanjusangendo, national treasure temple where we arrived around 14:00 hours. Upon entry you must take off the shoes and it is forbidden to take pictures inside. Within 1001 Buddhist statues were drafted and prepared for these images were the 28 statues of the gods. Around 16:00 hours we finished the tour and we went to the mall Kyoto called Nisikiichiba. This was a very busy shopping center and there was many things to see. I was nauseous of all these different fish odors that hung around. Everywhere i looked i could see octopus, fish heads and even whale meat.

It had been 18.00 hours and Mr. Tanaka asked what I wanted to eat. Because those fishy smells I've had, I didn't want to go eat fish this time and I said, "give me potatoes". We went back to the parking lot and drove to a restaurant. Here I had eaten potatoes and a burger with cheese sauce. For once i did not mind because I had eaten so many fish and tofu. After dinner we went back to the hotel and after saying goodbye to Mr. Tanaka and Mr. Inoue who i would meet again with patients meeting on 20 October in Nagoya. Weather: this day it was in the morning mostly cloudy with a degree or 22. In the afternoon, the sun began to break through and it was quite hot. Luckily there was a little breeze occasionally.

Day 7: Tuesday 8 October 2013

This day we had to get up early because we had to catch the train from 10:30 to Tokyo. I got up at 6:30 am and at 7:00 am we had breakfast at the hotel. We went back by taxi to Kyoto station and when we arrived we went looking for a gift for Mrs. Masako Endo. After that we had a quick cup of coffee and then went to the high-speed train shinkasen. The trip took about two hours. After arriving at Tokyo Station, we had lunch in a restaurant. This time, I had an omelet with potatoes. After lunch we went to a fancy international hotel, again by taking the taxi. We had arrived for a meeting with Dutch people on healthcare in the Netherlands. After the meeting ended at 17.00 Mrs. Masako Endo was waiting for me after saying goodbye to Mr. Tanaka. Unfortunately I had no time to talk with the Dutch. Together we took the bus, hereafter we walked a bit and Mr. Tanaka leaved of us for 4 days. Mrs. Endo and I took the subway to her home and before we were there we went couple eating at a seafood restaurant. Once I got home I was pretty tired, especially by listening of the meeting which was spoken English. I didn't take a picture this day because my charger in my suitcase in the house of Mrs. Endo. Weather: this day was hot, In the morning it was already 27 degrees in the afternoon it was over 30 degrees. The sun seemed nice. Fortunate that the meeting was inside.

Day 8: Wednesday 9th October 2013

This day I once could take it easy, Mrs. Masako again had a nice breakfast and I was up at 07.30 pm on the previous days that was different. I immediately could see the weather forecast on television and it would be a hot day around 28 degrees. I had a little cough by the alternation of cold to hot. Outside it was warm while inside such as buses and subways everywhere turned the air conditioners. Around 10:30 we left for the bus stop. After we have some regulated by the post office we went to a shopping area near Asagaya. Here is one of the world's tallest building, called the Skytree. We went to a government building in which we had a view on the Skytree.

It was said that there are 100 days in a year that you can see Mount Fuji. But unfortunate it was today too clouded to see. After the tour we went back to the bus and we have been done some shopping and back to the butcher. Yet quite unfortunate that Mrs. Masako Endo and I can communicate so difficult. Now there are some short words and I wouldn't dare to speak whole sentences English to her because I know she does not understand it. At night we had a dish with beans and carrot in beef rolled potato, rice, fruits, and misu soup (fish soup). Very good food again. The day flew by like every day so far. Weather: fortunately there was a nice breeze because of the hurricane that passed otherwise it was very hot. The temperatures are above 20 degrees.

Day 9: Thursday 10 October 2013

After having eaten breakfast we walked to the Asagaya subway station to go to the Skytree. Mrs. Endo dared not go up and waited for me on the ground floor. The first floor was at an altitude of 350 meters and the view over the city of Tokyo great.

After having watched in every direction, I went to the top floor which was at the height of 450 meters. After looking around and many pictures to have seen I went back down where Mrs. Endo was waiting for me. First we went to lunch, which was delicious a dish spaghetti. Then we went to the Sumida Aquarium where you could see many fish. The penguins were very comical to watch.

After we had done that we took the metro a bit further. Here we took a kaminarimon rickshaw and the man who was running was telling about the sights to see in Tokyo. Now we went to a mall where you can see several temples. After the mall we anticipated to go back to the subway and go home, again took a bus and walked the last bit. At the butcher where we did some shopping we had a nice conversation. We agreed that we went for dinner the next day with the whole family.

Weather: The weather was a balmy hot day around 27 degrees, at the stations there was a breeze and I also suffered from coughing. That's because you're wet sweaty and then every time the wind blows over your back. The sun was barely present and making was good to hold out for me. That night there was an earthquake around 4:00 AM in the morning that woke me up. Later that day i've heard it was a quake of 4 on the Richter scale.

Day 10: Friday 11 October 2013

After breakfast I and Mrs. Endo walked from her home to the metro station Higasi Koen- gi and taken the subway to the imperial palace. The sun was shining full and it was quite warm. The palace was beautiful to see but especially beautifully was the landscaped garden with special growing conifers between the lawn.

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After seeing it was already about 12:00 and I was pretty hungry. This time I had a few large shrimps and mussel soup as Japanese food. The soup I didn't like. After that we went back home again, this was at the bus stop of Horinouchi. The heat makes you tired and I could use the rest. Mrs. Endo had to go to the dentist and I rested a while. As agreed, I started the evening with the family of the butcher dinner. That was very nice. The family was very nice. Weather: this day I have experienced as a very hot day. Especially because the wind was not present. It was around 30 degrees. At night it cools down slowly.

Day 11: Saterday 12 October 2013

This day started as usual with a nice breakfast of Mrs. Endo around 08:00. After breakfast I quietly packed my bag. The day before i had bought a handbag where I could bring in some clothes for traveling in the subway, train or bus. We went by taxi to the house of a friend of Mrs. Endo, she spoke very well English. This made some things easier for me. I was getting cooking lessons from her friend and we went to lunch together. After lunch, a family member came to visit her, this was a very nice man. He spoke good English because he had worked abroad and was now unemployed. I had spend the afternoon with him and we had a good time. Once back home with the girlfriend of Mrs. Masako Endo we went to see the Otaguro Koen park, this was located in Suginami.

After this visit we went to a center where I received treatment from a massage chair. The massage hurts in some places but you should not complain about a massage. Once back home, we ate dinner and talked cozy.

Another day passed, the days flew by quickly.

Weather: Today it was around 30 degrees and immediately in the morning it was quite warm, luckily the wind in the afternoon was slightly lit making a sultry feeling.

Day 12: Sunday 13 October 2013

This day was devoted to meeting patients and physicians. Some patients and doctors, I already knew through Face-book or email contact. After breakfast at the friend of Mrs. Endo, Mrs. Endo and I went on foot to the nearby train station. After about a half hour train ride we arrived at the hospital in Chiba. Here we went for lunch and during my lunch there came another companion inside. How striking the similarities in appearance is indescribable. Same thin arms and legs. I was in a room where the meeting was held and stood on a big blackboard written Welcome Mr. Roy, there was a windmill and a map of the Netherlands. Great to see.

When the meeting began, everyone introduced himself. For me there was a translator settled who told me what was said. I understood exactly what was meant. For this kind of things I always fear but it went pretty well. My companions also held a word and I had some trouble hearing because of the high-pitched voices. My voice was the toughest of them all. A highly

specialized doctor called Phd. Yokote told me that I really got lucky about my feet because most patients getting trouble at the age of thirty.

I was highly recommended to relieve my feet as much as possible but still do physical exercises. After all the other doctors did their performances we could ask questions. Most patients did so. Mrs. Endo emphasized again that prevention of stress on the elbows and feet is very important. Finally, she has the most experience in dealing with this condition. Afterwards I and the patients had a drink in a café. It has become late and we had to take two trains and a taxi again. Other patients and the translator said goodbye to me and Mr. Tanaka. I was hungry and it was already half past eight. Then we had anything to eat in the restaurant after that we checked into the hotel.

Weather: it was another hot day, somewhere around 27 degrees. But because of the train and the hospital, I didn´t noticed it.

Day 13: Monday 14 October 2013

Today we went with the shinkasen train to Hiroshima, there was one switch from this train to another. We had to take the train at 7:10 pm so I stood up at 05.45 pm. We didn´t take the breakfast at the hotel because there was no time and we took the train. The first piece took about 3 hours. It almost went wrong because we almost forgot to get out the train for the stop. This was quite dangerous because that is really a time to forget important stuff. After sitting in a waiting room to have second we took the train to Hiroshima. At about 12:30 we were arrived and walked to meet the doctor that we had agreed at a point. His wife was also there. This day I would meet a fellow sufferer. This was a woman of just over 50 years and very recognizable like me, a lot of fat around the waist while the skin on the feet and elbows is very thin. She had pictures to her of her wounds on Achilles tendon, elbows and feet. It all looks very painful. She was very nice. The doctor called Mr. A. Shimamoto and had a whole explanation of DNA, chromosomes and shortened telomeres. Unfortunately I was already quite familiar with this story. Around 15.30 we said goodbye to my companion and we went to visit the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum and Park.

This museum tells all about the atomic bomb which was dropped on Hiroshima and what effect it had. It was very impressive how it was displayed. When it was around 18:00 we went by car from Dr. Shimamoto to a restaurant where you can eat a local dish from the city Hiroshima. This dish was called "Okonomiyaki". It consists a fried pancake, egg, cabbage, noodles, cheese, shallot and more what I have forgotten. You had to eat it with a wide spatula, but I have a small mouth and was afraid to burn so I was very carefully while eating.

Once after dinner it was time to go to the hotel and go to sleep because it

was a long day with many impressions. Weather: The weather this day was quite warm, again around 25 degrees. Every time it seems like i get too many clothes on. But of course the weather can change and I had left my suitcase in Tokyo, I still took my jacket and t shirt with long sleeves.

Day 14: Tuesday 15 October 2013

This day I had a day off, actually my first pass since I was in Japan. A great opportunity to check my emails and Face-book to see. What was sad was that a day before a companion was deceased at the age of 39, I did not know but He was a friend on Face-book. Moments later I heard that the companions encounter of two days for this one companion had been included in the hospital for a kidney that was not working well, a few days later he was allowed to return home. For lunch Mr. Tanaka and I eat meat being in a restaurant. The intention was to go to the Italian but that was still close. At night around 20:00 hours Dr. A. Shimamoto and his wife, Mr. Tanaka and I went and eat fried eel and rice. I found it very tasty. In the Netherlands I've always been fond of eel. This tasted very tasty and there was a lot of flavor.

Weather: it was a lot cooler this day around 20 degrees and the sun was not shining. The day was gray and overcast. Luckily it stayed dry.

Dag 15: Wednesday 16 October 2013

Today I got up at 7:00 am to be on time for breakfast at 7:30 am. After breakfast we went to the train station where we had to catch the train shinkasen from 9:39 to Kagoshima. Every time I am amazed about this train, the staff see passengers as key customers and make every transition of car they bowed to the passengers. Very special. They will very often went around with wipes which you can wipe with your head. Carts driving through the main path for food or drinks. And the garbage is collected there. Unfortunately, Japan is 70% of mountains through which leads the train very often through a tunnel. When Mr. Tanaka and I arrived at around 12.10 pm at Kagoshima Station Ms. Etsuko Tetaka and her daughter already were waiting for us. Upon receipt we went to a place to get some food at the Bay of Kagoshima. There was ashes all over from the volcano eruption that was in progress.

From here we could see the mountain Sakura Jimi lie. After lunch we went by car on the ferry to this mountain. We drove to the viewpoint Yunohira called. After having visited this we went back to Kagoshima and we went to a local pottery where Mr. Hiroyuki Endo also baked pots. He had in his workshop incredible homemade work. He had a persimmon tree behind his house and we all had eaten a persimmon. After having been here, we were dropped off at our next hotel in Kagoshima which was cheaper than the previous hotels and the room was very large. In the evening we went with a group to a Buddhist temple where there were prayers for Mr. Endo and the recently deceased companion. This evening there were a lot children in the temple who all shakes hands and asked me personally if I could give them candy. One girl had a beautiful piece on piano for me. Later on, the children dance for me and I had to dance with them. I'm a rhythm so it was not easy. Anyway I did the dance very clumsy. I'm not used to all this attention and did not know me well how to give an attitude, but this was the best day so far.

After that we went for dinner in true Japanese fashion and there was everything to eat, I took for a change sake. During dinner there was a local journalist present who conducted me an interview. She wanted to know much about the book of Mr. Hiroyuki Endo that I had translated. It was very cozy and after a long day I came back around 22:15 pm in the hotel.

Weather: it was at departure in the morning to train light rainy but during the trip it became lighter and the sun was still shining more. The temperature was about 22 degrees. A tornado had hit Tokyo and there were killed but later when i arrived I didn´t noticed the effects.

Day 16: Thuesday 17 October 2013

This day we went to see things in Kagoshima. Breakfast was at 7:30. Ms. Etsuko Tetaka picked us up around 8:30 am and they had a friend with her who could speak English. We first went to a place where we picked up a Superintendent of a natural park. Then we drove to a vantage point where you can find the beautiful island and the path to the island. Of course you have to wait until the tide is there if you like to walk there. The distance is 800 meters

We haven´t done that. After having seen the viewpoint we went to the island to the beginning of the path. There was an old campsite and low and high palm trees. Kagoshima is very different from Tokyo. I felt the same as Mr. Endo, Kagoshima and surroundings is very beautiful. After visiting this place we went to a meeting and they had my name on a big sign outside, along with many Dutch flags.

Again I had to meet a lot of strange people and that is special to get so much attention. After this visit we went to an oil storage site, unbelievable how large silos where the oil is pumped to the ships. We drove the company's car on the site for viewing. Then we saw it was time to go back to the Kagoshima Station, this was a hour drive away. Around 18:30 the train started and Mr. Tanaka and I leaved Mrs. Tetaka Etsuko and her acquaintance. Our next destination would be Nagasaki. We had to transfer halfway around 20:30 and take the second train to the final destination. Arriving at the station we were a bit lost but a tram driver was able to help us on our way and about 22:30 I was in my hotel room. This was a long day, but beautiful and i´ve seen many things. The people are very nice.

Weather: Again, it was a very nice and sunny day with sometimes a little overcast. Still you could see the smoke of the active volcano. It was a degree of 20.

Day 17: friday 18 October 2013

The day began with a breakfast at the hotel at 07.30 am and after breakfast Mr. Tanaka and I took a rented car to go sightseeing. The first viewing was an old trading post at Dejima, where former Dutch traded with the Japanese. On this place used to be stores.

The journey took about 45 minutes from Nagasaki. After the tour we went to the next sightseeing. This was "Huis ten Bosch" City. This is recreated an entire city from the Netherlands, with terraces, a historic ship, gardens, windmills and canals, house ten Bosch course. The pictures were great because of the good weather. You could get a free bus ride on the terrain, which is quite large. After the tour we went to the Hirado Dutch trading post. This was again an hour away by car. This trading post between the Dutch and the Japanese existed between 1609 and 1639. Here we have been in the department store. What was built in 1639, it is naturally restored. Looked very nice from the inside. With paintings and model ships.

Meanwhile, it has already become 16.00 and we thought it was wise to drive back to the hotel again. This was about 150 miles now. When we arrived in Nagasaki were we were eating in the Italian because fish I did not feel like. When we had to go back to leave the rental car, there was a problem because the navigation was not working and Mr. Tanaka told Nagasaki is a difficult city to drive in. Especially because it was very dark. Fortunately, he was able to call the rental company and we were picked up.

Weather: Today was a very nice day with approximately 22 degrees with some nice sunshine. Perhaps unfortunate that we were much in the car but when were at our destination we had excellent weather.

Day 18: Saterday 19 October 2013

Today we had breakfast at the hotel at 08.00 hours, then we took the tram to the train station of Nagasaki. We had the shinkasen train at 10h20 to Hakata.

We arrived around 12:15 pm and we had lunch on the train. In a place near the train station, we had a new patient meeting, but this time without professors. I had taken some pictures on the iPad where I say something about and everyone listened with ears pricked. After that, Mr. Tanaka was speaking much in Japanese. He could peer much about me because he had me already experienced the last 2 weeks. It was a fun afternoon with the buddies and we took group photos. After the meeting ended around 16:00 had Mr. Tanaka and I catch the train at 16:39 hours that went to Nagoya. Here we arrived around 20:33 hours. Afterwards we checked into the hotel that was near the hotel.

Weather: when we went out in Nagasaki was the light rainy. On the train there was a mix of rain and sunshine. After as the day progressed the clouds remained present but it stayed dry. It was somewhere around 21 degrees.

Dag 19: Sunday 20 October 2013

Also this day we had breakfast around 8:00 am and after breakfast we went by taxi to an Ipad store because we had some problems with copying the photos from my SD card into the Ipad. It took quite a while before we could solve the problem. It would be a shame if you come home from vacation and all your photos are gone. But Mr. Satoshi said he would make a copy in case something went wrong. The whole holiday, I do not need to take many pictures because he wanted to do that so I've a lot of photos where i'm on. This does not happen to me often with other holidays in the past. We took a taxi back to the meeting place for our next patient encounter. Some I knew by name or photograph. Mrs. Masako Endo was there too. Again i seen many symptoms match, but one patient, there is an amputation or sores on the feet and elbows and the other is much less of that. Many patients are no longer able to work through the physical defects. These patients also spoke only Japanese and I was lucky that Mr. Tanaka could translate that into English. Afterwards, at around 17:00 pm we leaved of some peers. Up to four of us stayed over and we drove to a restaurant where we had dinner. I found it quite a tiring day because you have to listen carefully as well when there are English words or when Japanese.

Weather: The weather was very bad in the morning and it was raining cats steal. We had to walk a bit and luckily you can borrow umbrellas at the hotel. In the afternoon was still raining. Only in the evening it was dry. The temperature was about 20 degrees.

Day 20: Monday 21 October 2013

Today we had a quiet day. After breakfast we took the train from Nogoya to Tokyo. Here we arrived around 12:00 where we took lunch. At the station I and Mrs. Endo said goodbye to mr. Tanaka and went back to her house. We had to switch back to metro and bus. In the afternoon we arrived. After taking a shower, we went to eat with the family of the butcher. We had again eat a typical Japanese. You had to beat a raw egg in a cup and meat herein dipped and eat it. Luckily I did not get ill from eating raw egg.

Weather: this day the weather was good and the sun was nice. It was a 22 degrees. The night are not cold.

Day 21 : Tuesday 22 October 2013

I got up as usual around 07.00 and Mrs. Endo and I had breakfast at 07.30. After that we watched for a little time artificial ice driving on TV. Around 11.00 pm it was time to leave with my suitcase and backpack from the house of Mrs.Endo. This was the first time since arriving that I had to travel with a heavy suitcase since arrival. In the hotels I had done all the clothes in the backpack, so I was fine all this time leave the suitcase in one place. It is not pleasant to the bus and train, especially if there is no seat. After a journey of about 5 hours we arrived at the Narita Airport hotel. This was especially so because I had to take an early plane to the Netherlands. In the hotel I had checked in for the trip next day in the evening came Mr. Tanaka to our hotel around 18:30 and we had a farewell meal. This was Chinese food. There was soup with a whole shark fin in it. I think I've eaten everything by now what was put in front of me, and I do not just mean this day. Not everything I found tasty I must confess. But if you try anything you know nothing. After three weeks of rice every day I desire something more then bread and potatoes.

Weather: it was this day cloudy and around 20 degrees. Luckily it was not very sunny and warm because with traipsing is no fun.

Day 22: Wednesday 23 October 2013

This was the day of my trip to the Netherlands. Unfortunately my three weeks were past. In the morning I had to get op at 06.00 Hours and have Mrs. Masako Endo and I had breakfast at 06.30. At 7:15 pm there was a shuttle bus that drived between the hotel and the departure terminal at the Narita airport. Accidentally I almost wanted to get off at the wrong stop. Once at the departure hall, we immediately left the suitcase at the baggage drop-off point. I had an e-ticket and on the way something went wrong because I check the procedure thus did not know, now it was much better. It is easier to print at home all your bording pass printed than to do at the airport. I had 2 hours and Mr. Tanaka had already met at the airport, I suggested to drink some to kill time. After drinking, I took leave of Mr. Tanaka and Mrs. Endo. Quite a difficult moment for me to leave these two persons who had assisted me so well over the past three weeks. Without them I did not know where and how I had to travel through Japan, I am very grateful. My plane was leaving at 10:35 pm and that he did exactly on time. The journey would take 11.30 and 15.05 Dutch time I came back at Schiphol. Here were my parents already waiting for me and we went back in haste. END

Fun things that struck me: * Many toilets have heated seats, also there is a function to show a jet of water against your buttocks. * The car doors close automatically. * Outside of restaurants you can see the meals in plastic in a display case so you can already make a choice what to eat. * At the train stations you know exactly where to stand, there is exactly indicated where a wagon stops so you do not get on the wrong cabin. * It's super clean everywhere, there is often no sign of leafs in parks. * People are very nice and super helpful to help you. * Driving is on the left and the lights work horizontally opposed to us where that's vertical. * Crime is at a low level.