It was a rainy day in Ise-Shima. I took an express train to this small town. It took about 1 hour. When I first reached a new place, my sense of direction was not there. Literally, I walked toward the reverse direction from where I supposed to be.

After half an hour walk, I still could not find my hotel. I then stopped by a clinic and asked for the direction. Two young Japanese staff tried to explain to me with their limited English. They photocopied an japanese street map to me. I thanks for their helped and continued my walk in the rain. After walking pass two traffic lights. Then, one of the staff catching up with me and asked me to wait for her. She will able send me to look for the hotel if I can wait till their lunch hour (which is 10 minutes time). Of course, I was delighted to follow them.

I felt so touchy for her to chasing me up, just to help me out. She was still catching up her breath when she was talking to her colleague in the shop. Pity her. Doesn't she know who she is trying to catch up with. I don't know should I laugh or pity her.

The hotel was very old. I was a bit worry if I am the only one check in to that hotel? Of course, my curiousity kicked in. I need to check out the hotel and know the layout. Just in case, it there is any emergency, I know where to go. The hallway are dark. The room are all with traditional sliding door. Let me pulled out one of the room. Gosh, it looks old, how long have it haven't been any guest in those rooms. My room is in the 1st floor. I walked along the stairway and looked for the bathroom. It was quiet and it was still raining! There are three bathrooms in that corner - one for group, one for family, and one private. Thanks God, I don't need to share the bathroom.

I took the bike and went to the shrine nearby. I was in the right timing to capture the snapshots of the shrine in the rainy day. If it is a sunny day, it would not be able to reflect the atmosphere of the shrine.

No photographying was allow inside the Shrine main door. There was a big white drap of cloth hanging in front of the main entrance. On the side, there was a monk with traditional Japanese custom sitting on the side and reading his book. A security guard was standby the main entrance to ensure no any interruptions for the shrine.

The night falls at 5:30PM. When I was back to the hotel. I realized there were two other foreigners staying in there. Thanks God I am not the only one stay in that hotel. Anyway, I was just locked myself in that small room and have my light on till next morning.

I will need to have a second thought for any old traditional Japanese hotel. It may not be as good as what we thought.