Sakamoto Ryoma Statue, Kochi, Japan; Taj Mahal, Agra, India; Streets of Hong Kong; Capitol Building, Washington, USA; Big Ben, London, England; Torii Gate, Miyajima, Japan. What do all these places have in common? Our memories of these places at certain times include scaffolding.

Visiting host family in Kochi, Japan. On various trips we meet up with friends and family, and re-visit tourist sights. On this particular trip we took Tom to see Katsurahama Beach, the location of the Sakamoto Ryoma Statue.

Oh, what’s that? We can’t walk around the statue? Oh, yes, we can actually go up the temporary scaffolding and get “up close and personal”! Apparently, this is a temporary observation deck which allows you to “look down and see the same view as Ryoma himself.” 

Ryoma Sakamoto: The Kochi-born samurai who fought for modern Japan ｜Highlights｜VISIT KOCHI JAPAN

India, a trip combining cricket and tourism. A must – do visit to the Taj Mahal. Prior to the visit I completed a jigsaw of the well-known image. We arrived at the iconic site for the sunrise. Yes, it’s just as imagined, although the trees have grown and been pruned in comparison to the jigsaw. There are more people than depicted on the jigsaw. And what’s this? Some scaffolding on the right-hand minaret. That certainly wasn’t on the jigsaw. The Taj Mahal was undergoing some major restoration works during 2017.

Hong Kong Streets. Scaffolding in the city was to be expected, but I was somewhat surprised that it was bamboo! I guess it is strong, light, and sustainable. I’m also happy to discover that there is a safety guide/code of practice for bamboo scaffolding in Hong Kong.

Ooh, some more scaffolding! The Capitol Building, Washington, 2015.

Maybe the scaffolding helps us to date our visits to some of these landmarks. “This photo of Big Ben must have been 2019, I can tell by the scaffolding.”

If you are looking for social media air-brushed perfection, our photos of these places would be less than satisfactory. At times when we visited, there was scaffolding temporarily hiding their usual beauty or dramatic imposing structures.

Early in our travel days, we were disappointed when an expected sight was hidden from our view. However, our perspective changed in 2003 when visiting Miyajima, touring the island with a small group of high school students of Japanese. Tom and I had visited Miyajima often, but for these students, it was their first, and possibly only, time to visit such a famous landmark.

This particular year, we had extra guidance from Isobe-san at the Itsukushima Shrine. He explained to our group some of the details of various activities and places around the shrine. At the end of the usual walk, in a location typically used by groups for photos, a couple of students clearly expressed their disappointment. The scaffolding rising a metre or so above the waterline at the base of the Torii gate didn’t meet their expectation of the majestic beauty of the “floating” Torii gate often seen in postcards or on websites.

Oh, no, Isobe-san explained with infinite patience, you are privileged. So many visitors take the same photo day after day. You are blessed to be here at a special time of renewal. Not everyone gets to see this view. The Torii gate is only repainted once in a while. You are so lucky to be here at this time and should be thankful to have such a unique experience.

It’s all a matter of expectation and allowing yourself to be content with reality. Sometimes these less-than-perfect snapshots of life are what make the events memorable.