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Published: November 27th 2005
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Hiroshima
Always at the forefront in the world preaching the qualities of tolerance. It’s amazing how time has passed this semester. I’ve never had a semester of college move by with such speed and power. This is my fifth semester in college, so maybe this is just what happens when you start to fall into a grove. I was in the mindset a few months ago that when you spend time abroad it tends to move by at a more docile pace. I’m not complaining that I’ve almost already exhausted half of my time in this country because I feel that in such a short amount of time so many lucky events have happened to me. I’m usually adverse to complete change even though in my life I’m all so often presented with that task. It has gone remarkably well for me this semester quickly making friendships that I think will last my entire life. I don’t think many people here have gone to that extreme because of different mindsets. Some feel they will only be here temporarily so why start something in vein, but I’ve taken advantage of meeting people with remarkably diverse backgrounds from all over the world that I will not soon forget.
On a similar note, keeping this in
Genbaku Dome
The remaining building from the first atomic bomb 1945. 600 Meters above the building the bomb ignited... mind, Kellie Levi and I decided to adventure out to the city of Hiroshima for what could be our last group trip in this country. Kellie will be returning to IUP in the spring so she can graduate and move on in her life. Levi and I both plan to live here in Japan as long as we find it possible before returning home to resume our studies. We all met after our classes this past Friday and did our Keihan Line hopping on down to JR Osaka in Umeda, where we were free to burn a few hours before riding JR highway bus for seven hours to Hiroshima overnight. The highlight of our free time was our casual conversation about religion in each of our lives. It’s always so interesting when the three of us are able to have conversation because just between the three of us we are completely different. Kellie is a practicing Buddhist living in America. She’s very open minded AND educated as Levi puts it. Her idea of being educated on a topic in order to be able to speak about it is something I definitely admire. Levi does not practice religion and faces the
No More War
Sometimes you can learn a lot from children if given the chance. everyday issues of being a homosexual in America/Japan. I am the Christian of the group who deals with my own battles of faith and self improvement. What makes this work, and be able to be such good friends is the fact that all three of us are tolerant people. This same ideal of tolerance if it was able to spread throughout the world could work too. I just know it.
The whole city of Hiroshima had a familiar feel to it meaning it resembled most other Japanese cities I’ve been too before. However, the city of Hiroshima, in reality, is only at most sixty years old. Only the Genbaku Dome remains from before the atomic bomb was dropped over the city in 1945. I can’t say I felt funny walking around the city or received eerie vibes, but when you are in the Peace Park area you just feel almost tiny and unimportant. The children’s memorial, which includes thousands of handmade paper cranes, the Japanese National Bird symbolizing peace, was very touching. It was surrounded with other visitors stopping and taking time to ring a bell and then pray to the memorial. Levi was most touched by this memorial
The Crane
Every year thousands and thousands of cranes are made and given to these memorials in the Peace Park. and had trouble remaining emotionless. If only more Americans, tolerant and non-tolerant alike, could visit Japan and more specifically the city of Hiroshima, maybe they too could come to a better understanding on why the use of Nuclear weapons was and will never be justifiable.
Moving to a completely different note, we then embarked out to rest our legs and refuel our energy. We stopped and ate at an Omuraisu shop, which is basically an omelet filled with rice and some meat on the outside beside the egg. We rode the Hiroshima City Bus Loop back to the JR Hiroshima station and then hopped on the train and ferry to make our way to Miyajima. Miyajima has become such a heavy spot for foreign tourists and Japanese tourists, but I still have always wanted to come and see the island for myself. How lucky for us to come during momiji, Japanese Maple Leaf, time. The entire Island, which is set to a pretty backdrop of Misen Mountain, felt almost like I was back in Kyoto. Omiyage (souvenir) shops and Kyoto type snacks filled the streets with cheer and good smell. It was very peaceful and very uplifting time spent
on the Island. Of course I took time out to photograph the famous floating Torii, but I also took time out to enjoy nature, which is often a challenge in this country. The Momiji on the Island are the best that I have seen yet. They were almost so brilliantly red to the point of resembling fire.
The conclusion of the trip wasn’t just to go home. It was to ride local train across the island of Honshu back to our home in Hirakata. JR gave us only one option: Ride the slow, long line of Sanjo through hundreds of stops and 6-7 hours. We started our trip home around 6:30 and were forced to call it a night near Kobe, when the trains stopped running. Ok, so we didn’t make it home, and this time of year in Japan can be more than a little cold, so we were thinking of plans. I called a couple of my friends, Nao and Ryoji, both who live in Kobe, but both were not free for the night. Levi then came to the rescue and called a friend of his, Ben, who said sure to letting us sleep at his place.
Torii Spotting
First sight of the popular Torii, clamined to be the 3rd most photographed spot in the country. We were all so very tired that we weren’t much of company to him and managed only a little conversation. We were then treated to breakfast in the morning of coffee and donuts by Ben who just met of the night before. Sometimes I don’t know where I get my luck from! We then rode to Osaka, Osaka Loop Line, and Keihan Line home. Good times, Good trip!
Next Time: Christmas in what country?? Final Exams!?
- Zach
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James
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Glad you had a good time. pics look awsome!!!