12magoshik's posterous
 

Twelfth Entry

Fourth day in Hiroshima. Today was a GREAT day. 

Breakfast was at 8 today. The final breakfast we would have at that hotel tasted nice. After breakfast, we packed our bags as we were switching hotels. We then left the hotel and walked to the boat-ride place, where the boat would take us to Miyajima. I was really excited to go, as I’ve always wanted to go. The boat ride was fun; too bad we couldn’t stand outside after we left the river and entered the ocean… The rough waves would have made it very fun. After about an hour on the boat, we arrived at Miyajima. There was so much green; it was really pretty!! We saw deer too. They just walk right up to people and poke around looking for things to eat. First, we walked to the Torii to take a group photo. A deer interfered, and I think most of the photos included a deer. After the group photo, we walked through Itsukushima Shrine. It was very, very beautiful. I’d like to live in a place like that… I got my fortune taken there as well. I got “Worst Luck” (hahaha) but I think I’ll be okay because I bought a lot of protective amulets.

After we were done sightseeing, our group split into two. One group was going to the top via cable car, and the other was going to sightsee via bike. I joined the biking group, along with Kazune, Kaho, Stella, Resa, and Rika. This was where the fun began. We tried to bike around the entire island, but the road ended in a dead end. During the bike ride, we stopped for a rest and hung around on a secluded beach. The water was really pretty, and the view was nice as well.

We got back to town pretty early; I think about 2-ish. There, we split up and went shopping for souvenirs. When we ran out of time, we biked back to the meeting spot, where we met the other group. We then took a ferry back to Hiroshima.

We walked to our new hotel, the Hotel New Hiroden. Our room is pretty nice, I must say, though I think I liked the other hotel more, because it was “Japanese-style” on one side of the room. However, our beds are bigger here and the view is nice as well, so I am content.

After we were done settling in, we went out for dinner. We went to the top of a department store, where there were many restaurants. Kazune and I couldn’t decide on a restaurant, but then I said that my first choice was Chinese food. Kazune apparently liked Chinese food as well, so we picked a Chinese restaurant and ordered our food. We got a great view, the atmosphere of the restaurant was nice, and there was lovely music playing in the background. We ordered our food and waited. Resa soon joined us, and ordered the food she wanted. Our food came quickly; Kazune and I split chop suey and a plate of cooked vegetables and noodles. It was very, very good.

After dinner, Genki-san and the Miyajima bike members (sans Rika) walked around a shopping mall, relaxing and having fun. It was a very nice end to a very nice day.

First photo: Itsukushima Shrine. Isn't it pretty?

Second photo: Momiji Bridge. We saw it when we were biking

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Posted October 22, 2009
 

Eleventh Entry

Third day at Hiroshima. Today is the last night at this hotel.
Today was a tiring yet exciting day. Breakfast was 30 minutues later,
which meant that we could sleep in for 30 more minutes. After breakfast,
we walked to the station, where we took the train to the next station
(name unknown). From there, it was a long walk to Mitakideya, a temple
that honored deceased children. After walking around and observing the
surroundings, we went back to the station and took the train back to...
the other station (I forgot the name). We then took the tram to Hiroshima
station, where everyone bought their lunches. We then walked to
Futabayama, where we had to hike to the top.
Yes. It was torture. Apparently (according to the map) the hike was
supposed to take 16 minutes, but it felt much, much longer than that. It
felt like double that. I was too tired to take any pictures. Well, we got
to the top... and yes the view was nice, but I don't think it was worth
the painful hike. Heh. At least the walk back was easy, though I slipped a
lot. After Futabayama, we walked (some more) to Shukkeien. Man, that place
was pretty. I got back my energy and ran around taking pictures of the
beautiful scenery and...random people. I'd have to say it was definitely
worth going to. I also got green tea ice cream though others didn't agree
with my choice. I don't see what's wrong with green tea ice cream though.
It's good!
After Shukkeien, we walked back to the hotel. On the way there, we saw
Hiroshima Castle. I wanted to go inside and take pictures, but others
wanted to just go back to the hotel ( :( ) so I took some pictures when we
went by. Then I took a shower and ate dinner. Dinner was good; it was shabu shabu
:D :D :D

I can't wait to go to Miyajima tomorrow!!!!!!


First photo: Momiji!!!! It's my favorite plant :D
Second photo: Shukkeien. Isn't it pretty? :)

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Posted October 21, 2009
 

Ninth Entry

Second day in Hiroshima. I am tired.
Kaho and I woke up at 7 am to get ready before breakfast, which was at 8.
When it was time, we wandered toward the breakfast room. For breakfast, we
had salad, eggs, bread (plain and raisin) and corn soup. It was a great
start to the day. At 9, Ms. Matsubara, a Hiroshima-bombing survivor, told
us her story. She spoke in depth, and I could clearly imagine the events
she had gone through. However, no matter how many times she told us of her
emotions, I still cannot clearly imagine what it was like to actually see
people die in front of your eyes. I find it amazing, that even after
experiencing the hellish events, at the end, she still forgave the people
who dropped the a-bomb. It especially moved me when she told us what her
mother had told her when she was a little girl. Her mother told Ms.
Matsubara to "do something! think of something you can do, so that no one
will go through the same ordeal that you did...don't feel sorry for
yourself. no one can help you..." This was why Ms. Matsubara decided to
tell people of her experiences so that the future generations will know of
the consequences of nuclear weapons. She also hoped that if people know
what it was like back then, then people will join the effort to bring
peace to the world and abolish nuclear weapons.
After the lecture, the group + Ms. Matsubara + Ms. Yamane, her friend (who
also translated), walked to the a-bomb dome, where we met Ms. Matsubara's
other friend, who gave us a tour of the dome. I find it amazing that even
though the bomb fell very near the building, the dome was still standing
even though many other buildings and houses were completely destroyed. I'm
glad that the Japanese government decided to preserve the building, as it
will be a good example to the future generations as to why we shouldn't
use nuclear weaponry. We then walked to the Children's Peace Monument,
where we hung the cranes. We also took a group photo there. We then walked
to the Atomic Bomb Memorial Mound and also saw the Korean Monument. I
found it weird that not many Japanese people learn of the horrific things
they did to other countries (ex. Korea, China). I think it is important
that people learn of their country's history, no matter how
cruel/grotesque the events were. Someone said that perhaps the Japanese
government chose not to tell people of certain events because then the
students would lose their pride of being Japanese. However, I do not think
that that is something that the government should control. Whether or not
a person will accept their country's history, no matter how bloody, is up
to the person, not some stranger whom they've never met. Anyways....
After the Korean monument, we went to the Cenotaph for the A-bomb Victims
(aka "Memorial Monument for Hiroshima, City of Peace" or just simply
"A-bomb Cenotaph") where we talked about the abolishment of nuclear
weapons. We also saw the Peace Flame, which I thought was interesting.
Then we went to the okonomiyaki restaurant. IT WAS SO GOOD. LIKE REALLY.
GOOD.
After we ate, we walked back and went to museums, where we learned more in
depth of the A-bomb and how it affected its victims. It was very
depressing, but I'm glad I learned about it. Finally, we walked to the
Peace Bell, where Resa and I rang the bell. Then we walked to the hotel.
And ate food. THE END :D

First photo: I found this quote in one of the museums, and felt very moved
by it. Second photo: This is the A-bomb dome.

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Posted October 20, 2009