December 27th, 2005

So this Christmas, Chris, Jane, Randy and I all went to Hiroshima and spent the night. Jane and Randy left early Christmas morning to take the trains up to Hiroshima and Chris and I left later so we could catch the bus. The bus takes 3 and a half hours to get to Hiroshima. This was our third trip so we have gotten used to landmarks and stops, so its not so bad. I like riding the bus with Chris. It means he's trapped next to me for 3 whole hours and there is nothing he can do about it! Heh.

The trip was nice because it was overcast so the sun wasnt too bright and we could look out the window. And oh my, the snow! IT was at least 2 feet if not more on the top of houses. On some houses there were men on the rough shoveling thesnow off. Jane says its so the roof wont collapse. But on the side of the road, were the wind made drifts and the snow plow-blower thing pushed the snow was way over my head. You could barely see people wakling around through the paths they made in the snow. It was crazy. And very very pretty where it was untouched and just covering the fields. So that was a nice trip.

Then we got to Hiroshima, with only a vague notion of where the hotel was. We walked a bit and there were some pretty lights but after about 30 minutes we decided to ask some directions. Unfortunately, Jane wrote down the directions and she has trouble with Japanese syllables (no matter how many times she hears them and how many times we insist they never change, she just wont learn). So she wrote them down wrong (misspelled and whatnot). So we had to sort that out. Some old hospital security guy took us outside and pointed us in the right directions and told us to ask when we got in the right area. So we went and asked at a 7-11. The guy at the store was freaked a little and tried to use english but didnt really know any. So he gave up, despite us trying to talk to him in Japanese adn he TOOK OFF RUNNING. So we have to follow suit. So picture this if you will, a short pudgy japanese 7-11 employee running through the streets of Hiroshima with two Americans hot on his heels. I can only imagine what people thought. Anyways, we were so close to the hotel that he just took us right to us and then took off back to his store. Very strange!

But we had mexican for dinner! And it was good mexican because it was a tiny restaurant and everything was homemade. Chris and I ended up eating Nachos, tacos, AND enchiladas. We dont get mexican ever, so it was a huge treat. That was pretty much that day in Hiroshima though, because it was late when we got there. We just got some snacks and watched a crazy Japanese trivia show. It was very interesting.

The next day was our touristy day. We got up early and had somecomplimentary breakfast and then headed to the Hiroshimas Memorial Musuem. The museum was so sad but very very well done. For those who are worried or already rolling your eyes about the bomb museum (yes, I know how most of you feel about the bomb), let me set your worries at ease. The museum was very unbiases and didnt place blame on anyone. It just reported the facts as was and gave some stories. No one can deny that it was a terrible tragedy that happened, regardless of whether it had to happen or not. The museum was more of a tribute to the victims, reporting the FACTS, and crying for the world to abandon nuclear weapons and stuff. Very sad and somber stuff though.

Then we left the museum and looked at some more memorials and statues around. We finally got to Sadako. I dont know if you guys know Sadako's story but I shall tell you. It made a huge impact on me in the 4th grade when I read it so I was excited to see her. Anyways, Sadako was a girl who was 2 when the bomb fell. She was one of the children who contracted Lukemia from the radiation. Anyways, there is a legend in Japan that if you make one thousand paper cranes, you can make a wish. So Sadako started on her cranes. Some say she never finished them and her classmates made the last that she couldnt. Other stories stay she went beyond her goal. I dont know which is correct, I think I first read it as she only made 644. Anyways, the story I heard (which Im not sure is correct) is that she ended up wishing for world peace instead of to cure her lukemia. She died about a year later after she heard about the legend. Anyways, there is a big monument to her in the park. Its a monument for all the children who were killed because of the bomb (regardless of from the blast or from the radiation). It was made because her classmates wanted to preserve her memories and its the Childrens Peace Memorial and it has the inscription "This is our cry, This is our prayer, Peace in the world" on it. Its very touching. Its Sadako stanidng on top of a windchime thing holding a wire paper crane. Anyways, that story left a big impact on me, at least I always swore I would leave Sadako a papercrane. And yesterday Chris and I were able to leave her three cranes that we had folding. It was an important moment for me.

So that was the peace park. Its a very beautiful area and the museum is just fascinating. We didnt make it to the Hiroshima castle, but its such a short trip, Chris and I can go back if we want to. Besides, its just a recreation of the original castle (at least I assume it is...you know..decimation and all). Anyways, so we ate some lunch at a nice italian buffet (it was SO GOOD, we havent had italian in a while either) and then Jane and Randy went back to the museum and Chris and I wandered around Hiroshima a bit. We left on the bus with Jane and Randy around 5.

Unfortunately for us it was a terrible bus ride. The bus was way too hot. It was past uncomfortably hot...the bus driver was also really bad. The ride was bumpy, shakey and jerky. By the time we got home, I think we were all a little car sick.

So that was our trip. It was really nice.