Day 82

These days are piling up fast, whose excited, I am of course. yesterday was a very exciting day. First off I took my crazy one day trip to Hiroshima. It took 9 hours did get there, and that's because the train had an issue, but I made it safe and sound.

Hiroshima is a pretty vibrant city. It looks like they have a lot to do, many stores and many people. Upon first look you wouldn't think that this is where the worlds first bomb was used to destroy people only 72 years ago. And it was the first time since being in Japan that I was around so many different races. I saw Indians, Spanish, Europeans, and many more all at the Hiroshima peace museum, it was nice to not be the only diverse person. I also realized how diverse america really is. You know I don't really get to many stares in Japan, maybe a few children but besides that nothing, at least non I notice, but a few people have asked me where I was from. I thought it a general question, not thinking that my makeup may confuse some, especially when I wear my hair curly. A Japanese lady asked me where I was from at the museum and when I said America, she said oh, thank you. And another Japanese man asked me was I from Indonesia. So that was interesting. And way for me to be global, I feel like when I come back someone will ask me where I from, And I slip and say America they will look at me crazy. Experiences change your life. I know when I ask someone for their number, and they don't give me the area code, it takes me a minute because I'm so use to dealing with people from everywhere.

But back to Hiroshima, pics:

view of Hikone at 5:30am had to start my trip early

But Guess who is alive, awake, alert and enthusiastic?

why little ole me

Just outside of Hiroshima Station

The tram line, they work like trollys and look like the people mover in detroit

The A-Bomb Dome, a tribute to all the lives lost since they could not be recovered from the blast. One of two buildings that withstood the blast

What it originally looked like

view of the city from the peace park

peace park, it's huge

again

Memorial

my ticket to the museum, how about it was only 50 Yen, thats like 50cent, what museum you know in america that cost 50 cent

So the museum basically took you through how World War II started, how Japan got involved, and then mentioned Pearl Harbor. They then went to talk about why the US started creating the bomb, which was before Pear Harbor, originally intended for a defense mechanism against Germany. And then how the ide evolved to be used against Japan. How the "benefit" of ending the war outweighed killing of thousands. And it explained why Hiroshima was targeted, one of the reasons being their were no hostages held there.

Then It talked about the bomb striking, the recovery after the blast, the movement to end weapons of mass destruction, what are nuclear bombs, how they are created, what countries have them. And then it shows you the tragedies of the the bombing. 

I watch found after the bomb, stopped at 8:15, the time the bomb stiked

What Hiroshima looked like before the blast

After

replica of the current Peace Park.

Picture of the Annual Peace festival

sold in the gift shop, interesting

So at first I was like, They sailing Jesus pins in here, but it's actually a child holding up a crane, remember the story about the girl who made a 1000 cranes to make a wish

pic I found in the bathroom, Yeah I did not know that's how you squatted over a japanese toilet, not how i was doing it.

Some may find some of the pictures below graphic, just warning.

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the aftermath

the child and paper crane

these pictures are made out of paper cranes

In short I enjoyed my trip, a great experience, i'm happy I made the long trip here.

Until Next Time,

Day 80

This is kinda my cultural activity Post:

3 weeks ago I had the opportunity to do calligraphy, it was not easy, but very interesting, here are my products:

The left is the sample, the right is mind

Tomo- Friend

dream

I traced this one, i feel like the other one looks better

Go to Japan

Mother's Dream

The one on the left my sensei wrote, the one on the write me

Mother's Dream

The one's I'm keeping, I posted the friend one, it looks really good, I'll probably get it framed back in the states

I also have 2 videos for you today, Two cultural activity videos from last week and the week before. I have to break it up into two posts but at least Blogspot is being nice to me. I know my mommy will be happy to finally see photos. I'm no video maker pro, I just clip and trim and add music if needed so enjoy:

Akido is a Japanese style martial art that combines religious and political ideologies and was developed in the early 1900's as a form of self defense. They gave us the opportunity do this as well, but you all i'm fragile, the idea of having someone flip me on the ground when I'm broken things is not a fun thought. And not to mention my arm so yeah. But it was cool to watch.

Last week we had another style of Martial arts shown to us called Nakinata. It is one of Power and grace which consists of practice choreographed movements called Kata performed with the "stick" that is usually a sword. We learned a few movements, it was cool as well.

Today we tried on Kimono's. Well actually most of us were wearing Yukata's, which is a cotton version of the Kimono. I found out the Kimono that I bought is called a Komo, it's one used for parties.

Our Sensei showing us how to put on kimono 

She got her kimono really cheap, I'm going to have to get her to remember where she got it in Osaka

Me in my Yukata

My bow

There you have it,

Until Next Time,

Day 76

So first I will start off with an update, Blogspot does not like me, it hasn't been letting my upload photos to the last few posts, nor will it accept my video uploads. I should try a new browser, but I don't know what the problem is. So yeah sorry about that.

In other news, Today I went back to Kyoto for Hanatoro. It translates to flower and light road and basically had lanterns that lit up the backroads that people would walk to get to Higashiyama District. I have pictures but my camera appears to be horrible at night. I was able to walk around to areas I didn't get to last time, and I got some great souvenirs so I'm excited. I even bought a Japanese umbrella so thats good.

Before I went to the Higashiyama District I actually went to the Fushimi Inari Shrine. Now I said I'm not really into the shrine thing but it's known for it's many, and I mean many Tori gates that line a sort of Hiking trail and take about 3 hours to complete. Like most visitors I stopped after about 40 minutes. It's basically a bunch of gates after a while, and when you hit the steep steps, I was like, ok, workout is over. It was cool, because this shrine is orange. Orange is the color I deny of being my favorite, but everyone else will tell you differently, and today I can see why. It supposed to be one of the most famous temples, for the god of rice.

I enjoyed my little excursion, and went by myself as I do often times. It was a good tiring day. Walking around for hours up and down hills is draining, but I enjoyed myself. hopefully I can get pics up soon.

Until Next Time,

Day 71

Hello All,

It's been a few days. I was able to go the movies on Sunday and that was a treat. The movie theater in Hikone was a little interesting. I have no pics, I just feel like some places pictures shouldn't be taken. But the concession was very tiny. I ordered the typical popcorn and pop and went to my designated theater. It was a very small theater, with only 4 screens and I ended up watching Sherlock Holmes, I hadn't seen the first one, but I missed the In Time Screening once again since I accidentally got on the the Shinkansen, which is the bullet train, and didn't realize it until we passed my stopped, and I was in some random town, #foreinerstruggles. But I wanted to enjoy my movie experience so I settled with ole Sherlock. The theater reminded me of like a school gymnasium turned into an auditorium because of the flooring. It had the normal seats, but an actual drape covered the screen and opened once the previews began. The floor wasn't on an incline either, so all the the seats were on the same level, which would have sucked if someone tall was sitting in front of me. There are quite a few tall people in Japan.

The movie was cool, Sherlock Holmes is an interesting character. I was just happy to go is what I can say.

Today was a good day, I FINALLY got my new laptop. Ya girl now has the Lion OS for all you Mac heads. I'm slowly adjusting to the scroll features. Getting the laptop here was so expensive and to top it all off, I had to pay a consumption Tax of $41 to receive, aint that something. Well At least I now have my computer. I'm happy America has free trade cause this is ridiculous. I would have christened it with Photobooth photos to share but that will have to wait, I'm not feeling my hair at the moment, I'm was supposed to straighten for the last few days, but I just haven't done so yet. So it's in a frizzy ponytail, and I'll either have to buckle down and straighten it or just wash it again in the morning. We'll see. I should have updated pics on her by the weekend, when I can take the time and organize everything.

I also went to the doctor today. It was my first experience with Universal healthcare, I'm assuming that's what Japan has. My right shoulder has been bothering me for the last few weeks and I had the slightest clue why, I have a high tolerance for pay, but the past few days, It's been uncomfortable sleeping, so talking with my mom it was suggested I go. I have the HTH worldwide insurance so I was like, Ok lets try this. My "RA" took me and before she took me she asked did I have cash, Because I have to pay upfront, the insurance works via reimbursement. I honestly didn't even want to go anymore, pay money up front, how much will this cost. She said bring about a $100 which means 10,000 yen which is really like $125 when you allow for exchange rates. I had that so I said ok. We got there at a good time and I was literrally in and out, he examined my arm asked me where it hurt and did it hurt why he moved and poked my arm, and no it didn't. Then we got an xray, and I'm thinking Oh my Lord, this is going to be expensive. Nothing ended ups being wrong, and I turned down the the prescription for pills, and accepted the prescription for what sounded like icy hot patches. Guess how much my bill was. 5,800 yen. That's roughly $72 I need you to understand that I'm a foreigner, walked in with no insurance, they didn't even ask for identification, and I received inexpensive healthcare and an XRAY. Get Outta Here. I like this, can we please get this in america. I feel like with my insurance at home my deductible would have been that much for the xray alone. I understand why some sick people cross the border now. WOW. But all is good, I have on one of the Icy hot thingys and hopefully the pain goes away.

Until Next Time,

Day 67

So today I planned on going shopping in Hikone again, but a lot of stores were closed again, even though it's a Saturday. And I planned on going o the movies, I thought that would make me feel better, I was going to see In Time, the Justin Timberlake movie, but The american movies only show once a day, and I got up to late to make it to the theater in time for the 2:20 show. So I'm going to make that move tomorrow. I didn't find anything interesting, so I'll keep my souvenir shopping for the touristy cities.

But in other news, I'm a little upset. so when I went to leave and went to get my shoes ( In japan you take off your shoes at residences and some other buildings, and leave it at the door, there is usually a show rack and you wear slippers inside), well I went to get my riding boots and they were gone. I went to the front door, because sometimes I leave them at that entrance instead. But nope they were gone, and then I remembered that I haven't been out since last saturday do to me being sick and such, and I distinctly remember using the side entrance.So either somebody stole them, or knocked them down and threw them away. And I liked these boots, they were sensibly priced and met my desire for riding boots. And now they're gone.

So on my way back I thought well maybe somebody thought they were there's which I thought was stupid, i mean shouldn't you know what you shoes look like, and I'm a size 11, not that common. But certainly when I got back my shoes were on the rack. They were not their before I left either if that thought came to mine, I looked thoroughly, and they were on the top shelf, I never put my shoes on the top shelf. No I know someone was wearing my shoes, and this may not have even been the first time. That's kinda disgusting. I mean people have borrowed my shoes before, but it usually my Mom, My best friend, or my sands, there is some important relationship there. I don't know these people like that to even consider letting them borrow my shoes. I'm really just baffled though, I never taken someone shoes on accident and worn them, unknowingly.

I'm happy I found them back in their place because I would have had an A-Ti-Tude if i found them on the perps feet. I just have to be happy I have them back. I'm keeping all my shoes in my room from now on.

Until Next Time,

Day 57

Today on Leap Year day, Or whatever you call February 29th, I had a field trip to Otsu with my Japanese Politics class. We got to visit the governors office and the Otsu court, as well as sit in on a meeting with the Diet, I hope I'm saying that right.

It was pretty cool. We had a presentation by this group talking about a Rice Cradle Project, which basically uses rice fields as a place for fish to eat and reproduce in a healthier environment and go back to the lake, since the lake is colder. Shiga Prefecture, (it's the state I'm in), Has a Big lake inside of it, called Lake Biwa, the lake outside my dorm, And they want to make sure the the fish are thriving. They actually sale the rice grown in the grade to serve as awareness for the project. They also gave us these cool portable chopsticks.

We got to see a Japanese courtroom, they just started using Lay Judges, which is basically a jury, and they sit on the same level as the Judge. The Witnesses sit in the middle of the courtroom, and both attorneys ask questions from their seats with Both sides sitting at the same table. I have pictures coming, hopefully by the end of the week.

I got to sit in the Judges seat.

I also figured what i want to write my paper on, Women in politics in Japan. Shiga's governor is a women, and she is only the third female governor in Japan. She actually went to the University of Wisconsin. There are also few female mayors, Otsu, the city I was in had it's first female mayor, She actually received a law degree from Harvard. American Graduate education going far oversees.

And a Side note, something I really just realized, and it shows just how much English runs the world. In Japan, Japan is Nihon. I knew I was in Nihon, By I'm am curious to find out why English speaker felt the need to call Nihon Japan.

Until Next Time,