Happy New Year!!! I hope you all had a lovely, safe celebration. I had a low-key night at the jimjilbang (AKA naked spa). It was another awkward experience, but it is my Korean New Years tradition. Enough said.
HIROSHIMA!!! Woop, woop! It was an amazing adventure! Everything fell into place wonderfully. I met a lovely woman on the bus from the airport to the city. She brought me to my hostel and wouldn't let me pay for the taxi, which was nice considering taxis start at $8 in Japan. Even better, I made it to my hostel with 5 minutes to spare until they were closing down the front desk, which would have made it impossible to check in. It would have left me homeless... again. It's funny how things work out sometimes.
I spent the first day exploring Peace Park and the Peace Museum. It was an incredible experience. I read everything and listened to testimonials of survivors of the A-Bomb. It was heart-breaking. I'm glad I'm not an emotional person because if I was, I would have been bawling. See, being tough has its perks.
Children's memorial. Money was raised by classmates of a little girl named Sadako Sasaki. She survived the bombing at age 2, but years later was diagnosed with leukemia and other illnesses due to the radiation exposure. There is an ancient Japanese story that says if you fold 1,000 paper cranes, you will be granted a wish. Her wish was to be cured. She didn't get her wish and sadly died at age 12. Children from all over the world still send cranes to the memorial site and can be seen in clear cases behind the statue.
The T-shaped bridge behind the statues in the US' target for the bomb. After the shock wave, the entire roadway on the bridge sprang up a few meters. It was repaired and used for 30 years, then rebuilt.
A-Dome
One of the only buildings still standing near "ground zero". It is exactly the same as it was the day of the bombing. They have put in support beams to ensure that is doesn't collapse.
another memorial
Shukkeien Garden: Perfect place to read and take in the beauty of the garden.
I was waiting out the rain under this hut/gazebo type place. These two and their entourage came over and took some wedding photos right next to me. It was really funny and awkward. I tried to get up and leave, but they insisted that I was fine where I was. I pretended to keep reading, but I was spying on them the entire time. Of course, I had to ask them for a picture. Duh.
My new friend Ran Ran and I. I met her at my hostel. She is from China, but is studying in Tokyo. We had a blast chatting about our strange lives and spent the next day exploring Miyajima Island.
Okonomi-mura: fried noodles, veggies, meat, and egg pancake thingy
SUSHI!! Count it. 6 plates. That's how I roll.
Fried oyster and cheese. A Hiroshima "must eat" food.
Fresh grilled oyster. yum.
Miyajima Island- known for shrines, pagodas, and DEER. It is a sacred island where no one is allowed to till, give birth, die or be buried on the island. I'm not quite sure how you can help most of those "rules", but there is no hospital or cemetery on the island. I guess you best do your business on or once you get off the ferry.
Miyajima Torii- one of the most famous sites in Japan. It is a very sacred and appears to be floating in the water during high tide.
Children running away from their parents under the shrine. The "secret escape route" is only runnable by munchkins or those who can run on their knees.
Beautiful shrine that I never wanted to leave nor did I believe I was inside of.
There really were deer EVERYWHERE. I read about this prior to my visit, but I thought the travel writers were being dramatic. As soon as I walked off the ferry, I saw four deer just hanging out on the walkway. They were very friendly but "wild". They tried to steal my oysters and maps. They let me pet them. We bonded a lot throughout the day.
Back in the city, there was a street that was filled with cheesy lights in the shape of such things as A-Dome, picture frames, Cinderella's carriage (minus Cinderella and the Prince), benches, etc. I have come to realize, in the nicest way possible, that asians love photo opportunities. I enjoy it. ALOT.
This is one of my favorites. We just starred at each other through the lights for a moment. He was cute. i think he thought I was strange looking.
I wanted to take her home...errr.. at least take a picture of her.
Because its Japan, any album would not be complete without a video game (Anime) arcade.
SO, as you can see, I survived my first trip alone (sorry Mom and Dad). I never really felt alone. There were humans all around me and I met some interesting ones along the way. It was a great trip of self awareness. A trip that showed me that I do have the ability to find my way and that I CAN read a map. I didn't get lost once, which is a shocker considering I get lost ALL the time. This includes the city I grew up in. Maybe I'm getting older and wiser or maybe I just got lucky. Either way, I overcame something that scared the crap out of me and you know what? It feels amazing. You should try it. I dare you. I double dog dare you.
I wish you good health, happiness, peace, and the ability to ChAsE YOUR dreams in the New Year. Cheers to 2011!
xoxo
xoxo
