広島と宮島：
So over winter break, I went to Hiroshima and Miyajima. The day Alyssa and I got into Hiroshima was weird. The air felt heavy and blanket of clouds and drizzle was endless. One of the places I promised myself that I would go to before I died was Hiroshima: To see the peace museum and the surviving dome after the atomic bombing. I really can't explain the feeling I had there( it's too difficult to explain). However, I am very fortunate to have been able to experience it. I guess I feel pretty ashamed that I didn't know much about how tragic the bombing was... then again, many of my history text-books back in middle/ high school merely touched upon it. One of the most eerie images we saw were at the peace park. After the atomic bombing, radiation permanently disfigured some of the trees, so they will never grow like they used to. Just another part of Hiroshima that is constantly haunted by the attack. I guess not everyone will be able to make it there, but I think it's a place everyone should see for themselves.
Now, I understand that this so far is a depressing post, but that was not my whole trip. While the mood at the beginning was a downer, we decided to get some Okinomiyaki at a local spot and then hang out in the living room of the hostel. I had never been to a hostel before, so the environment was new to me. I met some of the nicest people there. Although many of them were much older, they came from all over the world and had fantastic stories about their travels. One Austrian man even told me about his fond memories in the area of Trier, and that within this area was an even smaller town named Trierweiler! we talked to these people we had never met before for hours until the early morning, and I loved it! Hostels are definitely the way to travel.
After our night with excellent company, We set off for the island of Miyajima. The day started out cloudy again, but as we took the boat out, the sun came out and ended up being a clear, beautiful, sunny day. I have to say that this was a life-changing experience. The island was breath-taking, particularly the "floating gate". The gate has high-tide and low-tide. During high-tide, the gate is completely covered by water, so it's quite magical. When low-tide comes around, you are able to go down and walk through the gate. It is supposed to be very lucky... However we never got the chance to do so. We also went to the top of the mountain, where monkey and deer ran around! It was really scary being so close to them, but they weren't too hostile (although, many signs tell you not to carry food with you or stare them in the eyes). As we climbed the mountain, you could not hear anything... it was absolutely silent. I am so used to the hustle and bustle of the cities that when I finally heard nothing I went into shock. As we left the island, I had a sudden feeling... and it sure took long enough: I fell in love with Japan.
What to do now:
One of the most wonderful yet frustrating occurrences in my life is finding out I love a place... but I have only 3 weeks left in it. I supposed that's why everyone highly encourages a year of study abroad rather than half a year. It took me about 5 months to feel comfortable in my everyday life in a foreign country. Although I am very excited to be heading back so soon, I am also very nervous and reluctant. There are so many things I have to deal with... Mainly being my future. However, I will savor the time I have and have fun! Right now, I am taking Japanese music lessons, and I am loving every one of them! I have also been running and exercising everyday, so hopefully I am improving myself. Annnd I saw Rodrigo y Gabriela in concert in Nagoya and they were absolutely how I dreamed they would be: Amazing. In any case, that's pretty much it in a nutshell. I have done many more things and will do many more, but for now I will say life has been pretty good to me. Later.
