Once again it has been so long since I have
written. I have been in a funk and
have not felt like writing but I’m back and better than ever. I’ve done a lot since my last entry and
I’m excited to share. First, for
Golden Week this year I decided to take a trip by myself to sort some things
out, try to make decisions, and just be me.
I went to Hiroshima and Kyoto for 5 days – it was
amazing and I am so happy I did this alone. I was able to things on my own time and not worry about what
someone else wanted to do, keeping a schedule, or feeling bad if I decided I wanted to change plans. It
was also good prep for when I travel Asia.
Hiroshima was first and it was beautiful. On my first day, after arriving in the
afternoon, I went to the Peace Park with the Memorial Museum and Atomic Bomb
Dome. Despite the setting and history it was truly a beautiful place and the
weather was perfect.
Funny story: I was walking through the Children’s
Memorial where they have thousands of paper cranes displayed in clear
cases. These cranes were made by
children (I believe) in honour of the ones who died from that fatal event. There
is a tall stone structure that has a crane perched on top. I wasn’t sure what was inside so I
checked it out and it was a crane shaped bell. So…I looked around and nobody was watching me and I rang the
bell. It was LOUD! I quickly
walked away…then a few others walked up and rang it too! Oh man, I was gonna be on the news for
inciting a disturbance and getting all these foreign fools to ring this
precious bell! Ahaha!!! I thought it was funny and will NEVER do that again :)
I hunted down Hirishima Okonomiyaki with oysters that
night for dinner. It was huge and
delicious and I added a little kimchi for a kick. Amazing! That
night I got no sleep just because I don’t travel well and one of my roomies was
pretty loud – crinkling plastic bags, repacking at 3 AM. Then another got up
super-early and left. So I was
awake and decided to start my day early.
Today I was heading to Miyajima.
I caught the streetcar at about 7:30 and made my way
over to the ferry. Just as well I
left early since there were a lot of other people on my commute. I got to the ferry just as the rain
started coming down. But the sight
was still beautiful and I got my first glimpse of the Itsukushima Shrine. The Great Torii floating in the water
at high tide. What a sight! I debarked and made my way through the
little town towards the shore. It
was really quiet at this time and the rain had stopped. I also got more pictures that ANYone
ever needs of the many wild deer strutting around looking for a snack and
trying to get into your pictures.
They weren’t aggressive but they knew what they wanted. A friend of mine told me when they went
for a visit they were getting their picture taken and a deer came up and
snatched their baby son’s snack!
Sneaky little buggers!
The torii at high tide is incredible. Just this huge, dominating, orange
structure in the calm blue sea.
Nothing around it. It was
one of the highlights of my trip to see this majestic piece of history. I took
so many pics and was trying to get me with the torii in the background at a
perfect angle. A difficult task
for someone travelling alone. This
sweet woman about my age was also alone and she asked if we could trade off :) Delighted!
As I was walking and checking out the stone lamps and
scenery a lot of junior high school kids were starting to fill the area
up. These two young boys were
watching me try to pet a deer and they mimed and used very basic English if I
wanted them to take the picture of me with the deer. So sweet and of course I said yes. Such manners!
Well I had planned a little too well because I was super-early
for low-tide and had a lot of time to kill. So what should I do? I walked around, took more pics of
deer, checked out the beautiful town, and then decided to climb a mountain on
an empty stomach and a headache from not sleeping. Best idea ever!
I made my way to the ropeway and was able to get a gondola (car? seating
box?) to myself! I sat back and
relaxed until I reached the top.
Then I climbed Mt. Misen.
It was a little cool with a slight breeze and the occasional
drizzle. But good grief – it got
hot real fast. I was sweating and
panting before I made it 15 minutes. I didn’t feel so bad because everyone was in the same
position – even the high school kids I passed. I saw some boys panting and they told me, “It’s hard! Good
luck!” Thanks boys. Then further
on this co-ed group moved past me and this one girl said, “Fight!” I took that
to heart and attacked the mountain…for 4 minutes then slowed right down again :) I had
been playing catch-up with this couple and their little daughter for a while;
we kept passing each other and would say hello and nod as is custom in Japan
when climbing a mountain.
Eventually, as I was passing them for the 3rd or 4th time the little girl
holds out her hand to me and says, “Dozo.” It was a candy!
How adorable!! I gladly
accepted.
I finally made it to the top. It was too bad I was having a slight
asthma problem from the climb because the view would have taken my breath
away. Even on the overcast, dreary
day it was pure beauty and peace.
A full 360 degree view from the platform. Totally worth the asthma attack and exhaustion. Then came the climb down…nothing
eventful but just as tiring. I
took the ropeway down again and saw the islands surrounding. Including one that looked like a
Hershey Kiss. I’m sure it has significance
but I can’t think of it now.
I had arrived for low tide. Fantastic! I walked out and saw the barnacles all over the
base with coins pushed into them for luck. This one little boy was going around and picking up the 100Y
coins from the ground! Where are your parents? The water was very calm further out. So calm a crane was standing and
slooooowwwwwllllyyy walking through the gentles waves and it wasn’t even fazed.
Then, in true Kalai fashion, I hunted down the best
kaki gori in town. This large bowl
of powder-shaved ice with strawberries frozen into the block. Topped with strawberry syrup and
condensed milk. A great lunch
anywhere :) I
stayed around for a bit just walking and contemplating.
This visit to Miyajima has been, by far, a top
experience in my life. There is
something about that place that just settles you. You find peace and calmness and happiness. Even now when I want to escape and am
tired of it all I think of my visit to Miyajima and wish to go back again to
have that peace once more.
I know everyone says there are places you must visit
when you come to Japan. All of
them are wonderful places but above all I recommend Hiroshima and Miyajima. It allowed me to make a big decision
and experience something truly essential to being me.
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