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Today I spent my time walking around Hiroshima. So much information availible in the arts museum at Hijiyama park and the Peace memorial, the actions and effects over the last 70 years unprecedented in history have been documented. The attacks here and in Nagasaki there were volumes of stories written by survivors as young as 6, which if it wasnt for the cold war would have been distributed to the world in order to highlight the sheer destructive force of what happened, and still lay waiting for anyone who is interested enough to visit. They are deeply disturbing and insightful at the same time. They give a first hand experiance of being attacked with such brutal force and the aftermath which proceeded, both emotionally, physically and now in the form of forgiveness spiritually.
Popular history is written by the people who dominate. The truth as to why the vast destructive force issued on that morning is still not available to either civilian sides involved, other than it was to protect and save the world from more destruction.. But as you switch on your favourite news channel it is obvious the industrial complex is not only getting stronger but now acting as a great force within our own countries mentality and economically changing the way we see fellow humans.
Recently RT news did a segment on this milestone in our human history and gave great honor to the people who forgave the actions taken against them, it is a good watch. It also helps to generate a mindset impartial which assists anyone's initial understanding. However based on a few personal experiences i am sure there is still some healing to do. But in general I have nothing but good things to say about this land and their beautiful people.
We are told that we are living in some of the most peacfull times yet the mainstream media and counterparts alike still supply enough tinder to create flames in the mind of the impressionable. With an influx of human migration in Europe due to certain aspects of climate and actions in the middle east I wonder whether we will ever get there. Things seem to be heating up and I wonder whether the world can or will ever truly be one. Some say violence is in our nature and to a certain extent I agree but how is it that more people in this world would rather be at peace than war. How many people really want to pull the trigger in life and who really wants war I would stand strong in my opinion that yes it is a minority of the upper echelon looking to divide and conquer using military tacttics which keep us held back.
Each and everyone is able to generate either peace or hate within their own person. This comes across in each step taken in their own path and making that conscious effort to change the mindset is just as important in holding one point of view dear. . It's tough to consider and even reading this back i think how bainial the words I write really stand for, as at the end of it all we are the same, stardust headed for the great infinity. We stand for our believes and ideology, while trending on others, an important person in my life told me that just because it is different doesn't mean its correct or any better. That diversity makes us unique and without separate believes maybe we would never evolve. That inner tension and space between different social constructs is surely where our inner creativity thrives.
Even now as I reflect on my time in Hiroshima, I remember a couple arguing at the dinner table close to us, right outside the Peace memorial park, thinking how selfish they were being, but then who am I to judge, maybe they were having a particularly difficult time, and considering the area maybe there are still remnants of sadness engraved into the land which manifest in the weaker spirit.
I reflect on my own actions many years ago as I toured Australia, I met lovely people and some I could have respected more. It is always possible to change the outcome in life and I am pleased to make that possible with a rekindled friendship here in Hiroshima.
Moving away from the esoteric and conceptual, I would like to state my amazement in the rebuilding of this area of the world. 70 years is a life time for many people and in this time an area has been transformed from what can only be described by pictures in the museum as a radioactive wasteland to now a green, vibrant and happening city. The History books here reveal a unique story of how the people came together and rebuilt, few of the trams destroyed in the event had the ability of being recommissioned, but a great mostly female effort was put in place to have them back on the tracks and working to help the wounded to re build the infrastructure so greatly needed.
I have had the unique opportunity to visit this area of the world to generate an educated understanding based on information from the west and the eastern history books. With new developments happening all over the world, here in Japan I feel safe that the right decisions are being made to constrict the flow of aggression which so regularly dominates world politics today and action taken in the name of world wide security. However given the information at hand the countries military is expanding which kind of contradicts the stance on peace bit with everything going on I am sure to defend the country is still high on the priority list.
After visiting Hiroshima I spent the day in Osaka with a dear friend, we didn't have much time to see the sights and I promise to come back to Osaka next time. All I can say is thank you Yayoi! it is amazing how easy things are here when you have a little help.
Ordering food, buying trinkets and navigating public transport became 10 times more efficient and enjoyable so again. Thank you.
Osaka demands more time as it really is a large city, however we were able to visit a rammen resturant before departing and wow I have to say the best ramen ever, the owner even opened up early to accommodate what I guess would have to be his favourite customer! Rammen is popular in Japan and has been a staple diet for me since I arrived. There are subtle differences in rammen depending which prefecture (or county for English) you are visiting. Example, Kyoto rammen seems to be using a lot of soy which is fairly salty, in Tokyo the rammen was more refined and contained finer vegetables like spring onions, as supposed to the chopped red onion we had in Osaka which was pork based and contained a fairly salty flavour. Still very much a beginner when it comes to rammen but next time I will be ready. I did threat to start cooking it at home.. But at the moment all I have on my mind is a roast dinner. Funny how you miss things you never really consider.
With my time in Japan is nearly up. Currently sat on the shinkansen watching the world pass at speed, looking forward to checking into my hotel for the last time and catching up with a few new friends in Tokyo city for a final blow out before the gardening season starts at home. A truly unique experiance here in Japan, one I will never forget. I could write and travel this country indefinatly however this will be the final blog.
For the future I would have liked to have given myself more time in the following areas; Shinto and Buddhist history, the gardens of Kyoto, agriculture in Japan, Japanese cuisine, Japanese demography particularly the old and young appreciation, culture and the future technology concerning plant cultivation and tea cultivation.
In hindsight I would have planned in more detail exactly where and what I was to do. Time spent travelling to spots closed for new year really was a waste of my limited time here. But overall this experiance has left me in awe. It really has something special for everyone, and I am sure alot more to offer.
That's all for now cheers, campai - arigato and sianara.. Travel mole signing off for another season. It's been so fun, inspirational and a real breath of fresh air. If you are thinking or ever thought about it, do it. It may just change your whole thought process.
I would like to thank the guys at Kyoto trip sound for making my stay fun. Yayoi for helping me around Hiroshima and showing me how fun Japan can be with a local. Ryo for his persistent friendship and plans for the future in visiting England to start a machta tea shop. Jeremy from Australia who we shared a few memorable kareokee songs with and a good night out. Tomakazo and Miki who inspired me to visit Kamakura for new years. Zack from Shibuya capsule hostel who helped with my understanding of checking in and how Japanese people work and his inspiration to visit Nikko which helped me a great deal and anyone I missed out.
Awesome times with awesome people a trip to remember for a life time. Arigato osimus ( in my best broken Japanese).
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dad Got to say ``I'm proud of you son - nice written blog - I'll have a roast dinner ready for you when you get back with maybe a bit of sushi on the side.......For memory sake