Hiroshima

I got here yesterday afternoon by train (an awesome way to travel over here!) and Anna was already off to Miyajima Island (I was suppose to go but I was booked on the milk run train from Osaka to Hiroshima...)

The hotel is amazing! I picked up the extra key, dropped my stuff and decided to go check out the city. Anna left me a note saying she would be back in town around 5pm.

I walked from the hotel to Peace Memorial Park. The park is beautiful (I took lots of photos!) I also went to the Peace Memorial Museum. Words can`t even begin to describe the unbelieveable sadness or this place... what are capable of people doing to each other.

After the museum I also saw the Children`s Peace Monument, the Flame of Peace (which will only be extinguished when there are no more nuclear weapons) and the Cenotaph. I ran into these ladies who are trying to learn English and trying to understand the word consequences. They did a pretty good job of cheering me up... they were very sweet.

Around 5, I met Anna back at the hotel! A great reunion! We went out for dinner and had a Hiroshima specialty... Okonomiyaki. It starts with a thin rice pancake on top of that they put a mound of cabbage and then noodles and then meat (mine had shrimp, squid, and pork) then they fry an egg really thin and put the pancakes/cabbage/meat layers on (pancake side up) then they flip it all over brush it with hoisen sauce (or a similar sauce) tons of green onions and then I had scallops on top of it all. It was SO good! I couldn@t eat it all though! It was a LOT of food.

I`m still experiencing some serious jet lag (India was no problem but it`s killer here) so my goal was to stay up until 10pm. I was so close... I fell asleep listening to CNN at 9:30! I was wide awake at 4am :( Anna said she was like this yesterday so hopefully tonight I will get full night`s sleep.

So today I went to Miyajima Island while Anna went to some talks. It was so easy to get to! I tool the tram to the train and took the ferry there. About an hour and I was there! I got some great high tide photos while Anna was able to get some low tide shots. I went up to the Buddhist temple it was amazing! Reminded a lot of northern India. I got a rice paddle (apparently they originate from this island) and some good fortune charms. I also got a used kimono (it was a great deal at 1050 Yen = a little less than $10) its black, cream, and brown... Very beautiful.

I met up with Anna for lunch (we ate at a 7-11!) and now she is back at to conference and I`m off to explore the temple on the corner near our hotel.

Tomorrow we are off for Kyoto! Hope everyone is doing fine!

I`m cheering for the SENS over here! Hopefully back it home we can kick some butt!!!
GO SENS GO!!!