Idle musings on serious and less-serious topics
Paper Cranes
Today one of the teachers lent me a book of poems about Hiroshima. At first, I was a bit taken a back – but then I realized that it was probably the only book he had that was partially in English (all the poems were in both Japanese and English). They were beautiful and tragic. At the end of the book was a letter from maybe, the compiler, I’m not sure – but it said that one day she hoped that this book would be in all languages so that everyone could understand that most of us are living in a time of peace and how crucial it is that we maintain it. Then I thought some more. Hiroshima isn’t about who was to blame or who did or didn’t deserved it – in fact, it’s not just a tragedy for Japan, but for the entire world. The poems weren’t from the point of views of soldiers, but of parents and children. About people who died in Hiroshima and about people who go on to die after.
When the Japanese mention Hiroshima they aren’t saying, “This is your fault,” they’re saying, “This was a tragedy – let’s not let it happen again.”
Of course, I can’t speak for everyone. Normally, this would be a rather heavy and bold topic that I wouldn’t dare touch on.
Places I’m going to visit while in Japan: Nara and Hiroshima.
*In other news!*
It’s 30 degree Celsius today and I’ve drank 3 bottles of water today. Also, I went to the 100 Yen store today – which is the Japanese equivalent to a dollar store…only not, because it is filled with awesome things! I bought a bear towel because I’ve learnt that with all the heat and the sweating, you really need a small towel at all time. Apparently this is an uncharacteristic summer for the north of the Japan, it’s usually much closer to Alberta temperature. I also bought some chopsticks and a chopstick box for school lunches, and a tea cup with a panda on it that says “Nihao.” (That’s Chinese, bee-tee-dub) The dishes and cups in the 100 Yen shop are so pretty! One thing I’ll miss about Japan and be sad to leave behind is all the cute dishes and home accessories. Kind of weird, I know.
Lastly, I bought a small notebook for writing down new words that I learn. I’ve got to start taking this studying thing seriously!
Oh yeah, today I was applauded in class for being able to read English fast. The teacher wanted me to show them that I was speaking at an abnormally slow rate for their benefit but not to make them feel bad, just to show them that English speakers really don’t talk so slow or enunciate their word quite so deliberately .
I think when I come home, I’ll request daily applause from my friends for something random and mundane. I’ll return the favour of course. We’ll all feel like superheroes.
“Clap clap! You put on matching socks today!” (no wait, that’s not mundane – THAT’S HARD!)
Or how about:
“Clap clap! You can use a spoon!”
Catching what I’m drifting!? It’ll be a movement.