Friday, July 29, 2011

Catch-up

Children Memorial in Hiroshima
The past two weeks have been all about playing catch-up.  I returned to the US on July 19th and since then I've been catching up with family and friends, catching up with meetings and requirements for the ordination process, catching up on the Harry Potter movies and now, finally, catching up on my blog.  I have three more posts planned and after that I will be laying this blog to rest.  It was an excellent way to communicate my experiences with family and friends around the world and will serve as a wonderful memory of my year in Japan.  So, without further ado...

Travel:
Over the past year in Japan I have had some amazing travel opportunities, all of which I've documented on this blog.  I've be so blessed that I was able to do and see so much during my time in Japan.  During my last month in Japan I was able to go on two more trips.  First, a good friend from my hometown came to visit for two weeks.  While she was here I showed her around Nagoya and took her to my work for the first week of her trip.  During her second week here we were able to take a train to Kyoto and from there we jumped on a seven hour bus to Hiroshima.  Then, pretty much as soon as Carrie left, I took off for Matsumoto, Japan and Kamikotchi Park with St. Stephan's church, my "home parish" in Japan. 


Watch stopped at 8:15am-the time the A-bomb was dropped
These trips were both important for different reasons.  Since the beginning of my time in Japan I have wanted to visit Hiroshima.  I felt that it was important for me as a missionary to Japan and as an American to visit the city and see the museum and monuments.  I am glad that I had the opportunity to go.  My second trip, the "St. Stephan's Tour" was important because it was a last minute chance for me to spend time with the people who have been my friends and co-workers for the past year before I left for America. 

Now that I'm home it feels like these trips were years ago-not just a few weeks!  However, these two trips are proving to be two of my most important memories from my past year.
3-D movie about Nagoya!

Homeless volunteers meeting.  DELICIOUS tempura lunch.

Okonomiyaki-my favorite food in Japan (on the right)

Kinkakuji- the Golden Temple in Kyoto

The A-Bomb dome. 

Origami Cranes from Hiroshima
River at Kamikochi National Park

I was super excited to see a reference to Walden Pond in Japan!


Kamikochi


We were in the Japanese Alps.  It was so beautiful there.


No comments:

Post a Comment