hiroshima mon amour
Hiroshima is all over the news today. That's a good thing. I can't begin to describe what it feels like, being here: from the crowded, sweaty, emotional peace ceremony this morning, where we saw Koizumi speak, as well as the speakers of both houses, the chief justice of the supreme court, and the mayor and governor of Hiroshima; to the tiny, crowded manga cafe where I am with my new friend, Higu-pon--my best friend among the Japanese delegates and only the second guy friend I've ever made here in Japan.
I went out on an adventure last night with Cisco, a crazy friend on the American side who reminds me of Kris in how he likes to have fun, and in the incredible, unbelievable stories he tells (and yet, they're true--we just left him with this gorgeous friend of his, a Japanese American girl from Chicago--she really exists). He's an artist and some of the stuff he talks about makes it sound like he's always on drugs. Only he's not, and he makes me think, and he opens my eyes, which is more than I can say for most of the other delegates here. We explored Hiroshima a bit, then went to one bar, then got escorted to another, talked to some people, and went home "early." It was already August 6 and it was already affecting us.
This morning, while sweating and baking in the hot, humid weather, I listened to all of the speeches in the Japanese, and understood them almost perfectly. I find this hard to believe but incredibly motivating. We're enjoying the only free time we have here in Hiroshima now--a city full today with people, observers and protestors, from all over the world, absolutely fascinating--and tomorrow we leave for Okinawa. I wish we had more time here. I like this town, just like I did last time I came here. The most moving part of the ceremony this morning was the children's address. I cried.
Still, it's all very unreal, being here, doing what we're doing.
Things are better. I'm getting a better feel for the conference, for the people, for my personal goals here. I've made at least a couple of friends, and that makes it so much more worthwhile. As for all the rest--who knows, and we still have 2+ weeks left.
Don't really know what else to say here. There's too much, and not enough time. I'm excited about Okinawa, and the rest of this conference. I won't let the petty things get to me any longer.
I went out on an adventure last night with Cisco, a crazy friend on the American side who reminds me of Kris in how he likes to have fun, and in the incredible, unbelievable stories he tells (and yet, they're true--we just left him with this gorgeous friend of his, a Japanese American girl from Chicago--she really exists). He's an artist and some of the stuff he talks about makes it sound like he's always on drugs. Only he's not, and he makes me think, and he opens my eyes, which is more than I can say for most of the other delegates here. We explored Hiroshima a bit, then went to one bar, then got escorted to another, talked to some people, and went home "early." It was already August 6 and it was already affecting us.
This morning, while sweating and baking in the hot, humid weather, I listened to all of the speeches in the Japanese, and understood them almost perfectly. I find this hard to believe but incredibly motivating. We're enjoying the only free time we have here in Hiroshima now--a city full today with people, observers and protestors, from all over the world, absolutely fascinating--and tomorrow we leave for Okinawa. I wish we had more time here. I like this town, just like I did last time I came here. The most moving part of the ceremony this morning was the children's address. I cried.
Still, it's all very unreal, being here, doing what we're doing.
Things are better. I'm getting a better feel for the conference, for the people, for my personal goals here. I've made at least a couple of friends, and that makes it so much more worthwhile. As for all the rest--who knows, and we still have 2+ weeks left.
Don't really know what else to say here. There's too much, and not enough time. I'm excited about Okinawa, and the rest of this conference. I won't let the petty things get to me any longer.