Hiroshima (20. Jan.)

After sleeping gloriously, I decided to check out my hotel's breakfast.

Clockwise, starting from the top-left corner: some kind of fried noodles, cabbage salad, scrambled eggs, "spicy" noodles (spicy for Japanese, but bland for Koreans), and lotus root with carrots. I really enjoyed them, just that the eggs were a bit runny for my taste.

Off to explore!

Plaque at Hiroshima Station.

Pretty mushroom fountain.

There's a sightseeing bus that starts off at Hiroshima station and makes several stops along the city (2 different routes, but most stops are shared by both). For 200 Yen (less than $2 USD) you can get a one-way trip. For 400 Yen (less than $4 USD) you can ride the buses all day. With the JR Pass, you can ride them all day, every day, for FREE. I LOVE my JR Pass!

First stop: Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park (naturally)

Panoramic shot from the A-Bomb Dome, looking towards the park, just across the river.

A-Bomb Dome.

Most info is in Japanese, English, Korean, and Chinese (Mandarin)--usually in that order, too.

Whoa.

Another angle.

I decided to look for the mark of the epicenter (or "hypocenter", as they call it). I passed by it and didn't see it until I went back and literally bumped into it.

The marker.

Yours truly with said marker.

See how it's kind of easy to miss, especially when this is not what I was expecting?

(btw: all whole-body self-shots were done by timer-mode).

Children's Peace Monument

The top has a statue of a girl named Sadako Sasaki. She was 2 years old when the bomb fell on Hiroshima. When she was 12, she died of leukemia, due to the intense radiation.

She made +1,000 paper cranes, 'cause it was believed if you did, you'd be granted a wish. I think that's why you'll see bunches of paper cranes in leis at all these different sites, in hopes of attaining world peace or something like that.

A close-up of Sadako.

The Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum in the background, with the Eternal Flame in the foreground.

The Memorial Cenotaph

The Fountain of Prayer

You can see the fountain in the middle-ground here.

Statue of Mother and Child (Children?) in the Storm is in the foreground.

Monument to the A-bombed Teachers and Students of National Elementary Schools

Just in case you were wondering, this clearly says to not feed the birds.

I find it rather cute.

Monument to the Korean Victims and Survivors.

Better view of the actual monument.

I've never seen a tree with branches that go straight up like this.

Peace Clock Tower

Bell of Peace

For info, click on the photo below.

The A-bomb dome, with a plaque in the forefront of how it used to be.

This gentleman caught my eye. He wanted me to see something . . .

Why hello there!

Wow, only a gentle soul could do that.

Hiroshima National Peace Memorial Hall for the Atomic Bomb Victims

This is the way I went in.

There are so many fountains of water.

This is the other entrance.

Where do you want to go?

Let's go into the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum

Recreated scene of the destruction, to get you ready for what you are about to see.

Getting into it, yet?

An actual-size replica of the "Little Boy" that was dropped from Enola Gay over Hiroshima on Aug. 6, 1945 at 8:15am. 

A model of Hiroshima.

The red ball represents the size of the explosion (minus clouds) and where above Hiroshima it appeared. As you can see, this bomb was a "mini-sun".

An atomic "shadow" left by a victim who was pulverized by the blast.

yeap, an actual glass bottle.

What are these?

Look at the next picture.

Yeah.

whoa.

Scenes of destruction.

Black rain?

Yeesh.

There's a section that's under construction and is scheduled to open on Feb. 28 2015 . . . but I'd still recommend going. It's the best 50 Yen ($0.50 USD) I've spent in a long time.

A bus stop for the Hiroshima Sightseeing Loop Bus.

So, off in search of lunch at Hatchobori (near my hotel)!

Japanese curry at Curry House CoCo.

This is the chicken cutlet. Very nice.

You can have a table or a booth (the booth section is actually quite large).

Deep-fried curry stick and mango pudding. Soooo good!

Back on the bus to check out 1 more place before the buses stop for the day:

Hiroshima Castle

There she is in the distance.

All this is reconstructed, by the way.

Looks nice.

Looks inviting.

Hmm, obviously a foundation of sorts.

This tree was hit by the atomic bomb too.

A shrine before getting to the actual castle.

Hmm, not bad at all.

Play dress-up? Why not?

(this picture was actually taken by a museum staff member)

"I wish I had my sword, but I'll make you think I don't need it."

A view of modern Hiroshima from the top of the castle.

Hiroshima Castle at sunset.

(I ran through it, seeing I had only 30 minutes to go through it all, and the top, and then come back down. Yeah, not a lot of time to really look and appreciate what they had)

Fountain of Prayer again.

The Gates of Peace

International Conference Center Hiroshima

Wait, hold up. Is that what I think it is? . . . .

Yes! It is a giant Korean drum!

Okay, I made it back to Hiroshima Station and I walk back to my hotel.

Bike-parking at a random apartment building.

Oh, traditional Japanese wear!

Wait, how much?!

Ugh . . . nevermind . . . 

Hmm, let's see how expensive the produce is . . .

Hmm, what do you think (prices of produce are above the items)?

Back at my hotel and decide to get some tea (free drinks--non-alcoholic--24/7).

The dining area.

Yes, you can take cold water to your room.

It can get quite dry in Japan.

Assortment of teas.

As well as coffees and soft drinks.

What a day! Time to go to bed.

End of Day 2.

Back to Japan (From Seoul to Nagasaki to Hiroshima)

Alright, I'm back from Japan and with a ton of pictures to share!

I got back to Korea on Jan. 29th, but met other friends in Jeju and Seoul and didn't make it back home til Monday night (Feb. 2). I had to look through 1,043 pictures from those days, and here are some to share.

First off, let me give you an idea of winter in Gangwon Province:

Yes, this is real frost.

Close-up of said frost.

It clearly gets freezing here in Korea (notably Gangwon Province) during the winter. Fortunately, the area of Japan I'd be visiting would be between Busan's parallel to much more southern than Jeju. Was I looking for tropical summer? No, just warmer than here.

My journey actually began the day before I left for Japan, on Jan. 18th. I went to Seoul to meet up with  a friend and her family, whom I haven't seen at all since I returned to this country.

This is what we were going for when looking for lunch.

Since I was going to spend the night in Incheon International Airport (again, *sigh*), I didn't have many plans bu plenty of time. So after hanging out for a while, they took me to their home in another area of hilly Seoul. Got to see them spending quality family time.

Jacob with their daughter, JoElle.

Jacob playing with his son, Joseph.

Not sure where Mechelle was at the time, but she was there too.

So, after 21:00, Jacob took me to the bus stop and accompanied me to the subway station so I could get the last train on the airport railway (subway that goes to both airports). After arriving, and seeing I had nothing to do til 6 am (flight left @ 8am), I walked around and explored a little, while scouting for some place to sleep.

Indoor ice-skating rink.

Not very big.

Entrance and skate rental.

Cinema.

I was really disappointed that they were closed. I arrived around 23:00, so they could've still been showing a movie or two.

I guess winter and star constellations are the theme.

The KTX (Korea's version of the bullet train) runs directly here to the airport. This country runs on convenience.

The hallway connecting the building I was currently exploring, to the main airport terminal.

Oh, so that is how (and when) they clean the catwalks.

This time is perfect.

A cafe on the 3rd floor.

Some people decided to sleep there for the night.

You see the longer lounge chair? That's where I tried to sleep for an hour. It was near the parking lot, so there was a cold draft coming in and making it difficult to sleep any longer.

Remember when I returned from Japan the last time there was a place called "Spa on Air" and I took a picture of it? (the post with pic at the end here) I tried to reserve a bed for that night. I called 2 weeks before and they said they could only reserve 1 week in advance. So I called again the Monday morning before (this was for Sunday night), and they said they were all full. Huh?

The entrance to Spa on Air.

Well, I see they weren't kidding.

Oh, they changed the setting of the stage . . .

So, after being a homeless bum, wandering from floor to floor, bench to possible bench, and getting about 3 hours of intended sleep, it was time to check in. I did and went through security as quickly as possible, although I really didn't have much of a rush. Yet again, plenty of time before I had to be at my gate, so I wandered around a bit.

Who knew?

An example of the Konglish/Engrish you will find in Korea.

On the plane, was dead except for needing to fill out the immigration form, and made it through Nagasaki airport. A kind lady with pretty good English helped me get a bus that would take me to Nagasaki station (Nagasaki airport is on an island, no joke. You'll see picture of it when I leave). Since I was half-asleep, I heard "Nagasaki Station" and got off--only to realize it was Nagasaki POLICE station. Why did I get off, if the last stop on that bus was Nagasaki TRAIN Station? Again, I was running on barely no sleep. So, I ended up walking about 5 km to the station. Thank GOD it was clearly marked and the road signs were helpful.

At least I got to get to know Nagasaki a little before coming back--and getting a wakening walk in too.

Pedestrian bridge to Nagasaki Station (on the left).

Since this is a busy area with cars, buses, and streetcars, they made pedestrian bridges for all of that. Genius!

Boy, do they love their scooters and motorcycles!

Got my official JR Pass and an itinerary to Hiroshima: Nagasaki - Shin-Tosu - Hiroshima.
Yeah, I slept most of the way too.

Now, at Hiroshima Station

Plenty of lockers. Later I was to discover these weren't the only ones, as this station is pretty big.

Ah, one of these ramen restaurants where you order at the machine just beside the door, get your ticket, switch said ticket for your food when it's ready, and eat there (mostly standing).

I didn't go. I was told most ramen broth are pork-bone-based--I don't eat pork--and I know absolutely no Japanese whatsoever. Too much trouble, as far as I'm concerned.

Let the diet begin . . .

Coming out of exit 9 (?) from Hiroshima station, on to the road to get to my hotel.

My hotel, Urbain Hiroshima Central. Ended up being 1.4 km from the station. Close enough, if you ask me.

Just across from my hotel, bike parking (as well as a streetcar line)!

Let's see the inside of my room, shall we?

My bathroom.

Yes, the tub is quiet small, but this is Japan: space is limited.

My bed with my stuff on it.

See the light brown thing? Those are a type of PJ's provided by the hotel (and changed everyday).

Desk area, just across from my bed.

You can see the time I took this (in the afternoon).

After settling in, showering, and getting ready, I decided to go out for a walk to explore my area by night. I had no idea I was just a few blocks away from a major shopping district. Nice surprise, eh?

Said shopping district.

I believe it's called "Hatchoubori"

Oh, and this is just 1 "limb" of the body/shopping district.

Oh my, really?

This makes my Spanish-side cringe (supposed to by "Quixote" and the "x" does have an "h" sound here)

Ok, enough exploration. I'm exhausted and need to sleep--desperately.

End of Day 1.

Quick note

Hi people, just wanted to give you a head's up that I'm not going to post anything new for a while, 'cause I'm currently on my winter vacation--in Japan.

I'll be back in Korea come Thursday, but still traveling around until Monday or so. So with looking through pictures and then posting them here . . . it's gonna take a long time. 

Look for new updates/pictures in February!

Happy New Year, 1st Weekend of 2015 in 천안 (2.-4.Jan.)

Let me start my 1st post of 2015 with a hearty "Happy New Year!" and sincere wishes of health and prosperity for each and everyone of you, your families, and your friends.

I mean it.

I just came back from a weekend in 천안 (Cheonan); the city that was my home in Korea for my 1st year in this country. Why? Seeing that as of today, I'll be leaving Korea for good in 2 months, I should start saying my "goodbyes" and try squeezing everyone in, before my time runs out. I've gone through this twice before. I know the last couple of weeks are hectic. So if I can spread out the last-minute chaos, then the end won't be so exhausting--or so I hope.

So yes, I'll be leaving for good, if that's the Lord's will. I've paid off my student loans and have no more debts. The Korean government is cutting down on foreign teachers/native-speakers in public schools (making _good_ jobs scarce), and I don't have the desire to stay in Korea permanently, so I'd say the decision has been made for me. The thing about Korea that makes me not want to stay is that I'll never be accepted. I can become a fluent in Korean, learn all the customs and mannerisms, even marry a Korean man whose parents adore me; but they will all see that I'm obviously not Asian--so definitely not Korean. I'll always be a 외국인, foreigner. No matter what. That makes me sad. I was accepted in Germanic Europe, but I can never be accepted here in Korea.

I'd love to visit Korea in the future, but that will be very difficult (main reasons being money, then time).

Anyway, I saw 6 different people. The 1st one broke my heart. I found out through a text back in November that one of my former students died. So I wanted to see if I could see his widow. I did and she explained what happened to me as best as she could. He died of a cardiac arrest. He was such a sweet man, a loving husband, and an excellent father. Please, pray for his widow and children as they continue on. Family members have pitched in to help, but please pray for them. May GOD be ever near that sweet family.

Then I was with a former-student who will emigrate to Germany through the student-route--or so the plan goes. I got to give him a taste of German--and what he's getting himself into. He's going to have a really rough time the 1st year (or two), but as long as he sticks to it, he'll be fine. Pray for him too, please.

We went to another former-student, Sooway, and his new PC Bang (internet cafe). After hanging out in his new establishment for a while, he invited us out for dinner: chicken!

Chili/spicy chicken at the top, and garlic chicken at the bottom.

All the side-dishes you see are free (typical of Korea. How I'll miss it!)

Not the most flattering picture, sorry guys.

After dinner, the Germany-bound one dropped me off at my hotel, "Top Hotel Cheonan,"

The receptionist area.

It begins on the 6th floor of a building and has rooms up to the 9th floor.

This tree just captured me.

My room's bathroom.

The glass dividing the shower area from the sink and toilet.

Ooooooo a body shower!

You bet I took advantage of this!

My bed.

The mirror, TV, computer, mini-fridge, complimentary toiletries and beverages . . . oh yeah, I love Korean hotels!

The view from my window.

  

The daily breakfast: toast and jam.

Oh, oranges! Ah, coffee too.

For more information on this hotel, click here.

Sabbath morning, it was a late brunch with 3 lovely ladies who were all my former-students. After the healthy meal, it was off to a cafe. We spent a really nice time just catching up.

These ladies make leaving Korea soooo hard!

If you see closely, the middle one is holding a Polaroid photo that was just taken of the four of us.

They had to go their separate ways. I had nothing to do, so one of them brought me to her home to spend some time with her, her husband, and her cute little daughter.

Said cute daughter.

It took a while for her to fall asleep. Afterwards, we were careful not to make noise, since she's sensitive to noise and can wake up at any moment.

Then it was to a bakery/cafe with one of the three (the daughter's mother joined us later). So, off I was again with the one at the cafe as she took me to her home. There, I saw her two sons (boy did they grow!) and a friend of the family. He downloaded "The Interview" on New Years' so he showed it to us. Wow, it was so funny and stupid, yet funny . . . yeah. You'll just have to see it for yourself if you really want to know.

Sunday morning, it was off to Costco for a few things, black bread at the Emart beside the bus platforms in Cheonan Bus Terminal, and lunch at Pho Mein just a block away. Seeing most were busy and it was a good idea to get home early, I took the direct bus from Cheonan to Wonju @ 13:55 (took about 1 hr. and 35 min.) instead of the planned 17:40 bus. I made it home a little after 16:00.

That was my weekend. It was really good to reconnect and I hope to see them all again one day.

Before I sign off, here's a little bit of a culture-shock for me:

These are two young men/teenagers. I doubt they are brothers. No one thinks anything of this in Korea. It would be the same if the one sitting upright was a mother and the one with his head on the guy's lap was the mother's 4-year-old child. No big deal. Serious bromance, but nothing strange.

What do you think?