This day started off with a regular breakfast in Nagasaki and then we hopped on the bus to head to Omura. However before we headed to Omura. It was a stop that I will never forget and another one of the moments in life that make you think a little more deeply than you have before.
We travelled not far from the hotel and took a little side road and went up a hill. The bus stopped and we all hopped out. A few hundred metres away was ground zero where the atomic bomb was dropped during WWII. Walking toward the area was a different feeling. One of anticipation where you wanted to see it but also a feeling of dread as we were all taught in school about the devastation that occurred here. You can see a pic of ground zero below.
It was amazing to stand there and think about what happened. I spent a few minutes just thinking about how lucky we are in Canada and how lucky we are to have our families and friends with us. There were a few things that were erected there as reminders. One was a piece of a temple that was built in the 1600's. The piece was the only thing left standing of the temple after the explosion. There was also a piece of a church there. We then walked up to the Peace Park which is a very nice park with statues donated from around the world.
After this we came back to the bus with about 25 minutes or so left before we left. Mike and I decided to go into the Atomic Bomb Museum. I thought that ground zero was moving. Not even close. Perhaps the most sombre and moving 25 minutes of my life. There were many remnants left from the explosion. Melted bottles, a piece of wall with the burned in image of a clothes line and clothes, glass shattered and embedded in rock plus all kinds of other things. Many mind blowing things. Then came the pictures of people both dead and alive and pictures of the suffering. Very sad. I had to stop reading some of the things. It was tough. There is also a story and picture of a little boy after the explosion that was very sad and I will never forget the image. Needless to say it was a very somber experience. Very moving.
Once everyone got back to the bus we headed off for Omura. It was a nice ride for about an hour. The country side is very green and lush with different trees and grasses. Very pretty. We passed a number of traditional homes which were quite neat to look at. We arrived at our next hotel and it is very nice.
Lunch came right away so here goes:
Chicken in radish sauce, fries, ginger pork, Udoh with noodles (like a vegetable pancake - Fantastic), Beef and tofu, different fish dishes, salads, fruit and one of my new all time favorites....Drum roll please......Chilled Pumpkin Soup. Absolutely outstanding. Fantastic.
After lunch we had a film session with the coaches at 2:30 and the players arrived at 3:00 for their viewing. At 3:30 we departed for the gym for practice. We had a pretty decent practice but it started slowly. Went OK though. The facility is beautiful.
After practice we came back to the hotel and had a little rest before supper. I had washed some clothes in the tub when we got here and was hoping they would dry better at this hotel. What a find I made. Outside on my balcony there is a hot air vent which apparently is part of the cooling system. Some strategically placed hangers and my stuff is all dry....WOOHOO. Keeping clothes clean in this environment is a pain in the butt.
Dinner was at 7PM and it wasreally good. Here is the breakdown of the offerings:
Beefsteak and veggies, grilled hamburger steak, sweet and sour pork, rice, beef and veggie curry, salmon, some other fish, shrimp, cheese balls and lots of fruit and salads. A good meal.
So now it is off to watch some filmand get ready. The temperature in the room with the air conditioning on is 25 degrees. Comfy sleep coming I can see.
Tomorrow we check out at 12:30, go play our game at 2pm and then travel 2 hours to Fukuoka for our next game. The Japan phase is winding down.
Until Tomorrow
1 comment:
Fabe,
Really enjoying your blog. Of course I always look forward in reading about basketball, but being a history teacher, your blog on Nagasaki was so riveting.
Thanks for sharing. Spizz
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