Japan & Hong Kong
As our last
trip of our first year in India, Angela and I took advantage of the
opportunity to get away and see some of the Asian Region. I had to get my
annual flight physical, which was to be provided at Yokota Air Base outside
Tokyo. So we contacted Rich and Erika Tanner, (OSC 07 Kobe) and arranged to
spend a few extra days with them so we could see some of Japan. Because of
the expenses involved in getting to and traveling within Japan, if it were
not for the Air Force paying for my air ticket and a couple of nights
lodging, this trip would have been cost-prohibitive. But we decided that
the extra expense would be worth the chance to see the most developed
country in Asia – one defeated and decimated in the world’s worst war only
63 years before.
While
making ticket arrangements, we learned that most flights would layover in
Hong Kong. We contacted Chris Johnson (OSC 06 Hong Kong) and learned he
would still be in town (his PCS was fast approaching), so we made
arrangements for an overnight layover to see him and his city for an
evening. Chris had planned to visit India in January with other China
scholars, but had to cancel, so we were glad to get to meet him after all.
As it turned out, Mimi Waters also met us there since she was in Hong Kong
renewing her visa, and Brian and Akiko Denaro came down from Guangzhou (only
a one-hour train ride to Hong Kong). We had a great time seeing the town
and getting together – getting together as scholars is always a highlight
for us. Chris was a great host considering he had only one week before his
move-out.
In Japan at
Yokota we accomplished medical and optometry exams for both me and Angela,
and I also got my dental exam and took the DLPT for Hindi. This was my once
chance to take it since there are no provisions for DLPT testing in India
(yet). After two days of tests, Angela and I enjoyed another day in Tokyo
at the New Sanno Hotel (for Military and Dependents – an awesome and
affordable facility in town), and then we took the bullet train to Kobe to
be with the Tanners. The cleanliness, efficiency, and stoic façade of Japan
was yet another culture shock coming from dirty, noisy, festive India – but
it was one we appreciated and enjoyed. We also got a dose of what it is
like to live where there is very little English – and we felt a bit lost at
times staring at Japanese everywhere. But at the Tanners we felt at home
and enjoyed four days of good Japanese food, historic sights, and time to
catch up and compare our cultural experiences. Besides showing us Kobe, we
travelled to Himeji Castle, Miyajima Island, and Hiroshima. Hiroshima was a
sobering and memorable experience, and one we highly recommend to any who
travel in Japan. The Peace Memorial Museum was at once informative,
shocking, and balanced in its explanation of what occurred there in 1945.
The horrors of the effects of the use of nuclear weapons should not be
forgotten, and this city certainly maintains its right to stand vigil
against their future employment. Amazingly, besides the memorial area the
city itself has virtually no reminders of the carnage that took place, and
it is a beautiful, modern city today. Miyajima was a wonderfully scenic and
a perfect complement to Hiroshima. It took an hour or two of ferry boat
rides to get us to the island in the Bay outside Hiroshima. On Miyajima we
enjoyed the wild deer that wander the island in semi-domesticated fashion
(like cows in India!), as well as the Itsukushima Shrine with its massive
Torii that dates to the 6th Century A.D. Thanks to the Tanners
we had a wonderful trip and an insightful glimpse into life in Japan. Any
service members who must travel to Japan for medical exams or other tests
should not miss the opportunity to see more of the country with their
scholar classmates that live there.
