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Articles Tagged ‘Bob’s Trips’
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Nagasaki
Sunday, May 15th, 2016Bob took a cruise last month and Nagasaki was one of the stops. He sent me this:
“Enclosed a few pics from Nagasaki..
They were taken at the site of the A bomb explosion which is now a peace park and museum. The sculptures(about 50) were sent by various cities/countries to Nagasaki in commemoration. The photo of the young boy transporting his brother is in the museum. It was taken 2-3 days after the explosion by an American news photographer at a public, recently erected crematorium where the Japanese boy was depositing his dead brother. Horribly powerful.
Curious that I was self-conscientiously uncomfortable and embarrassed at the war museum in Saigon but in Nagasaki I did not feel the guilt. In the museum there was a chronology of events. An interesting entry Dec. 1941 “Japan enters the war in the Pacific” (no mention that it was Japan’s attack on Pearl Harbor). Toward the end of chronologic museum tour it was noted that the bomb was probably unnecessary as Japan was near defeat (but without the bombs it probably would have necessitated an American invasion of Japan proper). USA was also called to task for not issuing a warning. Nagasaki was the secondary target that day – the prime target was fogged in (a city I did not recognize). Also unfortunate that Nagasaki, at the time of the bombing, was primarily women and children – the men were off fighting.
It is scary that the Japanese people could have been led to such a fury of imperialism, blind devotion to the emperor and interpersonal cruelty (comfort women of Korea and China) the treatment of prisoners-of-war. (if you have not seen “Railway Man” check it out). Very unlike my experience (brief) with the Japanese people. I found them to be polite, respectful, well-mannered and genteel. In Tokyo busy but in the smaller southern cities I was frequently stopped and engaged. A small sample size granted but I was impressed. But scary how a population can be enticed & subjected to demagoguery (American Trumpism?, or perhaps worse, American bible-thumping Cruzism?). Emotionalism trumping rationality.”
My response:
Wow.
Nice piece.
I was interested in which countries/cities sent which sculptures.
I liked the Tree of Life done by aboriginals in Australia. Â
The second I saw the big muscular peace statue, before I read an explanation, I was embarrassed to think of the U.S.  Japanese people don’t look like that.
Thoughts:
Your experience of Japanese people vs. what their government was once capable of. And what it has learned.
My experience of American people vs what our government is capable of. (eg. drones and torture) And what it has not learned.
Humbling…
‘But scary how a population can be enticed & subjected to demagoguery (American Trumpism?, or perhaps worse, American bible-thumping Cruzism?). Emotionalism trumping rationality.’
Indeed.
But we don’t know history so how can we learn from it.
Bob, Josh and Luk In Bangkok
Wednesday, March 7th, 2007
My son Josh is Chef de Cuisine of "One East On Third" in the Hilton Hotel in Beijing. He was sent by the Executive Chef to Bangkok last week to check out some restaurants there. Luk, a delightful Thai ... [Continue reading this entry]
Culture Shock
Monday, April 3rd, 2006
as my mother would have said.): Am taking the liberty of posting Bob's April 3 email describing homecoming culture shock after arriving home in Oregon from Asia...very succinct.
good morning; On Comcast internet--- and it's fast. What a pleasure. The air is fresh. It's brisk. Everything green. No ... [Continue reading this entry]
Familiar Bangkok
Saturday, January 7th, 2006
Arrived in Bangkok on Jan 3rd on China Air after 17 hours and stops in Anchorage and Taiwan. There has been a cooling in Asia (northern India actually falling below freezing) and it has ... [Continue reading this entry] A Harley in Viet Nam
Saturday, June 18th, 2005
June 10, 2004
While I was in Bangkok Bob flew to Vietnam. He wrote to say he had difficulties accessing the web today and spent most of the day traveling.
His emails:
Now in Da lat ... [Continue reading this entry] Trekking Northern Thailand
Saturday, April 2nd, 2005
As soon as we returned to Bangkok from Bali Bob took a train to Chiang Mai for a trek in northern Thailand near Mae Son Hong. I stayed in Bangkok to have some ... [Continue reading this entry] Bali Indonesia
Monday, March 14th, 2005
Godday!!! (with an Aussie accent we picked up here!)
We are currently in Bali Indonesia. It was a spur of the moment decision to head down here. Tomorrow ... [Continue reading this entry] Vibrant Bangkok
Friday, March 11th, 2005
Bangkok Air From Koh Samui to Bangkok again. Not a pretty city but it's vibrant. The populace, as with much of Asia, lives outdoors-almost all 10 million of them. It is increasingly cosmopolitan and this year seems ... [Continue reading this entry]
Yangshau
Monday, December 6th, 2004
Currently in a delightful city (Yangshau) that is on the Yangtze River about 100 miles north of Shanghai.
China's autumn has been fantastic, the people interesting (and challanging) and the food tasty (most of ... [Continue reading this entry] Yangshau & Shanghai
Monday, November 15th, 2004
To Bob
When I sent e-mail had not seen your messages. Your place sounds great--will spend a couple more days here before moving on--would like to access your place. gonna run back to ... [Continue reading this entry] Tai Shan Sacred Mountain
Sunday, November 14th, 2004
Located midway between Beijing and Shanghai, "Tai Shan" is probably the most famous of the five sacred mountains of China. According to legend Tai Shan represents the head of Pan Gu, who ... [Continue reading this entry] “No Foreigners Allowed”
Wednesday, November 3rd, 2004
Travelled last p.m. from Tengshau to Yangzhau--train left at 7 p.m.--reported to be a 10 hr ride--however was aroused at 2 a.m. by the train mother that it was time to get off--so ... [Continue reading this entry] Lao Shan Mountain Climb
Sunday, October 31st, 2004
Spent 3 days in Quin Dao...one in new part of town, one in old town and one on a mountain north of town called Lao Shan--subsequently took train to Tai'an and climbed Tai ... [Continue reading this entry] Great Days Great Wall
Sunday, October 17th, 2004
Video
E found the website (www.wildwall.com) and the adventure offered intriguing potential...off the beaten track, away from the Chinese tourist groups that follow a guide with a microphone and colored flag held high ... [Continue reading this entry] Message from Ulaan Bataar
Saturday, October 9th, 2004
Greetings-
Have been in Mongolia for the past week--initial few days in a ger bordering on a national park--lazy, relaxing days with hiking and Mongolian pony riding (when on the horse my feet nearly reach ... [Continue reading this entry] Hiking Olkhon Island
Wednesday, September 29th, 2004
Back at Nikita's "resort" I spend half a day taking care of monkey business while Bob goes hiking around the island. It is the end of September but Siberia lives up to it's ... [Continue reading this entry] Bob & The Europeans
Wednesday, September 1st, 2004
There is something in the European demeaner/attitude that brings out my anti-establishment posturing. On the flight from the U.S. to Frankfurt (Lufthansa Air) my seat was broken. "No problem," said the sweet little blond frauline in braids. ... [Continue reading this entry]
Uruguay
Sunday, January 18th, 2004
Uruguay
Sunday, January 18th, 2004
After returning home from a year long journey in 2003, Bob traveled again for a couple months to Buenos Aires Argentina, through the fjiords of Chile and a brief foray into Uraguay. See Patagonia, Argentina and Chile ... [Continue reading this entry]
Christmas In Patagonia 2003
Thursday, December 18th, 2003
Bob begins his Patagonia leg...making his way through through Baliroche and Califate Argentina. He visited the Los Glaciares National Park by bus, which is an area of exceptional natural beauty, with rugged, towering mountains ... [Continue reading this entry] Buenos Aires
Tuesday, November 18th, 2003
After returning home from the first year-long journey in 2003, Bob traveled again for a couple months to Buenos Aires Argentina, through the fjiords of Chile and into Uraguay. Bob’s Thai Village Visit
Saturday, December 28th, 2002
While Jana and I were playing with Chinese teenagers in Ruili in the south of Yunnan, Bob spent some time in an ethnic village in the mountains in Issan Province southeast of Chiang Mai in Thailand. The people were Thai ... [Continue reading this entry]
Pissing Match In China
Friday, December 13th, 2002
When Bob took a box of purchases to the Old Lijiang post office they asked him to take everything out one by one. This had not happened when we sent boxes from China before. ... [Continue reading this entry] Zhondian aka Shangri-La
Thursday, December 5th, 2002
Bob took a flight south from Kunming to Mangshi and then on by bus to Ruili near the Burma border.
Jana and I left Kunming on a Yunnan Airlines flight to the village of Zhongdian, ... [Continue reading this entry] Hanoi
Wednesday, September 25th, 2002
September 24 2002
Bob left Hanoi right away on the train for Sapa near the Chinese border to do some trekking among the colorful minority villages and then to spend three days in Halang Bay ... [Continue reading this entry] Trek to Pa-O Villages
Monday, September 2nd, 2002
Bob was happy to get out and stretch his legs on a two day trek in the hills above Kalaw. His guide used to be a chemistry teacher and school principal who only ... [Continue reading this entry] Traveling India Bob-Style
Saturday, July 27th, 2002
The Indians have a wonderful sense of humor so Bob takes advantage of it and manages to turn everything upside down wherever we go.
In addition to an auto-rickshaw, India has bicycle rickshaws-a three-wheeler bicycle with a seat for ... [Continue reading this entry]
Asane’s Taxi Tour
Thursday, July 18th, 2002
In Mumbai, we took a three-hour government sponsored tour in an Indian-made Ambassador car with "Indian A/C" which is a fan that sits on the dashboard. While we were waiting for Bob to run back to the hotel for the ... [Continue reading this entry]
Bob & The Greeks Again
Wednesday, April 10th, 2002
Bob had some more adventures on the ferry the morning of April 13th. He saw big cups and little espresso cups by the coffee machine and said he wanted a big cup of coffee. The waiter said he only ... [Continue reading this entry]
Bob And The Greeks
Tuesday, April 9th, 2002
How to Develop Your Patience by Traveling
On the plane to Athens the stewardess came by with a refreshment cart and Bob, who was on the inside seat and couldn't see, asked for coffee. She told him he couldn't have coffee ... [Continue reading this entry]
Mt. Kailash Tibet And West Nepal Trek
Friday, September 1st, 2000
Bob circles the holy mountain. For the story and pictures of his experience go here.
Bob mentioned that when he did his Kora (trip) around the holy mountain of Kailesh in Tibet you always knew who the Jains were ... [Continue reading this entry]
Climbing In Nepal
Thursday, June 18th, 1998
Bob climbs mountains in Nepal, including Everest base camp, on two different occasions...in 1998 and in 2000. I'm waiting for him to tell his own story. He likes
layovers in Bangkok especially.
The cultural heritage of the Kathmandu Valley is ... [Continue reading this entry]
Bob Climbs Kilomanjaro
Tuesday, June 18th, 1996
Bob's Report:
Curious how one thing leads to another. It all started at ... [Continue reading this entry]
Zoe