Bryan Photo Essay Write Up 2016

Transcription

1 Bryan Photo Essay Write Up 2016 HIROSHIMA TRIP 29SEPT -10OCT 2016

2 Pre trip- Hosting of the HITP students During the weekend before our flight, I hosted 3 Japanese students from HITP for the home stay. We brought them to tourist attractions such as Esplanade, Merlion Park, Gardens by the Bay and Sultan Mosque. It was the first time I hosted students at my house, it was indeed a great experience for me as I had to learn skills on how to be a good host. For example, I have to cater to their interest and not solely base it on the Singaporean taste. This experience made me more open minded and it has shown me that Japanese are very polite and appreciate the efforts we put in.

3 My first photo in Japan This is the first photograph I took at Hiroshima, Japan. As you imagined, the first thing I associated with Japan is Sushi! This is a photo taken from their local supermarket, and as you can see, there are the wide spread of takeaway sushi which you can choose from! I was quite shocked to see such a variety of sushi right in front of my eyes. Although they are preprepared, I could tell that there was a lot of effort placed into making them.

4 Sports exchange Badminton During our second day, the HITP students brought us to their sports hall to have sports exchange programme. We played badminton in teams with the Japan students and it was a very memorable experience. As a novice player myself, they taught me some techniques on how to deliver the finishers. Even though I was a slow learner, I noticed that they were very patient in teaching me ways to improve my skills. For that, I was very grateful to have them as teachers. During the down time, I took my Frisbee and invited them to join and play with me. I taught them the basic throws and they picked up Frisbee very quickly! I indeed enjoyed playing with them for the sports exchange.

5 Peace Memorial Park We visited the Peace Memorial Park on our Day 3. We got up close to the Atomic bomb Dome and saw the remains of the structure which survived the bomb blast. To me, it serves as a severe reminder to everyone on the consequences and devastation of the use of nuclear weapon. As we walk along the Park, we saw the Pond of Peace and at the north edge of it, there was the Fire of Peace. The Fire of Peace, is to symbolizes the universal desire for a world free of nuclear weapons. It will remain lilted until the day when the world is Nuclear weapons-free. When I was walking at the park, I felt saddened that so many lives were lost to the war and I feel for them. I truly support the cause to have no nuclear weapons one day.

6 Peace Memorial Museum After walking the park, we visited the peace memorial museum to learn more about the victims of the bombing. It was one of the most heavy-hearted museum that I have attended. As I see photos the burnt victims and their belonging, I realised I never find out the stories from of the victims themselves in History lessons. I never went to understand their point of perspective but only understood why the allies had to drop the bomb in Hiroshima. Because if this trip, it has made me widen my scope and learn to see things from multiple angles before making a judgement or decisions. The photo on the left, is the depiction of where Little Boy exploded over Hiroshima.

7 Pizza Making We had an opportunity to make pizza on day 5. As someone who loves the traditional authentic cooking methods of using wood or charcoal, I really enjoyed this experience of placing the pizza in the oven while being cooked by firewood. Firstly, we pan out the dough on the pan and add our own flavours to the pizza! Then we bring it to the wood oven to cook the pizza. Oishii! This experience has shown me that one has to be very patient and withstand the heat to get a nicely done pizza from the oven. It takes a lot of time and dedication to ensure the fire is just right in order for the pizza to be well roasted and delicious!

8 Ishida Asaki Fashion School On Day 6, we visited Ishida Asaki vocational school of fashion. During our half day there, I really enjoyed how they add modern styles into the traditional kimono, as well as how they explained in depth on why they choose certain colours and design. After having lunch together, the boys had the chance to make a 3 compartment coin pouch by hand! It was indeed very useful for me to store all my Yen coins! The gentlemen who taught me was Mr Akira Kubota. He was VERY patient in showing me the steps to build and tips on how to hammer the wallet into shape! I really enjoyed doing handicrafts like this! I do plan to do such DIY projects myself in the future! Maybe I can craft myself a leather wallet this time!

9 Japanese Calligraphy On Day 7, we had a good time learning to traditional Japanese calligraphy. As we see in awe of the teacher s work, everyone tried our best to replicate her work! Even by following the Sensei s stroke, none of us were able to get the same desired outcome like the Sensei! For me, Calligraphy is not something very new to me, I had done some Chinese calligraphy when I was younger, however its is still as challenging as ever. As a lefty, I had to write the Kanji with my right hand as to follow the proper strokes of Top to Bottom; Left to Right. It was indeed a fun experience as I never wrote with my right before!

10 Alpenrose Volunteering for the Elderly On Day 8, we went up the mountain side to visit the old folk day care centre. I was pleasantly surprised when I reached there to find out that the place is more like a hostel than a hospital! The elderly have personal rooms and they live together as a family. There was a very uplifting atmosphere to the place and they were very excited to see us as well! We played some mini games together as well as folded origami together! My elder buddies were 84 years old, I was shocked to see that they are all very healthy and had a very positive mind-set as well! One thing I found interesting was that they have a automated steam shower for those elderly who cannot bathe themselves anymore. With such sophisticated technologies, we can tell how much the Japanese Government cares for their people.

11 Yukata dressing Day 8, we had a chance to dress up in yukata, which is the casual summer kimono. It was a very great experience for me as it was the first time I got the chance to wear this traditional Japanese outfit! As I was wearing this yukata, I realised that it required one or more people to assist you in wearing the yukata!

12 Japanese Rice Making Day 8, the Singapore team had gotten a chance to make the traditional Japanese rice. It was a very tedious and full of heavy labour process. Firstly, we had to beat the cooked rice in a sticky dough in the stone bowl with the wooden hammers. We took turns to beat the rice however, we were not as efficient as the Japanese teachers who did it effortlessly! Along with the peanut and red bean paste, the rice tasted so good! Even though the ingredients were just rice and sauces, I believe that is what the process of hammering and hard work which make the snack so tasty and delicious too!

13 Hiroshima Style! Okonomiyaki In Hiroshima, how can you forget their most iconic meal: the Okonomiyaki! The basic Hiroshima okonomiyaki is made up of eggs, soba, lettuce, rice paper along with the sauce. What make its so special is because of the sweet sauce they placed it at the top of the egg! I truly enjoyed eating this mouth savouring dish and it something I will recommend to anyone who comes to Hiroshima!

14 Home Stay On day 9 & 10, the Singapore team was split into different groups for our homestay. I got a chance to stay with a very awesome family, the Takahashi Family. Mr Tsutomu Takahashi, on the left, was my caretaker for the 2 days. On the right most lady is his wife. And the lady in the centre is Ms Yoko Takahashi, their daughter. And the two boys are their grandsons. I was thankful that Ms Yoko was able to communicate in English as she had been to England to study before. I was thankful that Ms Yoko was there for the past 2 days which really help me have a better conversation with the family!

15 Home Stay Jump! My host family had brought me to do some shopping at Hondori Street as well! They brought me to a shop called Jump! which sells many of well-known anime merchandises. I bought some omiyages for my friends and siblings. I was very thankful that they squeezed some time for me to do some shopping from the schedule as well! The Japanese are really very accommodating and try their best to fulfil our requests! Thank you so much Mr Tsutomu and family!!

16 Home Stay Kendo Then after, Mr Tsutomu brought me to a elementary school to try out Kendo! He told me he is 7 th Dan in Kendo, which is a very huge feat to accomplish! The highest Dan( or rank) is 8 th Dan, only handful of Kendo practitioners are able to achieve 8 th Dan. When I found out, I had immense respect for him, as it is not an easy feat to make it above 5 th Dan. Mr Tsutomu lent me his gears and hakama (the outfit which I am wearing). He taught me the basic of Kendo such is the footwork and how to swing the shinai (sword). After practicing for just 2hours, I was panting and full of sweat. It was not easy wearing the armour and trying to hit your target. They taught me that Kendo is not all about being physically fit, you have to be mentally and emotionally strong as well. Therefore, they would always meditate after then end of practice. He was a very good experience for me as I never had a chance to learn this sword art.

17 Home Stay Miyajima On day 10, I have requested from the host family to bring me back to Miyajima as I felt that there were many things I was not able to accomplish when I was there during the first trip. As we make our way there in the morning, I realised that the tide was so low that we were able to walk to the feet of the torii gate! Ms Yoko told me that such low tide is very uncommon and I was very lucky to be able to witness and be up close to the torii gate! I bought some omamori (safety charm) for my family and friends as well. It was really a very fun experience to walk down the lake and to take a beautiful shot of the tori gate up close!

18 Something I found interesting During one of our walks through Hondori Street, I found a cigarette vending machine at a corner of a shopping centre. It makes me wonder, if they have cigarette vending machine, does it means that anyone would be able to purchase regardless of age?

19 Something I found interesting This is the toilet of my host family. One reason why I find it so interesting is because it have built-in sensor which opens up the cover when you get closer to it! Its like saying Welcome! Please use me! Also, not only that, the seat have a heater to keep it warm so that in a cold weather, our bum will not have to shiver in cold! I really feel that the Japanese take hygiene to the next level with such advanced technologies in place to ensure their high level of cleanliness! I wish to get one of these highly advanced toilet in my future home as well!