Marcela's Musings on Japan

Back in the U.S. Staying over in Chicago even though everyone seems to be busy. At least Geza and Kathy gave me a place to stay, recovering in a home even if it isn't mine. Not much sleep after the long flight and several days of packing and getting up early to squeeze things in. Read "Rape of Nanking", all about the Japanese massacre in China right before WWII (300,000 killed)--funny that was barely mentioned in Hiroshima museum. Goes into depth about the effort to cover up this negative part of Japanese history. Author Iris Chang is good friend of Kathy's.

Thursday visited Nara for a few hours to see the big Buddha and the deer park. Small and a nice place to wander around. On train back, talked with a woman going into Kyoto--of course she had her keitai so posed for a photo. Rushed in, thought I had enough time to check email before getting the Shinkansen, but since it's always punctual and I had taken for granted how much longer it would take with the rain and all my luggage, I missed it by about 3 minutes. Just as well since I couldn't find my tickets anyway and had a little bit more time to find the airport train at the station. Saw fun Japanese movie on plane--"Free and Easy 13". Would have been good for class since about gender relations and office politics. Several phrases in English: "Fishing is my life", "No problem".