Friday, October 6, 2006
Today started out slow but ended up pretty exciting. It started slow because we had sessions and meetings all day from 9:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. They were interesting, but we're all pretty tired of sitting and listening to people talk all day.

The weather was more interesting because we were getting action from the typhoons that had been lurking in the Pacific Ocean. They joined to be one big typhoon and we were getting weather from the very edge of them. The wind was unbelievable and because of it, it was raining sideways. So, maybe I should be glad that we were at the hotel all day. It was a mess outside.

After our last session, it was time to go to the train station to take the bullet train to Hiroshima. This was what I had been waiting for ALL DAY. There were eleven of us going on the trip, and we all set out from the hotel together. Since it was still raining (sideways) we decided to take cabs to the train station. This ended up being a smart move because the cabs dropped us off right at the door we needed to go to to get on the bullet train. We got to the station in enough time to grab a quick dinner, too. I had pizza, but it was a little peculiar. What I've noticed is that some of the "Western style" food still has a Japanese flair. I had what they called Italian pizza but I'm not sure that everything on it was totally "Italian."

After eating, we all went up to the platform to wait on the train. The platform area has a roof but it's not totally enclosed, so we had some mist coming in from the sideways rain. Thankfully, the train came along, we got in, and we were on our way. For the trip down we had to go first class (rats....too bad!) because all the economy seats were sold out. First class was so nice. Lots of leg room and big comfy seats. I sat next to a Japanese businessman, and that was fine. I had a friend across the aisle.

The trip to Hiroshima was four hours long. I read a book, listened to my iPod, wrote postcards, and dozed a lilttle bit. The bullet train is so smooth. It goes 200 mph, but it barely feels like it. The only time I really noticed the speed was when I went to the bathroom. The train seemed bumpier but maybe it was because the bathrooms are at the end of the car. We got to Hiroshima at 11:15 p.m., checked into our hotel which was connected to the train station, and went to bed. Tomorrow is when the real action will take place -- Miyajima Island and the Hiroshima Peace Park.