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| Incredible View of the Grand Canyon |
First, the never-seen structures and cities or nature and atmosphere
in New Mexico and Arizona touched me. The main structure there is called
"adobe." I was really excited to only see this rather because it is
really different from structures in Japan. I felt like the people there
especially in the Plaza spent care-free time in wonderful natural surroundings.
Also there is another reason. It is attractive here. It is because there were
the hiking, rock climbing area and chances to play in the river. If I lived
there, my life would be more active and delightful because of these wonderful
areas. These grateful areas made me broaden my view and realized what kind of
never-seen structure like adobe there are all over the world.
The second reason I
felt incredible global and profound connection was that there were two museum
I visited I was impressed in. There were Native American and International Folk
Art museums. As mention by Native American first, they are very important
tribes for this local area, for they are really historical people there. I was
sure as long as the native Americans continue to commit to keep their culture
and museums, their culture would be able to be maintained in the future. To my
surprise, the instructor at the museum spoke the native language. Of course I
couldn't understand what he said. However, when he sang a song in his language,
I was moved by his wonderful skill as a singer, at the same time, I am not sure
why, but I felt like I could see the daily living situations at that time.
Moreover at the museum of International Folk Art, there were a lot dolls from
all over the world. It was possible for me to guess which country those dolls
came from because they had their own evident character such as clothes and atmosphere.
Surprisingly, there were a lot of dolls from more than 100 countries!!!
Unfortunately, there were too many dolls to see all of them!! Because so many dolls
gather in one place, I felt global also there!!!
Third, there was an opportunity to tell my culture, Japan,
to the high school students in New Mexico. I really enjoyed listening to a few
topics such as their hometown, the class and people at school with them.
However, little by little while talking, I began to realize one thing. It is
that most students I talked with had no knowledge about Japan. It would be no
wonder there are people who don't know the name of Osaka or Japanese food.
However, it is not a few but a lot of people who don’t know basic Japanese
culture. I felt disappointed a little because I could not spread the topic
about Japan. However, there was a little formal experience, which was to hand
over a Japanese doll to students. I hope this will become the first step to
connect us. Then, I wish that when they learn about Japan someday, I want them
to remember this doll. The wish to tell a lot of people about Japan appeared to
my mind by this experience. I am looking forward to being able to do this!!!!
Forth, I discovered everyone has the same way to have sense
of been moved even if we have different languages. I learned this at the Grand
Canyon, which we had longed to see. It may be no exaggeration to say that this
spot is the main event for this trip!!! While I was viewing the really
magnificent the Grand Canyon for a long time, many kinds of language, most of
them I never heard, happened to hear around me. Of course I could not
understand what they said. However, the moment the really stunning sun went
down, probably not only I but also everyone there was enchanted by this. As has
been described, I discovered that everyone is the same even if we have our own
different languages. At that time, I felt everyone can connect by the wonderful
view of the Grand Canyon!!!!
Finally, the really magnificent nature made me think more
deeply about a lot of things. Also, it is about the experience at the same area,
Grand Canyon. Although I visited some fascinating nature places such as
Wupatki, sunset crater and Sedona, Arizona, the best place for me was World
Heritage Site, the Grand Canyon after all!!!! Perhaps, it would be hard to
describe it in words!!! This magnificent view made me realize again how enormous
nature is. Also, I thought that compared with the immensity of nature, human
are really insignificant, However, the meaning can be taken a not only in a positive
but also in a negative way, for Tohoku in Japan has become the scene of a
natural catastrophe and human tragedy. It is also nature which caused this
horrible catastrophe. When I was thinking about Tohoku, the idea that what
nature is came out naturally. It is very difficult to think about it by just my
brain. However, I felt like I could find this answer by not my brain but by my
body. Also, I discovered the profound connection between insignificant humans
and immense nature.
I felt really delightful everyday because there was the
realization I learned and discovered a lot of things I have never experienced.
This trip was the most incredible one of my life!!! All things I experienced
and felt should never be forgotten!!!!