Danielle- Hiroshima

Hiroshima Family Reunion

My job here is steadily coming to a close... I can't believe it.

July has been another emotional one for me. Many of my exchange student friends and those I've been coaching have gone back home after their year-long exchange in Japan. Said "goodbyes" and "see you again soons" to them at the airport this past Monday. So for the remainder of my time here, I'll be interning alone until next year's intern comes late August (right before I leave). ...Still can't believe I'll be coming home soon...

Anyways! Sentiments aside, I made one last long-anticipated trip to go visit family in Hiroshima!! It was short, but sweet. I went by nightbus this time (was an adventure, to be sure - maybe got 5 hours of sleep on the 14-hour trip) and arrived the next morning at about 8AM.

Needless to say, it was a wonderful family reunion!! Got to meet my little brother and sister, who me and my family hosted waaaay back (like 6 years ago), and I was glad to find that they hadn't changed a bit! They've all gotten so big, and I'm so glad we kept in touch so that I could meet them again during my one year here. I was able to fit into their family just as cozily as they fit into mine - Hiroshima is soooo lovely!

The weather was PERFECT because they live in middle of a mountain area, which kept us all pretty cool for the most part. The mountain scenery was absolutely lovely, by the way~ We did some sightseeing together (like visiting Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park and Miyajima), had lots of really great meals together (like Hiroshima-styled okonomiyake), did lots of shopping and purikura, but favorite thing was watching scary movies with my siblings until 2AM. Felt just like the good old days~

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