Kyoto..Kyoto...京都。。。

Kyoto is a wonderful and mesmerizing city. I am not saying this purposely as I am currently studying here, but I am sure that there were million others who agreed with me. Not only special to Japan, Kyoto is nevertheless special to the world. Like the city of Paris in Europe, which being spared by Hitler's bomb, Kyoto is actually the 'preferred target' during the WWII but being saved by the passion of a man towards this lovely city [M. Coslett, Kansai Scene].

Hiroshima was tragically bombed by the US air raid on the morning of August the 6th, 1945. But until 21st July 1945, Kyoto is actually the city targeted for the atomic bombing. The US Target committee's requirements for the city to be bombed is that the bombing should cause the greatest psychological impact and that its intellectual residents would be able to appreciate the significance of the weapon. However, Stimson who was back then the Secretary of War objected by stating "..long history as cultural centre of Japan...and great many reasons." One of the reasons is that Stimson himself had known and admired Kyoto since his honeymoon here several decades earlier. I am sure that US may have bigger reasonable arguments towards not to bomb Kyoto but what I wish to emphasized here is that Kyoto will always leaved a sweet marking in the heart of whoever visited her. Japanese also testified that they mourned the bombing of Hiroshima, but they were glad that something as beautiful as Kyoto survived the war.

I woke up late this morning noticing heavy snow outside. Cycling to the lab is nice in this chilly weather but have to take extra precautions due to poor visibility. Kyoto...a nice city to be visited but not so nice to be lived in. Reasons>>Summer is really really dry and hot, winter is really really cold..but the bonus is that it also offers the best place for viewing Sakura in the spring and Momiji (Maple) leaves during the autumn...Feel free to come and experience it by yourself..seeing is believing...