A Tale of Two Cities

Stepping in the historical trajectory helps us to understand a city better. How the government presents its history tells its characteristics.

A Tale of the 1st City: Nagasaki

In WWII, Imperial Japan attacked on Pearl Harbor, ending with the irreversible atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Prime ministers have voiced remorse for Japan’s wartime actions over the years, both wordings and timings remain controversial though.

Today, a black monolith makes the explosion's epicenter in the Hypocenter Park. Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum was built to inform future generations about the horror of war. The statue symbolized a prayer for the repose of the victims' souls and eternal peace.

From war to peace, Japan has transited into a peace-loving nation. Nagasaki even became a famous port and tourist city. A visit to the Glover House brings you back to the time when Nagasaki played a prominent role in foreign trading during the period of isolation.

Standing upon Mount Inasa, it is the top three ranked night views in Japan. Being the third-largest economy, Japan’s rapid recovery and reconstruction was such a miracle. Instead of living in history, the people chose to learn from history and move on.

A Tale of the 2nd City: Berlin

In WWII, Nazi Germany committed an unforgivable war crime. 6 million Jews were murdered in the Holocaust. Germany has compensated and Willy Brandt even kneeled to apologize. Jewish Museum Berlin and Holocaust Memorial were built to educate the future generation.

Berlin was divided into four zones during the Cold War. A 27-mile Iron Curtain was built to split the East and the West ideologically. The wall fell in 1989, triggering the collapse of the USSR. The graffiti explained an unstoppable democratic movement. Nothing is guaranteed.

Behind the Brandenburg Gate, effort has been made to build the check and balance system, Bundestag is elected based on political party and electoral district. Each state sends reps to the Bundesrat. They are entitled to choose their leaders. Complicated yet effective.

Today, BMW, BASF, Siemens are the global players dominating the automotive, chemical and electrical industry respectively. The Allianz Arena has trained one of the best Bayern Munich. Not to mention its leading role in the EU during the debt crisis by Chancellor Markel.

After all, one small step for the government, one giant leap for mankind and its civilization.

It was the best of times. It was the worst of times.

It was the age of wisdom. It was the age of foolishness.

It was the epoch of belief. It was the epoch of incredulity.

It was the season of light. It was the season of darkness.

It was the spring of hope, It was the winter of despair.

— “A Tale of Two Cities”, Charles Dickens

Les vacances ratées à Munich

Je vais vous faire un exposé sur les vacances ratées. Mon ami et moi avons visité Munich en été, il y a quelques années.

D'abord, nous avons visité la ville. Munich est moins intéressante que Berlin. C'était un peu triste. Il n'y avait aucune activité, excepté les parcs verts. Il a plu tout le temps et il faisait très froid. Nous avons presque attrapé un rhume.

Ensuite, nous avions l'intention de manger des jarrets de porc traditionnels. Le serveur était impoli. Il nous a servi en dernier parce que nous ne sommes pas européens. La bière noire était bonne, mais la cuisine n'avait pas de goût et était chère.

Finalement, nous sommes allés à l'aéroport en train. Il y a eu un accident et le train n'est pas allé à l'aéroport. Nous avons dû prendre un taxi. Ironiquement, nous avons vu un double arc-en-ciel. Le chauffeur a dit que nous avions eu de la chance.