Sadako Sasaki was only two years old when the A-bomb devastated Hiroshima. Initially one of the lucky ones who survived the blast, she showed no signs of injury and grew into a healthy young girl until the age of nine. An illness was then revealed to be leukemia and Sadako, which means ‘innocent child,’ began a fight for her life. Believing that folding colorful paper cranes helped in her healing process, she spent

We spent hours folding cranes with the help of volunteers.

the last eight months of her life folding countless graceful cranes with delicate hands. Sadly, the lingering effects of the bombs kept killing long after schools were rebuilt and normal services were restored in Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The A-bomb was dropped on Hiroshima on August, 6 1945 at 8:16am; Sadako Sasaki died on October 25, 1955. It is estimated that more than 10 million cranes are offered each year at the Children’s Peace Monument in Hiroshima.

 In a world locked in conflict over religious ideologies, it is challenging – if not impossible – to believe in the concept of universal truth. Common notions of freedom or justice or family have become objectified by opponents – tolerances narrowed to highlight differences, emotions amplified to spur action against those differences. Consider Auschwitz. Wounded Knee. Srebrenica. Ground Zero. Stalingrad. Yet, standing on ground where thousands of people lost their lives due to genocide or war, accident or terrorism is a coalescent function. It reminds us of the bird-bone fragility of life and that, after differences are discarded as superficial, we are human.

Hiroshima is one of the most sacred grounds in the history of the world, and in that it is a living legacy, a paradox. Seventy years ago, this broad valley with romantic views out to the sea was wholly destroyed – its buildings flattened and burned; its people poisoned and killed.

Where Oppenheimer leaves off

Yet today, atop that solemn foundation, it is vibrant and bustling with people pulsing through its avenues, visiting shops and restaurants as illuminated as a Saturday-night carnival. It is very much a place of living; it shows almost no scars.

 The Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum is a collection of artifacts that survived the blast. There are many physical exhibits that show technically amazing things, such as two-inch-thick rolled steel beams that were twisted into abstractions, or hundreds of apothecary jars that had been melted into a solid chunk of glass.

There’s also the pocket watch owned by Kengo Nikawa, frozen at 8:16am. It was a gift from his son and something he considered precious. He died a little more than two weeks later from grievous injuries sustained in the blast. Kengo had been riding his bike to work.

There’s the tattered and ash-streaked uniform worn by Nobuko Oshita, a 13-year-old student at the girls’ high school. After being exposed to the bomb, she fled into hiding with a classmate, where relief workers found her and returned her home to her family. Nobuko died the following day, still wearing the uniform she’d made.

And there’s the lunch box of Shigeru Orimen, a junior-high school student whose body was found nearly four days later by his mother. Shigeru had been tending the family’s garden while his father and brother were away at the front. His lunchbox contained a meal made from his first harvest – something he was so proud of yet never tasted.

This museum, like the Normandy American Cemetery and the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe, left an indelible mark on our psyche. It is a powerfully moving place filled with stories that raise unanswerable questions. The boys were exhausted and silent as we walked from the darkened exhibit hall back into the lighted gallery that looks out across the park, the A-Bomb Dome silhouetted against the blue sky. There, along the windows, Asher found a table where local volunteers were teaching kids how to make paper cranes. He sat down with Angela and decided to make an offering of peace in honor of Sadako Sasaki.

Remembering the people of Hiroshima

The post Stories From the Road: Paper Cranes in Hiroshima appeared first on Wonder Year Travel.

My good friend, Annika Paradise recently co-authored a travel book, and we got to talking about packing and specifically packing shoes for travel. I’m a stylist and I often help clients pack for their trips with a curated travel capsule that takes the guesswork out of packing and what to wear on their trip. Annika is an expert in long-term family travel and we discovered that we are both frequently asked about packing and specifically what shoes to pack for travel. This post covers the only three pairs of shoes you need to pack for a trip of any length.

Annika co-wrote, Wonder Year: A Guide To Long-Term Family Travel and Worldschooling, along with two other travel experts, Julie Frieder and Angela Heisten. Their book is part inspiration and part “how-to” for those who’ve ever considered long term travel with their family. They break down everything, from how to fund your trip to recommended destinations to how to teach your kids on the road. Wonder Year has something for all types of travelers so be sure to order your copy today. My readers can use discount code: DAISYTRAVEL for 20% off.

In Annika’s case, she and her husband took their three children around the world for a year and they packed light! In our friendship, she’s the practical one and I have been known to prioritize fashion over function. What a pleasant surprise to find out that we both agreed that you can get away with only packing three pairs of shoes for even an entire year of travel! 

Here are my fashion-approved (and her practicality-approved) recommendations for the three pairs of shoes to pack for travel.

Of course, the exact style depends on the locations and the time of year, but these three types of shoes will work no matter what. Reducing the number of shoes you pack is an essential part of packing light because shoes are relatively heavy and bulky. Try to stick to these three shoe styles the next time you pack.

#1: Sneakers

An athletic shoe is essential. Annika would say it’s practical, but Daisy the stylist has some ideas to make sure you look great, too. My clients often tell me, “I don’t want to look like an American Tourist.” Sneakers, these days, are stylish, straddling the line between comfort and fashion statement. These shoes will ensure you look great no matter where you go – even if you are staying in the U.S.

New Balance are my top pick for travel because they have character and are fashionable while still providing comfort. Adidas are a classic choice and Europeans love them. PS448 are on the expensive end, but are also incredibly comfortable and the “it” sneaker of the moment. Soludos Ibiza are a classic choice and very versatile. And the most practical option is On Cloud since they work for walking and running/working out, and are light as air.

Comfort and camouflage

#2: Sandals

There is a big range of styles when it comes to a sandal. If you’re like Annika, you’ll want these as almost a “slipper” option and opt for a comfortable Birkenstock style. If you’re like me, you’ll want a classic leather sandal that you can dress up or down. And depending on the type of trip this might be where you opt for a heel like a clog sandal or wedge.

Vionic are my top pick because the arch support is incredible. If you have ever tried on a pair I’m sure you bought them instantly. If you know, you know. Sorel’s Ella II sandals are lightweight, fold up in your luggage and can look both dressy and casual. I am a big fan of a flat strappy sandal for travel and these Boden scarf wrap sandals are like two pairs in one because the leather straps can be swapped out with the included patterned scarf straps – adorable! And for the most practical traveler, the Teva sandal is the best option in terms of comfort, weight and price.

#3 Boots

Unless you are going on a summer boat trip or someplace tropical, you should always pack a pair of boots (in the case of a tropical or boat vacation, pack another pair of sandals or flats for your third pair). 

The Blundstone Chelsea boot is my favorite boot of all time – not just for travel! It’s classic, comfortable and perfect year round. If your trip will involve a lot of hiking, then the Danner Mountain 600 is a great choice. As a stylist I think these boots are also great-looking (love those classic red laces) and can also be worn when you’re not on the trail. If your itinerary has you visiting several cities, I suggest the Born Verona boot. It’s classic and a bit edgy but still very comfortable and versatile. And if you want your boots to serve as a dressier option for your travels then try the Sarah Flint Perfect Zip Bootie. These are an investment shoe, but they are simply stunning and will last a decade. The functional winners are these Cole Haan waterproof boots – I love the modern platform sneaker sole – which are practical and very cool.

Reducing the number of shoes you pack is an essential part of packing light, so try to stick to these three shoe styles the next time you pack and if you’re traveling by air, try to wear the bulkiest pair on the plane to save room in your suitcase. The few minutes of taking them off to go through security is worth the extra space.

Stay tuned for more joint ventures between The Daisy Edit and Wonder Year. We both send regular newsletters that are geared toward our respective audiences. Please sign up for one or both, if you haven’t already. 

The Daisy Edit Newsletter

Wonder Struck Monthly Newsletter

Collaboration over travel, shoes, and remembering how fun it can all be

The post Three Shoes for One Trip appeared first on Wonder Year Travel.

He was our neighbor for six days in Fairbanks and we spoke every morning and evening, but I knew nearly nothing about the man, nothing except that our dog, who usually barks at strangers who approach too quickly, immediately knew he was good. Timber lowered his head and wagged his tail as he let the man with hard hands and a gray handlebar mustache scratch under his chin and behind his ears.

The man spoke without strain – even, confident and strong. With steel-toe boots, chain drive wallet and leather vest, my first read was that he must be a biker, and the way he carried himself spoke of tough-guy…if needed. He looked like a dude smart enough to stay out of a fight, but who would end it on his feet no matter the circumstances.

Introductions in RV parks are categorical. Passers-by will ask about the Airstream, the truck, the breed of our dog or where in California we’re from. As Timber rolled over and let the stranger rub his belly, the man asked, “How do you like the Ford Diesel?”

The man was chatty and intelligent; loneliness sometimes italicized his words or wrinkled his face, but overall he was a man who found goodness in life – he appreciated steak and beer.

Over the course of the next few days, I picked up bits and pieces about the stranger. He was from Pittsburgh and, after 50 years, ready to create a new life. He’d purchased on finance by the State of Alaska a 10-acre plot about two hours north of Fairbanks, in the thick bush near Livengood (pronounced LIE-ven-good). The property had no services whatsoever and was thick with willows and spruce, so he had no access to its heart. He’d surveyed and started to fence it, but it was only his third year up in Alaska, so there was still a lot to accomplish. He’d carved enough of a path into the property to park a trailer and truck just out of sight from the road. He hoped that, if the weather held out this summer, he could continue cutting through the bush to the center where he would eventually build a cabin.

Alaska is about futures, not pasts. We never talked about jobs or education. Only once did his talk deviate from practical matters and venture into the philosophical. It was when I asked him why he decided to go it alone in the Alaskan wild.

“It’s solitude, I guess. It’s so darn far from everything that it’s just me. Mother Nature doesn’t cut any slack; people don’t ask your name.”

He paused and looked at me. “You think you could do it?”

“I read somewhere… how important it is in life not necessarily to be strong, but to feel strong… to measure yourself at least once.”
― Jon Krakauer, Into the Wild

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