Sep. 17, ’01
In 2002, the winter Olympic
will be held in Salt Lake City. And in 1998, they were held in Nagano city,
Japan. It is conceivable that these places, which were selected as the place
where the Olympic, are held, have a lot of similar features. However, these
places also have a lot of cultural differences. I live in Salt Lake City now
and lived in Nagano. Accordingly, I will compare these two places from my point
of view. Salt Lake City and Nagano can be compared in terms of geographic
conditions, transportation, entertainment, and religion.
First, Salt Lake City is
located in the almost same latitude as Nagano, and the yearly mean temperature
(50.5F) is also almost same as Nagano’s (52.7F). And, Salt Lake City is the
state capital, just as Nagano city is a prefectural capital of Nagano prefecture.
It seems almost same conditions. However, the elevation is a little different. The
elevation of Salt Lake City (4,330ft.) is lower than Nagano’s (6,290ft.). Too high
elevation is not comfortable for me because I am tired in no time when I run or
walk.
Second, let’s consider
transportation. To take a taxi is very normal in Nagano city, but taxies have
are very little in Salt Lake City. However, buses take us anywhere, and the
fare is very reasonable in Salt Lake City. On the other hand, there are very
few routes of the buses on a regular route and the fare is very expensive in Nagano;
it seems not enough to go our destination where we want to go. In addition,
Salt Lake City has an international airport; it means it is very useful to go
abroad; whereas we need a lot of time to go to an international airport in
Nagano. This is one of the most important factors for people who need to go
various places frequently.
Third, both Salt Lake
City and Nagano have abundant nature and many entertainment areas, such as ski
areas, snowboard areas, and cross-country ground in winter and golf courses in
other seasons, while there are a few indoor amusement places and fancy stores,
such as museums, playhouses, indoor amusement parks, tasteful departments, and
chic jazz bars. It is very good for young, powerful, or active people but not
suitable for indoor people to spend their free time. I am the latter person, so
I am always disappointed that there are not enough choices to enjoy myself.
However, both of them are known as resort place, and many tourists visit
unceasingly in season.
And finally, Salt Lake
City is the headquarters of LDS and has a lot of Mormon churches. Approximately
half of the population is Mormon, and almost all them pray at the churches.
Meanwhile, Nagano has a famous temple named Zenkoji-temple that is the national
treasure, and many people who are atheist or have other religion pray there.
Basically, the temple is founded for Tendai Buddhist Denomination and Jodoshu
but is not one to bother about any denominations, and they promise to all
people who say their prayers the land of Perfect Bliss because there are lots
of atheist in Japan. As far as praying is concerned, I am far more comfortable
in the Zenkoji-temple than in Mormon Church.
Thus Salt Lake City and
Nagano have some similar features and some different ones. Taking these
factors, conditions, transportation, entertainment, and religion into
consideration, Salt Lake City is more comfortable for me to live, although this
feeling varies greatly with the individual. However, both of them are very suitable
for the place the winter Olympics because they have a lot of ski related areas
which are superior in quality.