Hiroshima

I was able to ride on a bullet train again when Otasan (host dad), Toshikazu took Tomo and I to Hiroshima and Miya-jima.
We rode through mountains, valleys, and right beside the ocean before arriving in Hiroshima city at about lunch time on Friday.
We rode on an electric train right to the site of the A-bomb Dome.
It was a somber and slightly eery place despite of the park which was in full bloom with roses.
I was surprised at the size of the dome, much larger than I had imagined.
My mind was hard at work, trying to comprehend the fact that I was standing on the very ground that was obliterated by an atomic bomb the U.S. dropped on Japan at 8:15am on August 6th, 1945.

The Peace Memorial Park was across a near by bridge so our little group walked just a little ways until we reached the statue dedicated to Sadako Sasaki, the young girl who, while dying from luekemia (caused by A-bomb radiation), tried to fold 1000 origami cranes to make her wish to live come true. Although she passed away before reaching her goal, her class mates continued folding cranes and got people all over Japan involved in the movement.
At the monument, there are large, clear plastic boxes filled with origami cranes which symbolize hope, peace, and prosperity to people all over the world.

There were many other statues around the park, mostly for people of the Buddhist religion, to pray for the people who suffered in the past due to war.

The Hiroshima Musuem was large, with several buildings filled with various artifacts and exhibits.　The first exhibit was dedicated specifically to the people who died because they didn't have any water or because the water they drank after the bombing was poisoned with radiation. There were first-hand accounts which were all painful to read because they were so sad. There was a room with a panoramic view of the city post-A-bomb.　A fountain was placed in the center of the circular room, bubbling over with cool, fresh spring water.

The rest of the musuem was just as full of sorrow as the first part. I was able to see the watch which was made famous because of the time it was stopped--8:15am, 8/6/45
There was a tiny tricycle completly rusted over. A wooden dresser sported signs of glass which was embedded into the frame.
It was really gross to see the health and medicine exhibit because there was actual examples of singed hair, skin, and finger nails...
The last exhibit was about nuclear weapons but it was also about peace. I learned that Japan is a country which wants to be free of things that may bring fear or harm to people. The country decided to abolish nuclear weapons and through the use of articles, artifacts, and photographs urged other countries to do the same in the final exhibit.

After Hiroshima Park, Toshikazu, Tomo and I went to Hiroshima castle... it was huge! The original castle was demolished, obviously, during the bombing, but an exact replica was built for visitors to see.

After a lot of walking in the HUMID air, Toshikazu led us to a hole-in-the-wall restaurant with only enough places for 8 customers. Tomo ordered a dish kind of like a pancake with beansprouts, eggs, and squid on top. It was interesting, but the conversation from the chef and fellow customer (who spoke english!) was even better than my dinner ;)