Sayonara Kyoto, Hello Hiroshima

Off we go to a new destination, leaving lovely Kyoto and traveling by bullet train to Hiroshima. We are old hands at navigating the train station and know how to enter boarding gates and stand in the proper line.

We arrive in Hiroshima at noon so have lunch in the train station. You guessed it---bento box, except it was a basket! Off by taxi to the hotel where we leave luggage and immediately set out on the streetcar for Peace Memorial Park.

The next 3 1/2 hours were emotional and moving, heart wrenching and difficult. Saeko gave us a brief overview of the huge park located exactly where the atomic bomb was dropped on August 6, 1945. 140,000 people perished, thousands more were injured or later died from "radiation sickness". The city was basically leveled with just a few buildings still standing, one being the now named Atomic Bomb Dome, our first stop. Haunting, yet majestic, it stands as a symbol of what was.

We wander along the river and see numerous memorials for many different groups and people. As we cross the Peace Bridge I stop and sign a petition for banning all nuclear weapons. We then approach the Children's Peace Monument, inspired by the friends of Sadako and dedicated to all the children of the world to live without war. There are tears as I give my 100 paper cranes and fill out the donation form so they can keep track of how many people all over the world are hoping and praying for peace. My simple strand, with names, joins thousands and thousands hanging in special covered areas surrounding the simple but moving monument with a girl holding a crane. I am so touched I was able to visit this important place.

We continue to see other memorials as we approach the Flame of Peace and finally get to the Museum. It is busy buying tickets but we have no idea how crowded the museum is as we enter a crush of people. Total chaos and no way to see or experience anything. Plus, the majority of the exhibits are too disturbing for me. I see the tiny cranes Sadako made and head for the exit. There is a nice display of President Obama's two cranes and his wish for Peace, his visit to Hiroshima the first of any US president. Out I go to enjoy the slightly warmer weather and explore this marvelous and moving memorial.

Later, the group gathers at the National Peace Memorial Hall to hear the memories of Reiko, an atomic bomb survivor. She tells her sad and devastating story as a 10 year old school girl who, with her mother and older brother, manage to survive but not without both physical and mental scars. It is an emotional hour with Reiko ending her story giving each of us a small crane---we are reduced to tears. No one wants to see any more of the Peace Park so we quietly walk to the streetcar.

Thank goodness Saeko knows how to lighten the mood. She takes us to one of her very favorite food joints to eat the famous Hiroshima fast food called okonomiyaki! It isn't very fast but it is very delicious! It is cooked in front of you and you won't believe all the ingredients---noodles, cabbage, sprouts, bacon, egg, a special crepe-like pancake, oil, vinegar, spices and BBQ sauce. Somehow this all ends up in a big round pile, sizzling in front of you, eaten with a small spatula! It is called a Hiroshima pancake and our chef has been making them for 20 years. We clap in praise of a wonderful meal!

Streetcar back to the hotel and only a little blog work before going to bed. This has not been a restful trip but certainly educational. Off to the islands tomorrow.