Hiroshima and Miyajima

I just cannot believe how beautiful this country is and how beautiful the people are! We just passed the one year anniversary of the earthquake and tsunami that devastated the people and country, and how they are rebuilding, but also keeping the memory of the lost alive. (On a side note, there is a BBC documentary called "Japan's Children of the Tsunami" is well worth your time, about the children affected by the tragedy. Sadly, it was taken down from YouTube. Here is a clip.)

Not so long ago in 1945, another tragedy struck Japan, as the atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima. We visited the Peace Memorial Park and the A-Bomb Dome, which is still standing despite the bomb. There was much debate whether or not to demolish it. I'm glad they decided to preserve it as a memorial. We did not visit the museum. The devastation of the bomb is evident in the pictures we took on Wednesday.

Train station with cranes, which represent peace















































































































































The eternal flame underneath the Children's Peace Monument.
From Wikipedia: The Children's Peace Monument is a statue dedicated to the memory of the children who died as a result of the bombing. The statue is of a girl with outstretched arms with a folded paper crane rising above her. The statue is based on the true story of Sadako Sasaki, a young girl who died from radiation from the bomb. She believed that if she folded 1,000 paper cranes she would be cured.


















We took the Shinkansen (high speed train) from Hakata to Hiroshima, then a (FULL!) streetcar to the dome, then high speed ferry boat to the beautiful island of Miyajima. It was lovely and I wish we could have spent more time there! There is a giant torii gate actually in the water when there is high tide. We stayed for sunset, and during low tide you could actually walk out to it. It was gorgeous! One of my very favorite cities to visit, for sure! There were wild but gentle deer that Sophie adored. She would say, "Hi! I'm Sophie! I love you!" It was so sweet! We had a snack from a vendor. Jim had a chicken skewer and I had spiced corn on the cob and we all shared some fries. It was superb! I'd go back just for that!

Shinkansen


















On the ferry












Deer




































Miyajima is known for their rice paddles.




































































































































































































































I know that last pic is blurry, but it was just too sweet not to include! I can't believe how fast this past year has gone by, and honestly, how much I'm going to miss it here. We only have a few more weeks left. I'm happy to go back to the US but also sad to leave. This opportunity has been a wonderful adventure, one that I would not change!