They have an infinity reflecting pool at the entrance. Apparently at night it's lit up with thousands of tiny lights, one for each death from the A-bomb. The rain was plip-plopping into the pool.
Inside the lower level of the Peace Memorial Hall. The giant skylight makes it heavenly. The two rows of columns of colored glass point directly to the epicenter. At the end is the most current collection of cranes that have been donated. (There are cranes everywhere around the Peace Park area.)
I was the only one in there.(Thankfully I missed the elementary-school-field-trip-rush.) It was extremely resonant and peaceful, so I sat there for a long time.
Cards of wishes for peace. "I wish for peace in all countries." I made one too.
In the peace park, there are lots and lots of different statues, made in Japan or sent from countries all over the world. Most complete with cranes.
This is an actual portion of Urakami Cathedral, the largest Catholic Cathedral in Asia at the time. It was completely obliterated except for this corner. The blackened portions of the bricks were darkened from exposure to the intense heat of the bomb. The red bricks are bricks that have lost their outermost dark layer over time since then.
It was so weird to think that on the exact spot I was standing was a pile of nothing but complete rubble and dying people all those years ago. That the entire area I traverse on a near-daily basis was completely devastated. Intentionally.
The whole Peace Park is presided over by a giant Daibutsu (Buddha) statue. The right hand points up to the threat of nuclear weapons. The left hand is outstretched in a gesture of peace. The right leg is cross-legged in silent meditation, while the left hand is poised for action to assist humanity. It's REALLY big.
And finally, Narumi :) Our English club head teacher Atsuko's new little boy. He's 5 months. She also has a 2-year-old, Kaname. Both of them are crazy cute. Can't wait til I get better pics of them. :)
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