Our last stop in Japan was Hiroshima.
Dave did some number crunching with the train times and we had it perfectly figured out so that we could fit a few hours in at Hiroshima before having to catch the last ferry back to Busan.
It wasn't a lot of time. Definitely not enough. But it was a good amount of time to see and feel the destruction that the bomb caused, and still recognize a sense of peace and zen that has since regrown over the land.
The Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum was curious (due to the manner in which some information was presented), effective (in showing the crippling effects the bomb had on the people and land) and emotional. Whatever side you take on dropping the bomb you can't walk through that museum and see the clothes that children were wearing when the bomb exploded - that tore through material and flesh - without some somber, sickening, saddness arising inside you. In a flash they were lost. In an instant they had nothing. Burned and melted because of war. It's upsetting.
The area surrounding the museum had a feeling of calm. The A-Bomb Dome, Children's Peace Monument, the Flame of Peace and the Memorial Cenotaph was full of locals chatting, having lunch, taking a break from the heat; as if a bomb was never dropped there.
It was nice to see, and despite the limited time we had there, I'm thankful I was able to walk through those memories.
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