My friend Naoko lives in Hiroshima so I am spending most of my time hanging out with the locals which is cool. Yesterday we did a bit of shopping and had a look around the peace park.
The above photo is a memorial to a young Japanese girl called Sadako who after surving the atomic bomb blast went on to contract leukemia. As my understanding of the story goes, as she was dying she starting making origami cranes and felt that if she made one thousand then she would be cured. With lots of help from family and friends she reached the target, but sadly died. Lots of Japanese children visiting Hiroshima make these cranes which are put on display as a mark of respect for her and the countless other children who died as a result of the atomic bomb.
Its quite strange to think standing in Hiroshima that just 60 years ago this place was mostly destroyed by the atomic bomb, and sad to think after visiting the museum and seeing its effects that to this day we are still developing these weapons. It is fortunate that they have not been used on civilians since (although the use of depleted uranium has certainly not been benign), but worrying to know that they may again and with even more horrific results.
That evening I had a meal with Naoko's family, who were really cool and we all got on really well (although her dogs didn't take to me so well). Unfortunately I was unable to eat as much of the great food that was on offer as I would have liked (I shouldn't have gone to Mos Burger for lunch). As I am sure they are reading this I would like to thank them again for being excellent hosts and I look forwards to seeing them again and being able to speak Japanese with them next time!
Then it was off to Kareoke finally - a week since I arrived in Japan and only now had I got down to a round of it. Kudos again to Naokos wonderful renditions of pretty much every Bjork song on the system, and I think I should remain proud of myself for my rousing performances of RATM's Bombtrack and Nine Inch Nails 'Starf***ers'.
Right! Off to Miyajima I think.