Lessons learnt from the Hiroshima Trip

Hiroshima is unlike other cities I have seen in Japan. Maybe because of the fact that the world's first atomic bomb was dropped on it on the fateful 6th August 1945 at 8.15am, this city and people has been through more than others. But this city has re-emerged with a sense of resilience and understanding of peace that can touch and inspire anyone who is willing to listen.

I would like to share some pictures and thoughts of our morning spent in the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park here.
Many people who witnessed the after-effects of the atomic bomb drew haunting images of what they have seen.

Taegu and Hiroshima signed a sister-city agreement and this traditional Korean drum was presented to the Hiroshima Peace Museum.

A walk through the park in the morning left me feeling refreshed and slightly thoughtful.

This is the Children's Peace Monument that commemorates the children whose lives were lost due to the radiation effects of the Atomic Bomb. Paper cranes came to symbolize the hopes of these children because of a girl named Sadako. 10 years after the atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima, she contracted leukemia.

This is the "Tower of Thousand Cranes". They believe if you fold a thousand cranes, your wish will come true.

The Peace Bell located in the Peace Memorial Park. The aphorism "Know Thyself" is engraved on this bell. Just before ringing the bell, one has step onto the platform and look into the mirror first.

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This is the first time I have come to understand how war can drastically affect the lives of innocents, children, old folks and everyone else who deserves a normal, peaceful life.

When we talk about military and defense systems in my National Security Policy class, I never knew, through those 'light-hearted and sometimes humorous' discussions, how close to our hearts this issue really is. Like Hiroshima, a city who has understood peace and long for a world free of nuclear weapons, I also have the same wishes and aspirations for this world.

-- This post is dedicated to my sister Sherlyn, a history student who is much interested in the world beyond her textbook. Ju, I will bring you back to Hiroshima someday --