Hey everyone! I don't know how to say "hello" in Arabic .. so sorry. We have been in Egypt for the past 4 days and have been super busy! I really really love Egypt. :-) After arriving we were whisked away to our hotel (which has a Nile View!!) and left to recoop overnight. The next day we wasted no time and saw Memphis -which houses the largest statue of Ramses II in all of Egypt, Saqqara - which is the olsdest pyramid in existence and the Giza pyramids. You know all in a days traveling, right?
There is so much more to write about. We are in Luxor right now waiting for our train back to Cairo. Our tour group has been wonderful! Props to Memphis tours ;-). And we are all very relaxed and enjoying ourselves.
I will write more as soon as I have a chance!
Love to everyone!!
Erica
Monday, September 29, 2008
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Namaste!
We have just arrived back in our hotel in Delhi after our week long stay in India. After our trek from Thailand, we spent a day and a hlaf touring Delhi before heading off to Jaipur and Agra. Delhi is definitely a world away! I told my family in an e-mail, it was definitely the first time I have gone somewhere and felt turned on my head. Everyone eased up a bit as we hit the rode with our driver for the week and drove to Jaipur. We stayed in a beautiful guest house and saw the Amber Fort, The City Palace(where the Maja Raja still lives) and Jantar Mantar (which is a massive observatory/astrology center built in the early 1700s), and The outside of The Wind Palace (a famous honeycombed building in Jaipur - it was built so that the women of the court, who couldn't go outside, could look out on the street and see what was going on). Jaipur is called the "Pink City" because at somepoint the Prince of Engladn told the Maja Raja he liked pink .... so everything was ordered to be painted pink! And it still is ... every building is a rusty pink color in the front!
After two days in Jaipur we drove to Agra. We left early in the morning and stopped off at Fatephur Sikri. Fatephur Sikri is old abandoned palace. In the 1500s Akbar the Great moved the Capital there, but was forced to leave around the time of his death because of water shortages. Because the palace was virtually abandoned, it is remarkably well preserved. After exploring the grounds of this Indian ghost town we visited one of India's national bird sanctuaries. We had a very kind guide wo showed us many birds indigenous to India. We were unlucky and weren't able to see any monkeys, and saw only one antelope, but the gorgeous cranes, owls, egrets and even a bird called the "snake bird" that looks like a reptile when it swims for food. After some lunch we arrived at our hotel in Agra and took a break to rest up for the next day. We woke up early in the morning and went staight to the Taj Mahal. I can't begin to try and sum up the enormity of that experience. So I will just say that it made all of the struggles of getting thius trip organized, dogding scammers in India left and right ... and not to mention the past year ... worth it. It was beautiful. We hung out around the grounds for awhile enjoying the scenery and people watching and relished in thr beauty of the Taj Mahal! It was wonderful.
After that we toured around the Agra Fort, which is the most spectacular of them all, supposedly. It was very confusing, so that impressed us, haha. The building was actually converted to a palace, and then a sort of prison when the Maja Raja's son took over and locked him away. You can go see where he stayed, locked away with a view of the Taj, where his wife was burried. The architecture was stunning and the ornamentation of each of the rooms was impressive - especially considering how old it all is, and how little restorations have been done. We were pretty wiped after all that, so we took it easy and ate a quick lunch near our hotel, and bummed around a local mall until dinner at one of the many cheap rooftop restaurants wiwth a Taj view. The entire day felt like a fairy tale!
This morning we got up early again, and stopped off at Sikandra (Akbar's Tomb) to enjoy the natural gardens and to get our last taste of Indian architecture before coming back to Delhi. Tomorrow morning we leave for the airport at THREE AM!!! Our flight to Cairo leaves at 7:30, and they recommend arriving three hours early in India. So that's that, and we'll get to the airport by 4.
A note to all who have been keeping up, India is sorely lacking in the post card department, so I doubt if I will be able to snag any at the airport. I am so sorry! But know I have been thinking of you all this whole time and wish you could be here to enjoy this with me!!!
Much love!
After two days in Jaipur we drove to Agra. We left early in the morning and stopped off at Fatephur Sikri. Fatephur Sikri is old abandoned palace. In the 1500s Akbar the Great moved the Capital there, but was forced to leave around the time of his death because of water shortages. Because the palace was virtually abandoned, it is remarkably well preserved. After exploring the grounds of this Indian ghost town we visited one of India's national bird sanctuaries. We had a very kind guide wo showed us many birds indigenous to India. We were unlucky and weren't able to see any monkeys, and saw only one antelope, but the gorgeous cranes, owls, egrets and even a bird called the "snake bird" that looks like a reptile when it swims for food. After some lunch we arrived at our hotel in Agra and took a break to rest up for the next day. We woke up early in the morning and went staight to the Taj Mahal. I can't begin to try and sum up the enormity of that experience. So I will just say that it made all of the struggles of getting thius trip organized, dogding scammers in India left and right ... and not to mention the past year ... worth it. It was beautiful. We hung out around the grounds for awhile enjoying the scenery and people watching and relished in thr beauty of the Taj Mahal! It was wonderful.
After that we toured around the Agra Fort, which is the most spectacular of them all, supposedly. It was very confusing, so that impressed us, haha. The building was actually converted to a palace, and then a sort of prison when the Maja Raja's son took over and locked him away. You can go see where he stayed, locked away with a view of the Taj, where his wife was burried. The architecture was stunning and the ornamentation of each of the rooms was impressive - especially considering how old it all is, and how little restorations have been done. We were pretty wiped after all that, so we took it easy and ate a quick lunch near our hotel, and bummed around a local mall until dinner at one of the many cheap rooftop restaurants wiwth a Taj view. The entire day felt like a fairy tale!
This morning we got up early again, and stopped off at Sikandra (Akbar's Tomb) to enjoy the natural gardens and to get our last taste of Indian architecture before coming back to Delhi. Tomorrow morning we leave for the airport at THREE AM!!! Our flight to Cairo leaves at 7:30, and they recommend arriving three hours early in India. So that's that, and we'll get to the airport by 4.
A note to all who have been keeping up, India is sorely lacking in the post card department, so I doubt if I will be able to snag any at the airport. I am so sorry! But know I have been thinking of you all this whole time and wish you could be here to enjoy this with me!!!
Much love!
Saturday, September 13, 2008
Japan, Thailand and Cambodia - Oh My!
Well I have been quite the globe trotter (as my brother would say) the past few days. Right now I am at our hostel in Siem Reap. Andrea and I left Tokyo on Thursday, had an overnight layover in Thailand (from our original trip, before we were forced to cut out our island adventure to Ko Phangan) and left for Cambodia the next day.
The rest of our stay in Tokyo was incredible. We took in a lot of the major sights, and revelled in the lush shopping! It is truly an international city and Andrea and I enjoyed finding some of our favorite things from home iterspersed with the Japanese items. Tokyo also seems to host a pastiche of world monuments... their tower is modeled identically after the Eiffel Tower (but is painted red and white), their most famous bridge is called the "Rainbow Bridge" and is a grey version of the Golden Gate in San Fransisco. But strangest, would have to be the miniature Statue of LIberty that they house on a small man-made island in Tokyo Bay calle Odaiba. The story goes (as we heard it from other tourists) that a few yeas ago the French sent their original on a tour of major World cities, and Tokyo liked it so much that they asked for one of their own. I have to say it was pretty surreal to see Lady Liberty holding her torch high above the Tokyo skyline - but hey, that's just me. haha.
We stayed in Ginza - the shopping district, haha - kind of the 5th avenue of Tokyo - and were next to two great subway stios, so we didn't have much trouble getting around. The Kabuki-Za, which is the most famous kabuki theater in Japan, was right around the corner from us! So we visited it often, and took in two kabuki performances. It still blows my mind that I saw it all first hand! The cool thing about both kauki actors and noh actors in Japan is that it is sort of a family business. All of the actors come from acting families, and the art is passed on from father to son (of course, in traditional Japanese drama there are no women on stage... but there are plenty of women acting in contemporary, western style plays). It is not rare for a young Japanese boy to debut on stage with his father while he is still a toddler! Kabuki dramas developed after Noh dramas and were intended for a more of the common audience than Noh, which were meant for the elie classes. Kabuki dramas typically involve themes of the average man while Noh dramas address eternal themes, such as spirtuality and the afterlife. Even today, Kabuki and Noh actors are regarded with high esteem and celebrity, and according to the information at the Kabuki-Za, are treated similar to the way Hollywood TV actors are treated by the Japanese public.
This past Thursday we flew to Bangkok and met Kirsten and Liz. It was so great to finally meet up with them! We left the next morning for our seperate treks to Cambodia. They swugn flights direct to Siem Reap (which I reccommend doing!!!) while Mullen and I flew to Phnom Penh and then hired a car to drive us. The car should normally cost about 50 US dollars and the drive can take anywhere from 4 to 6 hours. The rode was smooth and I imagine had the sun not set so early it would have been nice scenery. So if you have the time it isn't your worst option, I would have just preferred the conveince of getting here -- for future reference.
Siem Reap is incredible. Cambodia is definitely one of my favorite places to have travelled. In general the people have been very kind. We are staying at the Siem Reap Hostel. It is a fabulous place to stay on a budget. Aside from the dorm-style rooms, you would think this place was a 4 star hotel. They cater to backpackers and laid back travelers, so they do a lot to make the place comfortable. They show movies, offer game-boards, have a swimming pool and a stocked kitchen... PLUS they have free internet! A Major Plus :-) Not to mention they are affiliated with a great group of Tuk-Tuk Drivers who have carted us around Angkor Wat the past two days. There is a variety of restaurants within walking distance and it is a short ride to the ruins.... so all in all ... it's perfect! I would definitely recommend this place to anyone coming to Cambodia. As they say in their advertisements, it is a five sandal resort ;-)
I am off to take a swim and wash of the dust and grime from our day .. then it is out for Mexican food for dinner!! Cambodia, sa rang hae yo!!!
The rest of our stay in Tokyo was incredible. We took in a lot of the major sights, and revelled in the lush shopping! It is truly an international city and Andrea and I enjoyed finding some of our favorite things from home iterspersed with the Japanese items. Tokyo also seems to host a pastiche of world monuments... their tower is modeled identically after the Eiffel Tower (but is painted red and white), their most famous bridge is called the "Rainbow Bridge" and is a grey version of the Golden Gate in San Fransisco. But strangest, would have to be the miniature Statue of LIberty that they house on a small man-made island in Tokyo Bay calle Odaiba. The story goes (as we heard it from other tourists) that a few yeas ago the French sent their original on a tour of major World cities, and Tokyo liked it so much that they asked for one of their own. I have to say it was pretty surreal to see Lady Liberty holding her torch high above the Tokyo skyline - but hey, that's just me. haha.
We stayed in Ginza - the shopping district, haha - kind of the 5th avenue of Tokyo - and were next to two great subway stios, so we didn't have much trouble getting around. The Kabuki-Za, which is the most famous kabuki theater in Japan, was right around the corner from us! So we visited it often, and took in two kabuki performances. It still blows my mind that I saw it all first hand! The cool thing about both kauki actors and noh actors in Japan is that it is sort of a family business. All of the actors come from acting families, and the art is passed on from father to son (of course, in traditional Japanese drama there are no women on stage... but there are plenty of women acting in contemporary, western style plays). It is not rare for a young Japanese boy to debut on stage with his father while he is still a toddler! Kabuki dramas developed after Noh dramas and were intended for a more of the common audience than Noh, which were meant for the elie classes. Kabuki dramas typically involve themes of the average man while Noh dramas address eternal themes, such as spirtuality and the afterlife. Even today, Kabuki and Noh actors are regarded with high esteem and celebrity, and according to the information at the Kabuki-Za, are treated similar to the way Hollywood TV actors are treated by the Japanese public.
This past Thursday we flew to Bangkok and met Kirsten and Liz. It was so great to finally meet up with them! We left the next morning for our seperate treks to Cambodia. They swugn flights direct to Siem Reap (which I reccommend doing!!!) while Mullen and I flew to Phnom Penh and then hired a car to drive us. The car should normally cost about 50 US dollars and the drive can take anywhere from 4 to 6 hours. The rode was smooth and I imagine had the sun not set so early it would have been nice scenery. So if you have the time it isn't your worst option, I would have just preferred the conveince of getting here -- for future reference.
Siem Reap is incredible. Cambodia is definitely one of my favorite places to have travelled. In general the people have been very kind. We are staying at the Siem Reap Hostel. It is a fabulous place to stay on a budget. Aside from the dorm-style rooms, you would think this place was a 4 star hotel. They cater to backpackers and laid back travelers, so they do a lot to make the place comfortable. They show movies, offer game-boards, have a swimming pool and a stocked kitchen... PLUS they have free internet! A Major Plus :-) Not to mention they are affiliated with a great group of Tuk-Tuk Drivers who have carted us around Angkor Wat the past two days. There is a variety of restaurants within walking distance and it is a short ride to the ruins.... so all in all ... it's perfect! I would definitely recommend this place to anyone coming to Cambodia. As they say in their advertisements, it is a five sandal resort ;-)
I am off to take a swim and wash of the dust and grime from our day .. then it is out for Mexican food for dinner!! Cambodia, sa rang hae yo!!!
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Happy Birthday to Me! ... Still in Tokyo
Andrea and I have been in Tokyo for a week now and are both sufficiently in love with this city! Everything is organized and clean and well-presented... and mostly just overall welcoming! Tokyo, well done. We have been very busy, but I have to fill you in on how I spent my birthday last Thursday. I really doubt if there is any better way to turn 23... for me at least.
I of course spent the day at Tokyo Disney. Being a Southern California Native I have a super soft spot for anything Disney or Disneyland related, and going to Tokyo Disney was the closest to home I was going to get! The entire day felt like a dream for ... well, a ton of reasons. But mainly because evrything about the place was just so familiar! My mind had a hard time accepting it was actually in TOKYO and not ANAHEIM. Andrea was very patient with me as I would pause and just let my jaw hang open in complete disbelief that I was where I was. My first prority after entering the park was to pick up my mouse ears - of course! Tokyo Disney is celebrating their 25th Anniversary, so I chose a pair of special anniversary ears. Japanese Disney-goers seem more interested in odd sorts of hair accessories than they do traditonal mouse ears and ball caps, so they were the best ones. We rode all my favorite rides, and Andrea was, again, extraordinarily patient as I schooled her on the entire history of each attraction. (Or at least its counterpart in Anaheim) We took lots of pictures (that I will post here as soon as I find a good way to upload them) and ate lunch at Tomorrowland Terrace. Sadly ... The Haunted Mansion and Star Tours were both closed for rennovations and there wasn't time for the Jungle Cruise or Space Mountain because we had a dinner reservation at 6 pm.
My parents are amazing and for my birthday I got to eat at Club 33. It was incredible! In Anaheim, Club 33 is located in New Orleans Square, above Pirates of the Caribbean and Blue Bayou, but in Tokyo is in the World Bazzar (which is the same as Main Street, USA at home). We had were seated near the window and could see Cinderella's Castle from our table. (Yes, they have Cinderella's Castle, not Sleeping Beauty's like at home.) The staff were all very kind and were doing their best to speak English. We were surprised, because we assumed a place as nice as Club 33 would have an English speaking staff, because so many other places in the park did. After our first course, the head waiter told me that my "Birthday Ceremony" was ready, and asked Andrea and me to follow him. We went into a side lounge and sat down. Not gonna lie - it was a little creepy - even though I knew what was coming next. The whole wait staff came in and greeted me in Japanese. They took some pictures of Andrea and me and gave me a huge schpeal ... which was in Japanese too .. so I have no clue what they said. Then they sang and I blew out the candles on my small but sweet Birthday Cake. Then of course, the guest of honor arrived: Mickey Mouse! I felt pretty silly considering it was my TWENTY-third and not my THIRD birthday, but it was still fun. The Japansese teenager that was likely playing Mickey popped his (her?) head into the room in perfect Mickey fashion and we posed for a whole slew of pictures ... and then blew my birthday candles out again. Then Mickey had to leave so that he could get to the parade.. haha .. and we went back to our table. While we were gone, they folded our napkins to look like Mickey and Minnie Mouse, and put a rose on my plate. We enjoyed a DELICIOUS meal and were just waiting for them to kick us out when all of the sudden the lights dimmed, they pulled back the curtains, and I saw the Blue Fairy wheeling straight towards me! For those of you who are not Disney-Literate; the Electrical Light Parade began and went directly beneath our window. We could hear the music and watch the parade with the castle in the background! It was so perfect. They let us stay to watch the fireworks too, and gave us some souvenir Club 33 sticker books (well, match books that had stickers inside) that had our names and the date on them. Not to mention the souvenir photos with Mickey Mouse - those were great too! haha.
We left, rode Peter Pan, the Tea Cups and It's A Small World ... and then had to leave to go home (always the saddest part of any Disney day)
It was the most relaxing and happy birthday I think I have had .. in recent memory anyway! And what a wonderful way to kick-start my trip! I of course was thinking of all of you - and wishing you could have been there too. We've been keeping quite busy in Tokyo, and I will update soon if I can. We leave on Thursday to make our trek into Cambodia, and I am sure this is the last reliable internet connection I'll have for a while... so pleae be patient and check back often!
I of course spent the day at Tokyo Disney. Being a Southern California Native I have a super soft spot for anything Disney or Disneyland related, and going to Tokyo Disney was the closest to home I was going to get! The entire day felt like a dream for ... well, a ton of reasons. But mainly because evrything about the place was just so familiar! My mind had a hard time accepting it was actually in TOKYO and not ANAHEIM. Andrea was very patient with me as I would pause and just let my jaw hang open in complete disbelief that I was where I was. My first prority after entering the park was to pick up my mouse ears - of course! Tokyo Disney is celebrating their 25th Anniversary, so I chose a pair of special anniversary ears. Japanese Disney-goers seem more interested in odd sorts of hair accessories than they do traditonal mouse ears and ball caps, so they were the best ones. We rode all my favorite rides, and Andrea was, again, extraordinarily patient as I schooled her on the entire history of each attraction. (Or at least its counterpart in Anaheim) We took lots of pictures (that I will post here as soon as I find a good way to upload them) and ate lunch at Tomorrowland Terrace. Sadly ... The Haunted Mansion and Star Tours were both closed for rennovations and there wasn't time for the Jungle Cruise or Space Mountain because we had a dinner reservation at 6 pm.
My parents are amazing and for my birthday I got to eat at Club 33. It was incredible! In Anaheim, Club 33 is located in New Orleans Square, above Pirates of the Caribbean and Blue Bayou, but in Tokyo is in the World Bazzar (which is the same as Main Street, USA at home). We had were seated near the window and could see Cinderella's Castle from our table. (Yes, they have Cinderella's Castle, not Sleeping Beauty's like at home.) The staff were all very kind and were doing their best to speak English. We were surprised, because we assumed a place as nice as Club 33 would have an English speaking staff, because so many other places in the park did. After our first course, the head waiter told me that my "Birthday Ceremony" was ready, and asked Andrea and me to follow him. We went into a side lounge and sat down. Not gonna lie - it was a little creepy - even though I knew what was coming next. The whole wait staff came in and greeted me in Japanese. They took some pictures of Andrea and me and gave me a huge schpeal ... which was in Japanese too .. so I have no clue what they said. Then they sang and I blew out the candles on my small but sweet Birthday Cake. Then of course, the guest of honor arrived: Mickey Mouse! I felt pretty silly considering it was my TWENTY-third and not my THIRD birthday, but it was still fun. The Japansese teenager that was likely playing Mickey popped his (her?) head into the room in perfect Mickey fashion and we posed for a whole slew of pictures ... and then blew my birthday candles out again. Then Mickey had to leave so that he could get to the parade.. haha .. and we went back to our table. While we were gone, they folded our napkins to look like Mickey and Minnie Mouse, and put a rose on my plate. We enjoyed a DELICIOUS meal and were just waiting for them to kick us out when all of the sudden the lights dimmed, they pulled back the curtains, and I saw the Blue Fairy wheeling straight towards me! For those of you who are not Disney-Literate; the Electrical Light Parade began and went directly beneath our window. We could hear the music and watch the parade with the castle in the background! It was so perfect. They let us stay to watch the fireworks too, and gave us some souvenir Club 33 sticker books (well, match books that had stickers inside) that had our names and the date on them. Not to mention the souvenir photos with Mickey Mouse - those were great too! haha.
We left, rode Peter Pan, the Tea Cups and It's A Small World ... and then had to leave to go home (always the saddest part of any Disney day)
It was the most relaxing and happy birthday I think I have had .. in recent memory anyway! And what a wonderful way to kick-start my trip! I of course was thinking of all of you - and wishing you could have been there too. We've been keeping quite busy in Tokyo, and I will update soon if I can. We leave on Thursday to make our trek into Cambodia, and I am sure this is the last reliable internet connection I'll have for a while... so pleae be patient and check back often!
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
I made it to JAPAN!
Konnichiwa! (Yes, I am *that* lame and predictable.) I have finally made it to Japan and my vacation/adventure has begun!!
On Tuesday morning Andrea and I flew from Seoul to Hiroshima. Hiroshima is probably the quietest place I have ever been. The airport was practically abandonned. Ｗｅ ｃｏｌｌｅｃｔｅｄ ｏｕｒ ｂａｇｓ， ｃｈａｎｇｅｄ ｏｕｒ ｍｏｎｅｙ， ａｎｄ ｔｒｉｅｄ ｔｏ ｆｉｇｕｒｅ ｏｕｔ ａ ｗａｙ ｉｎｔｏ ｔｈｅ ｃｉｔｙ． Ｔｈｅｒｅ ｗａｓ ｎｏ ｏｎｅ ａｔ ｔｈｅ ｉｎｆｏｒｍａｔｉｏｎ ｄｅｓｋ， ａｎｄ ｚｅｒｏ ｓｉｇｎ－ａｄｇｅ ｉｎ Ｅｎｇｌｉｓｈ ．． ｓｏ ｔｈａｔ ｔｏｏｋ ａｗｈｉｌｅ． ｈａｈａ． Ｗｅ ｆｉｎａｌｌｙ ｇｏｔ ｔｏ ｏｕｒ ｈｏｓｔｅｌ ｆｏｒ ｔｈｅ ｎｉｇｈｔ， Ｊ－Ｈｏｐｐｅｒｓ， ｈａｖｉｎｇ ａｌｒｅａｄｙ ｄｅｃｉｄｅｄ ｔｏ ｃａｎｃｅｌ ｏｕｒ ｒｏｏｍ ａｎｄ ｈｅａｄ ｆｏｒ Ｔｏｋｙｏ ｔｈａｔ ｅｖｅｎｉｎｇ （Ｓｏ ｔｈａｔ Ｉ ｃｏｕｌｄ ｓｏｒｔ ｏｕｔ ｓａｉｄ Ｖｉｓａ ｐｒｏｂｌｅｍｓ）． Ｔｈｅｙ ｐｅｏｐｌｅ ａｔ Ｊ－Ｈｏｐｐｅｒｓ ｗｅｒｅ ｈｅｌｐｆｕｌ ａｎｄ ｑｕｉｔｅ ｕｎｄｅｒｓｔａｎｄｉｎｇ ａｎｄ ｈｅｌｐｅｄ ｕｓ ｆｉｇｕｒｅ ｏｕｔ ｏｕｒ ｗａｙ ｔｏ ｔｈｅ ｔｒａｉｎ ｓｔａｔｉｏｎ．Ｂｅｆｏｒｅ ｗｅ ｈｅａｄｅｄ ｔｏ Ｔｏｋｙｏ ｗｅ ｔｏｏｋ ｉｎ ｔｈｅ ｍａｊｏｒ ｓｉｇｈｔｓ ｏｆ Ｈｉｒｏｓｈｉｍａ ｆｏｒ ｏｎｅ ａｆｔｅｒｎｏｏｎ． Ｗｅ ｗａｌｋｅｄ ｔｏ ｔｈｅ Ｐｅａｃｅ Ｍｅｍｏｒｉａｌ Ｐａｒｋ ａｎｄ ｓａｗ ｔｈｅ ｍｏｎｕｍｅｎｔｓ ａｎｄ ｍｅｍｏｒｉａｌｓ ｔｏ ｔｈｏｓｅ ｗｈｏｓｅ ｌｉｖｅｓ ｗｅｒｅ ｌｏｓｔ ｗｈｅｎ ｔｈｅ Ａ－Ｂｏｍｂ ｗａｓ ｄｒｏｐｐｅｄ． Ｕｎｆｏｒｔｕｎａｔｅｌｙ， ｗｅ ｄｉｄｎ’ｔ ｈａｖｅ ｔｉｍｅ ｔｏ ｖｉｓｉｔ ｔｈｅ ｍｕｓｅｕｍ．
Ｔｈｅ ｐａｒｋ ｉｔｓｅｌｆ ｉｓ ｂｅａｕｔｉｆｕｌ． Ｉｔ ｗａｓ ｔｈｏｕｇｈｔｆｕｌｌｙ ｐｌａｎｎｅｄ， ａｎｄ ｉｓ ｑｕｉｔｅ ．．ｗｅｌｌ．． ｐｅａｃｅｆｕｌ． Ａｌｌ ｏｆ ｔｈｅ ｐｌａｑｕｅｓ ａｎｄ ｄｅｄｉｃａｔｉｏｎｓ ｍａｒｋ ｔｈｅ ｄａｔｅ ｏｆ ｔｈｅ ｂｏｍｂｉｎｇ ａｎｄ ａｒｅ ｅｎｇｒａｖｅｄ ｗｉｔｈ ｈｏｐｅｆｕｌ ｍｅｓｓａｇｅｓ ｔｈａｔ ｔｈｉｓ ｓｏｒｔ ｏｆ ｄｅｖａｓｔａｔｉｏｎ ｗｉｌｌ ｎｅｖｅｒ ｏｃｃｕｒ ａｇａｉｎ． Ｉｔ ｗａｓ ｗｏｎｄｅｒｆｕｌ ｔｏ ｓｅｅ ｈｏｗ ｕｎｉｖｅｒｓａｌｌｙ ｈｏｐｅｆｕｌ ａｎｄ ｏｐｔｉｍｉｓｔｉｃ ｔｈｅ ｓｅｎｔｉｍｅｎｔ ｏｆ ｔｈｅ ｍｏｎｕｍｅｎｔｓ ｗｅｒｅ； ｗｈｅｎ ｔｈｅ Ｊａｐａｎｅｓｅ ｒｅａｌｌｙ ｈａｖｅ ｔｈｅ ｒｉｇｈｔ ａｎｄ ｏｐｐｏｒｔｕｎｉｔｙ ｔｏ ｂｅ ｕｐｓｅｔ ａｂｏｕｔ ｔｈｅ ｍａｎｎｅｒ ｉｎ ｗｈｉｃｈ ｔｈｅｙ ｗｅｒｅ ａｔｔａｃｋｅｄ． Ｔｈｅ ｂｕｉｌｄｉｎｇ ｔｈｅ ｂｏｍｂ ｅｘｐｌｏｄｅｄ ｄｉｒｅｃｔｌｙ ａｂｏｖｅ ｉｓ ｐａｒｔａｉｌｌｙ ｓｔａｎｄｉｎｇ ａｎｄ ｈａｓ ｂｅｅｎ ｎａｍｅｄ ｔｈｅ Ａ－Ｂｏｍｂ Ｄｏｍｅ． Ｉｔ ｗａｓ ｕｔｔｅｒｌｙ ｂｏｎｅ－ｃｈｉｌｌｉｎｇ ｔｏ ｓｅｅ ｉｎ ｐｅｒｓｏｎ． Ｔｈｅｒｅ ｗａｓ ａ ｌｏｔ ｏｆ ａｒｇｕｍｅｎｔｓ ｏｖｅｒ ｗｈｅｔｈｅｒ ｔｈｅ ｂｕｉｌｄｉｎｇ ｓｈｏｕｌｄ ｈａｖｅ ｂｅｅｎ ｄｅｍｏｌｉｓｈｅｄ， ｒｅｓｔｏｒｒｅｄ ｏｒ ｌｅｆｔ ａｓ ｉｓ．．．ｂｕｔ ｉｎ ｔｈｅ ｅｎｄ （ｓｏｍｅｔｉｍｅ ｉｎ ｔｈｅ ６０ｓ） ｉｔ ｗａｓ ｄｅｃｉｄｅｄ ｔｈａｔ ｔｈｅｙ ｂｕｉｌｄｉｎｇ ｗａｓ ａｎ ｉｍｐｏｒｔａｎｔ ｒｅｍｉｎｄｅｒ ｏｆ ｔｈｅ ｐａｉｎ ｔｈａｔ Ｊａｐａｎ ｓｕｆｆｅｒｅｄ ａｓ ａ ｒｅｓｕｌｔ ｏｆ ａｔｏｍｉｃ ｗａｒｆａｒｅ， ａｎｄ ａ ｍｅｓｓａｇｅ ｆｏｒ ｔｈｅ ｆｕｔｕｒｅ ｓｏ ｔｈａｔ ｈｏｐｅｆｕｌｌｙ， ｔｈｉｎｇｓ ｗｉｌｌ ｎｅｖｅｒ ｅｓｃａｌａｔｅ ｔｏ ｔｈａｔ ｌｅｖｅｌ ａｇａｉｎ．
Ｔｈｅ ｍｏｓｔ ｔｏｕｃｈｉｎｇ ｐａｒｔ ｏｆ ｔｈｅ ｐａｒｋ ｗａｓ ｐｒｏｂａｂｌｙ ｔｈｅ Ｃｈｉｌｄｒｅｎ’ｓ Ｐｅａｃｅ Ｍｏｎｕｍｅｎｔ． Ｗｈｅｎ Ｉ ｗａｓ ｉｎ ｔｈｉｒｄ ｇｒａｄｅ， Ｉ ｃａｎ ｒｅｍｅｍｂｅｒ ｍｙ ｔｅａｃｈｅｒ ｔｅｌｌｉｎｇ ｕｓ ｔｈｅ ｓｔｏｒｙ ｏｆ ｏｎｅ ｌｉｔｔｌｅ ｇｉｒｌ， ｗｈｏ ｗａｓ ｄｉａｇｎｏｓｅｄ ｗｉｔｈ ｌｅｕｋｅｍｉａ ａｓ ａ ｒｅｓｕｌｔ．Ｓｈｅ ｗａｎｔｅｄ ｔｏ ｆｏｌｄ ｏｎｅ ｐａｐｅｒ ｃｒａｎｅ ｆｏｒ ｅｖｅｒｙ ｐｅｒｓｏｎ ｗｈｏ was ｋｉｌｌｅｄ ｏｎ Ａｕｇｕｓｔ ６， １９４５． Ｓａｄｌｙ， ｓｈｅ ｗａｓｎ’ｔ ａｂｌｅ ｔｏ ｆｉｎｉｓｈ， ｂｕｔ ａｆｔｅｒ ｈｅｒ ｄｅａｔｈ， ｈｅｒ ｃｌａｓｓｍａｔｅｓ ｆｉｎｉｓｈｅｄ ｆｏｒ ｈｅｒ － ａｎｄ ｔｈｅｎ ｐｅｔｉｔｉｏｎｅｄ ｔｈｅ ｃｉｔｙ ｔｏ ｂｕｉｌｄ ａ ｍｏｎｕｍｅｎｔ ｉｎ ｈｏｎｏｒ ｏｆ ｈｅｒ － ａｎｄ ａｌｌ ｏｆ ｔｈｅ ｏｔｈｅｒ ｃｈｉｌｄｒｅｎ ｗｈｏ ｄｉｅｄ ａｓ ａ ｒｅｓｕｌｔ ｏｆ ｒａｄｉａｔｉｏｎ ｐｏｉｓｏｎｉｎｇ ．．．Ｈｅｒｅ ｉｓ ｈｅｒ ｓｔｏｒｙ ｃｏｐｐｉｅｄ ｆｒｏｍ ｔｈｅ Ｈｉｒｏｓｈｉｍａ Ｃｉｔｙ Ｗｅｂｓｉｔｅ：
Sadako was two years old when she was exposed to the A-bomb. She had no apparent injuries and grew into a strong and healthy girl. However, nine years later in the fall when she was in the sixth grade of elementary school (1954), she suddenly developed signs of an illness. In February the following year she was diagnosed with leukemia and was admitted to the Hiroshima Red Cross Hospital. Believing that folding paper cranes would help her recover, she kept folding them to the end, but on October 25, 1955, after an eight-month struggle with the disease, she passed away.
Sadako's death triggered a campaign to build a monument to pray for world peace and the peaceful repose of the many children killed by the atomic bomb. The Children's Peace Monument that stands in Peace Park was built with funds donated from all over Japan. Later, this story spread to the world, and now, approximately 10 million cranes are offered each year before the Children's Peace Monument.
Ｓｅｅｉｎｇ ｔｈａｔ Ｍｏｎｕｍｅｎｔ， ａｎｄ ｔｈｅ ｃａｓｅｓ ｏｆ ｐａｐｅｒ ｃｒａｎｅｓ ｓｅｎｔ ｉｎ ｆｒｏｍ ａｌｌ ｏｖｅｒ ｔｈｅ ｗｏｒｌｄ ｗａｓ ｓｔｕｎｎｉｎｇ － ａｎｄ ｅｘｔｒａｏｒｄｉｎａｒｉｌｙ ｆｕｆｉｌｌｉｎｇ！ Ｉ ｃａｎ ｒｅｍｅｍｂｅｒ ｌｅａｒｎｉｎｇ ａｂｏｕｔ Ｊａｐａｎ， ａｎｄ Ｈｉｒｏｓｈｉｍａ ｆｒｏｍ Ｍｒｓ． Ｃｏｂｌｅ ｓｏ ｃｌｅａｒｌｙ － ａｎｄ ｔｈｉｎｋｉｎｇ ｈｏｗ Ｉ ｗａｎｔｅｄ ｔｏ ｇｏ ｔｈｅｒｅ ｓｏｍｅｄａｙ．Ａｎｄ ｎｏｗ Ｉ ｈａｖｅ！Ｉ ｄｏｎ’ｔ ｋｎｏｗ ．．． ｉｎ ｍａｎｙ ｗａｙｓ ｉｔ ｆｅｌｔ ｓａｃｒｅｄ ｔｏ ｂｅ ｓｔａｎｄｉｎｇ ｔｈｅｒｅ．
Ａｆｔｅｒ ｓｅｅｉｎｇ ｔｈｅ ｐａｒｋ ｗｅ ｃａｕｇｈｔ ａ ｔｒａｉｎ ｔｏ Ｔｏｋｙｏ ａｎｄ ｗｅ ｂｏｔｈ ｐａｓｓｅｄ ｏｕｔ！ ｈａｈａ． Ｉ ｈａｄ ｂａｒｅｌｙ ｓｌｅｐｔ ｔｈｅ ｐａｓｔ ｆｅｗ ｎｉｇｈｔｓ， ｈａｖｉｎｇ ｌｅｆｔ Ｋｏｒｅａ ｉｎ ｓｕｃｈ ａ ｗｈｉｒｌｗｉｎｄ，ｎｏｔ ｔｏ ｍｅｎｔｉｏｎ ｈａｖｉｎｇ ＷＯＲＫＥＤ ｔｈｅ ｄａｙ ｂｅｆｏｒｅ！ Ｗｅ ｆｏｕｎｄ ｔｈｅ Ｍａｒｒｉｏｔｔ ｗｉｔｈｏｕｔ ｔｏｏ ｍｕｃｈ ｔｒｏｕｂｌｅ， ａｎｄ ｗｅｒｅ ａｂｌｅ ｔｏ ｃｈｅｃｋ ｉｎ ｏｎｅ ｎｉｇｈｔ ｅａｒｌｙ． Ｉ ｄｏｎ：ｔ ｋｎｏｗ ｉｆ ｔｗｏ ｐｅｏｐｌｅ ｈａｖｅ ｅｖｅｒ ｂｅｅｎ ｈａｐｐｉｅｒ ｔｏ ｓｅｅ ｃｌｅａｎ ｓｈｅｅｔｓ， ａｎｄ ａ ｈｏｔ ｓｈｏｗｅｒ！！！ Ａｆｔｅｒ ａｌｌ ｗｅ ｈａｄ ｂｅｅｎ ｔｈｒｏｕｇｈ， ｓｔａｙｉｎｇ ｉｎ Ｔｏｋｙｏ ｔｈｉｓ ｗｅｅｋ ｈａｓ ｂｅｅｎ ｔｈｅ ｍｏｓｔ ａｍａｚｉｎｇ ｖａｃａｔｉｏｎ． Ｔｈｅ ｐｅｏｐｌｅ ａｒｅ ｋｉｎｄ ａｎｄ ｈｅｌｐｆｕｌ． Ｔｈｅ ｃｉｔｙ ｉｓ ｅｘｔｒａｏｒｄｉｎａｒｉｌｙ ｃｌｅａｎ． Ａｎｄ ｏｆ ｃｏｕｒｓｅ， ｔｈｅ ｆｏｏｄ － ａｎｄ ＶＡＲＩＥＴＹ ｏｆ ｆｏｏｄ － ｈａｓ ｂｅｅｎ ａｍａｚｉｎｇ． Ｔｈｅｙ ｅｖｅｎ ｈａｖｅ ｏｎｅ ｏｆ ｍｙ ｆａｖｏｒｉｔｅ ｃｏｆｆｅｅ ｓｈｏｐｓ ｆｒｏｍ ｈｏｍｅ （Ｔｕｌｌｙ’ｓ Ｃｏｆｆｅｅ） ｒｉｇｈｔ ｎｅｘｔ ｔｏ ｏｕｒ ｈｏｔｅｌ！Ｔｈｉｓ ｉｓ ａ ｓｐｅｃｔａｃｕｌａｒ ｗａｙ ｔｏ ｂｅｇｉｎ ｏｕｒ ｔｒｉｐ！
Ｔｈｅ ｄｏｍｅ ｙｏｕ ｓｅｅ ｔｈｒｏｕｇｈ ｔｈｅ ａｒｃｈ ｉｓ ｆｒｏｍ ｔｈｅ Ａ－Ｂｏｍｂ Ｄｏｍｅ
Ｔｈｅ ｂｏｍｂ ｅｘｐｌｏｄｅｄ ａｂｏｕｔ 160 meters / 490 feet away and 580 meters / 1968 feet above ｔｈｉｓ ｂｕｉｌｄｉｎｇ．Ｔｈｅ ｄｉａｇｒａｍ ｓｈｏｗｓ ｔｈｅ ｏｒｉｇｉｎａｌ ｓｔｒｕｃｔｕｒｅ， ｔｈｅ ｄａｎａｇｅ ａｆｔｅｒｗａｒｄｓ， ｔｈｅ ｒｅｉｎｆｏｒｃｅｍｅｎｔｓ ｍａｄｅ ｔｏ ｋｅｅｐ ｉｔ ｓｔａｎｄｉｎｇ， ａｎｄ ａｎ ａｅｒｉａｌ ｖｉｅｗ ｆｒｏｍ ａｐｐｒｏｘｉｍａｔｅｌｙ ｔｈｅ ｅｘａｃｔ ｐｏｉｎｔ ｗｈｅｒｅ ｉｔ ｅｘｐｌｏｄｅｄ．
Ｔｈｅ ｂｕｉｌｄｉｎｇ ｗａｓ ａｎ ｉｃｏｎ ｉｎ ｔｈｅ ｃｉｔｙ ｂｅｆｏｒｅ ｔｈｅ ｂｏｍｂｉｎｇ ａｎｄ ｗａｓ ｕｓｅｄ ａｓ ｂｏｔｈ ａ ｔｅｍｐｏｒａｒｙ ｍｕｓｅｕｍ， ａ ｃｕｌｔｕｒａｌ ｃｅｎｔｅｒ ａｎｄ ａｎ ｏｆｆｉｃａｌ ｇｏｖｅｒｎｍｅｎｔ ｂｕｉｌｄｉｎｇ． Ｔｈｉｓ ｉｓ ａ ｐｉｃｔｕｒｅ ｏｆ ｉｔ ｎｏｗ， ａｎｄ ａｓ ｉｔ ｌｏｏｋｅｄ ｏｒｉｇｉｎａｌｌｙ．
Ｃｈｉｌｄｒｅｎ’ｓ Ｐｅａｃｅ Ｍｏｎｕｍｅｎｔ
On Tuesday morning Andrea and I flew from Seoul to Hiroshima. Hiroshima is probably the quietest place I have ever been. The airport was practically abandonned. Ｗｅ ｃｏｌｌｅｃｔｅｄ ｏｕｒ ｂａｇｓ， ｃｈａｎｇｅｄ ｏｕｒ ｍｏｎｅｙ， ａｎｄ ｔｒｉｅｄ ｔｏ ｆｉｇｕｒｅ ｏｕｔ ａ ｗａｙ ｉｎｔｏ ｔｈｅ ｃｉｔｙ． Ｔｈｅｒｅ ｗａｓ ｎｏ ｏｎｅ ａｔ ｔｈｅ ｉｎｆｏｒｍａｔｉｏｎ ｄｅｓｋ， ａｎｄ ｚｅｒｏ ｓｉｇｎ－ａｄｇｅ ｉｎ Ｅｎｇｌｉｓｈ ．． ｓｏ ｔｈａｔ ｔｏｏｋ ａｗｈｉｌｅ． ｈａｈａ． Ｗｅ ｆｉｎａｌｌｙ ｇｏｔ ｔｏ ｏｕｒ ｈｏｓｔｅｌ ｆｏｒ ｔｈｅ ｎｉｇｈｔ， Ｊ－Ｈｏｐｐｅｒｓ， ｈａｖｉｎｇ ａｌｒｅａｄｙ ｄｅｃｉｄｅｄ ｔｏ ｃａｎｃｅｌ ｏｕｒ ｒｏｏｍ ａｎｄ ｈｅａｄ ｆｏｒ Ｔｏｋｙｏ ｔｈａｔ ｅｖｅｎｉｎｇ （Ｓｏ ｔｈａｔ Ｉ ｃｏｕｌｄ ｓｏｒｔ ｏｕｔ ｓａｉｄ Ｖｉｓａ ｐｒｏｂｌｅｍｓ）． Ｔｈｅｙ ｐｅｏｐｌｅ ａｔ Ｊ－Ｈｏｐｐｅｒｓ ｗｅｒｅ ｈｅｌｐｆｕｌ ａｎｄ ｑｕｉｔｅ ｕｎｄｅｒｓｔａｎｄｉｎｇ ａｎｄ ｈｅｌｐｅｄ ｕｓ ｆｉｇｕｒｅ ｏｕｔ ｏｕｒ ｗａｙ ｔｏ ｔｈｅ ｔｒａｉｎ ｓｔａｔｉｏｎ．Ｂｅｆｏｒｅ ｗｅ ｈｅａｄｅｄ ｔｏ Ｔｏｋｙｏ ｗｅ ｔｏｏｋ ｉｎ ｔｈｅ ｍａｊｏｒ ｓｉｇｈｔｓ ｏｆ Ｈｉｒｏｓｈｉｍａ ｆｏｒ ｏｎｅ ａｆｔｅｒｎｏｏｎ． Ｗｅ ｗａｌｋｅｄ ｔｏ ｔｈｅ Ｐｅａｃｅ Ｍｅｍｏｒｉａｌ Ｐａｒｋ ａｎｄ ｓａｗ ｔｈｅ ｍｏｎｕｍｅｎｔｓ ａｎｄ ｍｅｍｏｒｉａｌｓ ｔｏ ｔｈｏｓｅ ｗｈｏｓｅ ｌｉｖｅｓ ｗｅｒｅ ｌｏｓｔ ｗｈｅｎ ｔｈｅ Ａ－Ｂｏｍｂ ｗａｓ ｄｒｏｐｐｅｄ． Ｕｎｆｏｒｔｕｎａｔｅｌｙ， ｗｅ ｄｉｄｎ’ｔ ｈａｖｅ ｔｉｍｅ ｔｏ ｖｉｓｉｔ ｔｈｅ ｍｕｓｅｕｍ．
Ｔｈｅ ｐａｒｋ ｉｔｓｅｌｆ ｉｓ ｂｅａｕｔｉｆｕｌ． Ｉｔ ｗａｓ ｔｈｏｕｇｈｔｆｕｌｌｙ ｐｌａｎｎｅｄ， ａｎｄ ｉｓ ｑｕｉｔｅ ．．ｗｅｌｌ．． ｐｅａｃｅｆｕｌ． Ａｌｌ ｏｆ ｔｈｅ ｐｌａｑｕｅｓ ａｎｄ ｄｅｄｉｃａｔｉｏｎｓ ｍａｒｋ ｔｈｅ ｄａｔｅ ｏｆ ｔｈｅ ｂｏｍｂｉｎｇ ａｎｄ ａｒｅ ｅｎｇｒａｖｅｄ ｗｉｔｈ ｈｏｐｅｆｕｌ ｍｅｓｓａｇｅｓ ｔｈａｔ ｔｈｉｓ ｓｏｒｔ ｏｆ ｄｅｖａｓｔａｔｉｏｎ ｗｉｌｌ ｎｅｖｅｒ ｏｃｃｕｒ ａｇａｉｎ． Ｉｔ ｗａｓ ｗｏｎｄｅｒｆｕｌ ｔｏ ｓｅｅ ｈｏｗ ｕｎｉｖｅｒｓａｌｌｙ ｈｏｐｅｆｕｌ ａｎｄ ｏｐｔｉｍｉｓｔｉｃ ｔｈｅ ｓｅｎｔｉｍｅｎｔ ｏｆ ｔｈｅ ｍｏｎｕｍｅｎｔｓ ｗｅｒｅ； ｗｈｅｎ ｔｈｅ Ｊａｐａｎｅｓｅ ｒｅａｌｌｙ ｈａｖｅ ｔｈｅ ｒｉｇｈｔ ａｎｄ ｏｐｐｏｒｔｕｎｉｔｙ ｔｏ ｂｅ ｕｐｓｅｔ ａｂｏｕｔ ｔｈｅ ｍａｎｎｅｒ ｉｎ ｗｈｉｃｈ ｔｈｅｙ ｗｅｒｅ ａｔｔａｃｋｅｄ． Ｔｈｅ ｂｕｉｌｄｉｎｇ ｔｈｅ ｂｏｍｂ ｅｘｐｌｏｄｅｄ ｄｉｒｅｃｔｌｙ ａｂｏｖｅ ｉｓ ｐａｒｔａｉｌｌｙ ｓｔａｎｄｉｎｇ ａｎｄ ｈａｓ ｂｅｅｎ ｎａｍｅｄ ｔｈｅ Ａ－Ｂｏｍｂ Ｄｏｍｅ． Ｉｔ ｗａｓ ｕｔｔｅｒｌｙ ｂｏｎｅ－ｃｈｉｌｌｉｎｇ ｔｏ ｓｅｅ ｉｎ ｐｅｒｓｏｎ． Ｔｈｅｒｅ ｗａｓ ａ ｌｏｔ ｏｆ ａｒｇｕｍｅｎｔｓ ｏｖｅｒ ｗｈｅｔｈｅｒ ｔｈｅ ｂｕｉｌｄｉｎｇ ｓｈｏｕｌｄ ｈａｖｅ ｂｅｅｎ ｄｅｍｏｌｉｓｈｅｄ， ｒｅｓｔｏｒｒｅｄ ｏｒ ｌｅｆｔ ａｓ ｉｓ．．．ｂｕｔ ｉｎ ｔｈｅ ｅｎｄ （ｓｏｍｅｔｉｍｅ ｉｎ ｔｈｅ ６０ｓ） ｉｔ ｗａｓ ｄｅｃｉｄｅｄ ｔｈａｔ ｔｈｅｙ ｂｕｉｌｄｉｎｇ ｗａｓ ａｎ ｉｍｐｏｒｔａｎｔ ｒｅｍｉｎｄｅｒ ｏｆ ｔｈｅ ｐａｉｎ ｔｈａｔ Ｊａｐａｎ ｓｕｆｆｅｒｅｄ ａｓ ａ ｒｅｓｕｌｔ ｏｆ ａｔｏｍｉｃ ｗａｒｆａｒｅ， ａｎｄ ａ ｍｅｓｓａｇｅ ｆｏｒ ｔｈｅ ｆｕｔｕｒｅ ｓｏ ｔｈａｔ ｈｏｐｅｆｕｌｌｙ， ｔｈｉｎｇｓ ｗｉｌｌ ｎｅｖｅｒ ｅｓｃａｌａｔｅ ｔｏ ｔｈａｔ ｌｅｖｅｌ ａｇａｉｎ．
Ｔｈｅ ｍｏｓｔ ｔｏｕｃｈｉｎｇ ｐａｒｔ ｏｆ ｔｈｅ ｐａｒｋ ｗａｓ ｐｒｏｂａｂｌｙ ｔｈｅ Ｃｈｉｌｄｒｅｎ’ｓ Ｐｅａｃｅ Ｍｏｎｕｍｅｎｔ． Ｗｈｅｎ Ｉ ｗａｓ ｉｎ ｔｈｉｒｄ ｇｒａｄｅ， Ｉ ｃａｎ ｒｅｍｅｍｂｅｒ ｍｙ ｔｅａｃｈｅｒ ｔｅｌｌｉｎｇ ｕｓ ｔｈｅ ｓｔｏｒｙ ｏｆ ｏｎｅ ｌｉｔｔｌｅ ｇｉｒｌ， ｗｈｏ ｗａｓ ｄｉａｇｎｏｓｅｄ ｗｉｔｈ ｌｅｕｋｅｍｉａ ａｓ ａ ｒｅｓｕｌｔ．Ｓｈｅ ｗａｎｔｅｄ ｔｏ ｆｏｌｄ ｏｎｅ ｐａｐｅｒ ｃｒａｎｅ ｆｏｒ ｅｖｅｒｙ ｐｅｒｓｏｎ ｗｈｏ was ｋｉｌｌｅｄ ｏｎ Ａｕｇｕｓｔ ６， １９４５． Ｓａｄｌｙ， ｓｈｅ ｗａｓｎ’ｔ ａｂｌｅ ｔｏ ｆｉｎｉｓｈ， ｂｕｔ ａｆｔｅｒ ｈｅｒ ｄｅａｔｈ， ｈｅｒ ｃｌａｓｓｍａｔｅｓ ｆｉｎｉｓｈｅｄ ｆｏｒ ｈｅｒ － ａｎｄ ｔｈｅｎ ｐｅｔｉｔｉｏｎｅｄ ｔｈｅ ｃｉｔｙ ｔｏ ｂｕｉｌｄ ａ ｍｏｎｕｍｅｎｔ ｉｎ ｈｏｎｏｒ ｏｆ ｈｅｒ － ａｎｄ ａｌｌ ｏｆ ｔｈｅ ｏｔｈｅｒ ｃｈｉｌｄｒｅｎ ｗｈｏ ｄｉｅｄ ａｓ ａ ｒｅｓｕｌｔ ｏｆ ｒａｄｉａｔｉｏｎ ｐｏｉｓｏｎｉｎｇ ．．．Ｈｅｒｅ ｉｓ ｈｅｒ ｓｔｏｒｙ ｃｏｐｐｉｅｄ ｆｒｏｍ ｔｈｅ Ｈｉｒｏｓｈｉｍａ Ｃｉｔｙ Ｗｅｂｓｉｔｅ：
Sadako was two years old when she was exposed to the A-bomb. She had no apparent injuries and grew into a strong and healthy girl. However, nine years later in the fall when she was in the sixth grade of elementary school (1954), she suddenly developed signs of an illness. In February the following year she was diagnosed with leukemia and was admitted to the Hiroshima Red Cross Hospital. Believing that folding paper cranes would help her recover, she kept folding them to the end, but on October 25, 1955, after an eight-month struggle with the disease, she passed away.
Sadako's death triggered a campaign to build a monument to pray for world peace and the peaceful repose of the many children killed by the atomic bomb. The Children's Peace Monument that stands in Peace Park was built with funds donated from all over Japan. Later, this story spread to the world, and now, approximately 10 million cranes are offered each year before the Children's Peace Monument.
Ｓｅｅｉｎｇ ｔｈａｔ Ｍｏｎｕｍｅｎｔ， ａｎｄ ｔｈｅ ｃａｓｅｓ ｏｆ ｐａｐｅｒ ｃｒａｎｅｓ ｓｅｎｔ ｉｎ ｆｒｏｍ ａｌｌ ｏｖｅｒ ｔｈｅ ｗｏｒｌｄ ｗａｓ ｓｔｕｎｎｉｎｇ － ａｎｄ ｅｘｔｒａｏｒｄｉｎａｒｉｌｙ ｆｕｆｉｌｌｉｎｇ！ Ｉ ｃａｎ ｒｅｍｅｍｂｅｒ ｌｅａｒｎｉｎｇ ａｂｏｕｔ Ｊａｐａｎ， ａｎｄ Ｈｉｒｏｓｈｉｍａ ｆｒｏｍ Ｍｒｓ． Ｃｏｂｌｅ ｓｏ ｃｌｅａｒｌｙ － ａｎｄ ｔｈｉｎｋｉｎｇ ｈｏｗ Ｉ ｗａｎｔｅｄ ｔｏ ｇｏ ｔｈｅｒｅ ｓｏｍｅｄａｙ．Ａｎｄ ｎｏｗ Ｉ ｈａｖｅ！Ｉ ｄｏｎ’ｔ ｋｎｏｗ ．．． ｉｎ ｍａｎｙ ｗａｙｓ ｉｔ ｆｅｌｔ ｓａｃｒｅｄ ｔｏ ｂｅ ｓｔａｎｄｉｎｇ ｔｈｅｒｅ．
Ａｆｔｅｒ ｓｅｅｉｎｇ ｔｈｅ ｐａｒｋ ｗｅ ｃａｕｇｈｔ ａ ｔｒａｉｎ ｔｏ Ｔｏｋｙｏ ａｎｄ ｗｅ ｂｏｔｈ ｐａｓｓｅｄ ｏｕｔ！ ｈａｈａ． Ｉ ｈａｄ ｂａｒｅｌｙ ｓｌｅｐｔ ｔｈｅ ｐａｓｔ ｆｅｗ ｎｉｇｈｔｓ， ｈａｖｉｎｇ ｌｅｆｔ Ｋｏｒｅａ ｉｎ ｓｕｃｈ ａ ｗｈｉｒｌｗｉｎｄ，ｎｏｔ ｔｏ ｍｅｎｔｉｏｎ ｈａｖｉｎｇ ＷＯＲＫＥＤ ｔｈｅ ｄａｙ ｂｅｆｏｒｅ！ Ｗｅ ｆｏｕｎｄ ｔｈｅ Ｍａｒｒｉｏｔｔ ｗｉｔｈｏｕｔ ｔｏｏ ｍｕｃｈ ｔｒｏｕｂｌｅ， ａｎｄ ｗｅｒｅ ａｂｌｅ ｔｏ ｃｈｅｃｋ ｉｎ ｏｎｅ ｎｉｇｈｔ ｅａｒｌｙ． Ｉ ｄｏｎ：ｔ ｋｎｏｗ ｉｆ ｔｗｏ ｐｅｏｐｌｅ ｈａｖｅ ｅｖｅｒ ｂｅｅｎ ｈａｐｐｉｅｒ ｔｏ ｓｅｅ ｃｌｅａｎ ｓｈｅｅｔｓ， ａｎｄ ａ ｈｏｔ ｓｈｏｗｅｒ！！！ Ａｆｔｅｒ ａｌｌ ｗｅ ｈａｄ ｂｅｅｎ ｔｈｒｏｕｇｈ， ｓｔａｙｉｎｇ ｉｎ Ｔｏｋｙｏ ｔｈｉｓ ｗｅｅｋ ｈａｓ ｂｅｅｎ ｔｈｅ ｍｏｓｔ ａｍａｚｉｎｇ ｖａｃａｔｉｏｎ． Ｔｈｅ ｐｅｏｐｌｅ ａｒｅ ｋｉｎｄ ａｎｄ ｈｅｌｐｆｕｌ． Ｔｈｅ ｃｉｔｙ ｉｓ ｅｘｔｒａｏｒｄｉｎａｒｉｌｙ ｃｌｅａｎ． Ａｎｄ ｏｆ ｃｏｕｒｓｅ， ｔｈｅ ｆｏｏｄ － ａｎｄ ＶＡＲＩＥＴＹ ｏｆ ｆｏｏｄ － ｈａｓ ｂｅｅｎ ａｍａｚｉｎｇ． Ｔｈｅｙ ｅｖｅｎ ｈａｖｅ ｏｎｅ ｏｆ ｍｙ ｆａｖｏｒｉｔｅ ｃｏｆｆｅｅ ｓｈｏｐｓ ｆｒｏｍ ｈｏｍｅ （Ｔｕｌｌｙ’ｓ Ｃｏｆｆｅｅ） ｒｉｇｈｔ ｎｅｘｔ ｔｏ ｏｕｒ ｈｏｔｅｌ！Ｔｈｉｓ ｉｓ ａ ｓｐｅｃｔａｃｕｌａｒ ｗａｙ ｔｏ ｂｅｇｉｎ ｏｕｒ ｔｒｉｐ！
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Ｔｈｅ ｂｏｍｂ ｅｘｐｌｏｄｅｄ ａｂｏｕｔ 160 meters / 490 feet away and 580 meters / 1968 feet above ｔｈｉｓ ｂｕｉｌｄｉｎｇ．Ｔｈｅ ｄｉａｇｒａｍ ｓｈｏｗｓ ｔｈｅ ｏｒｉｇｉｎａｌ ｓｔｒｕｃｔｕｒｅ， ｔｈｅ ｄａｎａｇｅ ａｆｔｅｒｗａｒｄｓ， ｔｈｅ ｒｅｉｎｆｏｒｃｅｍｅｎｔｓ ｍａｄｅ ｔｏ ｋｅｅｐ ｉｔ ｓｔａｎｄｉｎｇ， ａｎｄ ａｎ ａｅｒｉａｌ ｖｉｅｗ ｆｒｏｍ ａｐｐｒｏｘｉｍａｔｅｌｙ ｔｈｅ ｅｘａｃｔ ｐｏｉｎｔ ｗｈｅｒｅ ｉｔ ｅｘｐｌｏｄｅｄ．
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