Paper Cranes

As a citizen of the world (and an American at that), the Hiroshima Peace Memorial is a difficult to witness, but powerfully important message to absorb. Seeing the still standing A-Bomb building preserved in the city center is a stark contrast to the rest of the modern city of Hiroshima. Inside the museum, the actual day-by-day effects of the bombing are displayed, with artifacts and first hand accounts showing the aftermath. It's intense, but I think it needed to be shown rather than just told. The most amazing aspect of it all is the final outlook the city and people have taken; peace. One story that encapsulates this well is Sadako Sasaki. She developed Luekemia from radioactive rain, and passed away 10 years after the bombing. While in the hospital, she learned about a folktale that folding 1000 paper cranes would bring good health and healing. She was loved by classmates and friends, and known for her cheerful demeanor; something she continued while folding over 1000 cranes. After she passed, the community continued her legacy and made thousands more to raise money for a memorial, and it became a worldwide movement. The monument dedicated to children effected by the bombing features her atop the structure holding a giant crane. That message continued in a nearby building that has an overlook of the city, and a side structure that houses millions of paper cranes. At the top floor, you can make a paper crane and add it to the pile visible from the outside of the building. I made my crane (after extensive help from the attendant), and dropped it into the pile. I think it's a beautiful symbol for the crane and peace movement.
The building also had an interesting sloping walkway that went top to bottom with local artwork. A slide went along it as well, so I had to try. I don't think it was designed for 6' Americans.Okumaya devam et