Zoom'n across Japan

Hello, John Hewitt here.

Today, July 16th, was a day of transportation and reflection. The delegation started off with a short bus ride. We swapped modes of transportation at Toyota City, near the home of Ichiro of the Seattle Mariners. The bullet train lived up to its reputation: on time, quick station stop, and smooth sailing for 2.5 hrs. We arrived in Hiroshima and a city guide by the name of Enime gave us all a living history lesson. At 8:15 AM, August 6th, 1945 the city stopped. It was a bussling port with families going about their business. Amid air raid signals and all-clear signals, the atom bomb was dropped, ending 350,000 lives instantly and prolonging pain for another 150,000 for years to follow.

The students toured Peace Park, and island where ground zero occured. Numerous memorials fill the gardens, but the Peace Bell and a display of origami cranes are a focal point. We added our own chain of cranes to the multitude. A self-guided tour of the Peace Memorial Museum brought many to tears and made the mission of People to People Student Ambassadors a living testimony.

Half of the delegation ventured beyond the hotel with 2 leaders to the neighboring bustling train station. The bright neon lights and every-moving bodies mezmorized the learning visitors. A quick pop into the ever-familair Mc'Ds always brings a smile. Menu offerings amuse and either soothe longings for familiar tastes or challenge others to try new items. I had the Shaka Shaka Chicken.

The delegates know the end is near with only 2 more nights followed by a couple of long flights.

They are doing great and you'd be very proud of your ambassadors.