Hello everybody. It’s midnight in Kyoto. I spent most of the day in Hiroshima. I met and spoke with Keiko Ogura an eighty-eight year old survivor of the atomic bomb, dropped by the United States on her city on August 6, 1945. It was two days before her eighth birthday but she would never celebrate it. The unspeakable things that she witnessed on that terrible morning haunts her to this day. Yet she works tirelessly as a Representative of Hiroshima Interpreters for Peace, righteously preaching first hand of the inhumanity of the atomic bomb.

We placed a wreath of remembrance for the victims of Hiroshima nearly 80 years ago and prayed together for Peace and the banning of all nuclear weapons. Later we spoke of growing up in the post war world.

After we said a prayer the gentleman I photographed below also prayed. Through the curved arched the Genbaku Dome can be seen. It was the only structure left standing in the area where the atomic bomb exploded. It has been preserved just as it was after the bombing. It stands to remind us of the bomb’s destructive power but also as a plea for Peace.

I also visited the outskirts of the epicenter where homes over a hundred years old still stand. I was moved to see architectural survivors as well as the graceful twisting pines and tranquil gardens. I was also the happy recipient of a beautiful lunch and cup of sake. It was quite an emotional day, a mix of indelible sorrow and great hope.

It’s been a long day. As you can probably guess I am quite sleepy. I send good wishes to all. Tomorrow pictures from Kyoto. Sleep and wake well…