Hiroshima

Paper Cranes that have been folded and arranged to spell peace. Many young teenagers lost their lives one girl in particular had been exposed to the bomb at the age of 2. She grew and developed normally and showed no ill effects from the bomb until 10 years later. Doctors did not know what the illness was but today we know it as leukemia. The Japanese have a belief that if you fold 1,000 paper cranes your wish would be granted. The girl who's name was Sadako began folding paper cranes in hope that her wish (to have her illness cured) would come true...she folded over 1,300 paper cranes...some were so small that she used a needle to fold. Sadako lost her battle with cancer. Students from all over the world have folded paper cranes and have donated them to the monument that bears Sadako's name. It is with the paper cranes that we remember those young children who lost their lives and it is longing to have peace on Earth.

Melissa standing near a shrine....what is interesting about this shrine is that is has 3 Torii gates.

A monkey that we saw on Miyajima on Mt. Misen. Mt. Misen is the home to wild deer and red faced monkeys... at times these little guys were a little to close for comfort but fun to watch.