HIROSHIMA LAYERS

Hiroshima has been on the top of my travel list since high school. I have always been absolutely fascinated by history, in particular the World Wars in all their complexity. Remembering the horrific and terrible actions of humanity in the past is one of the most important efforts in moving forward in peace and unity. I wasn't quite sure what to expect from Hiroshima, but it blew all my assumptions away.

Before leaving on our trip, my dearest Nanna told of when she visited Japan, not long after WWII. It was a time when there was still a lot of animosity towards this country, yet my Nanna felt none when she was there. She couldn't express her fondness of the Japanese people enough, as I too can not. While Japan has changed a great deal since her trip, the people most certainly have not.

The Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park is the single most important location I've visited throughout all of my travels. While there was an imminent heavy sadness in the air, it was truly a beautiful and humbling experience. Dedicated not only to all those directly and indirectly affected by the nuclear bomb, but also to peace itself, the Peace Memorial Park is, if anything, a reminder of the incredible human spirit.

While I won't publish any photographs taken at the Peace Memorial Park (and instead share with you an outfit worn in the thriving, modern Hiroshima city), I will leave you with a quote that you can find at the Bell of Peace, which touched me more than I can express.

"We dedicate this bell
As a symbol of Hiroshima Aspiration
Let all nuclear arms and wars be gone,
and the nations live in true peace.
May it ring to all corners of the earth
to meet the ear of every man,
for it to throb and palpitate
the hearts of its peace-loving donors,
So may you, too, friends,
step forward, and toll this bell for peace."

Outfit of the day:
Kiara KingPersonal Style2 Comments