Nagasaki Part 3

Nagasaki, where the 2nd atomic bomb was dropped.



Charming Nagasaki, its quaint streets and European influenced architecture has been the port du jour for centuries, a melting pot of culture and history.



Nagasaki, the 'birthplace' of Christianity in Japan as well, where the missionaries first landed and started their ministries, and where many many churches were founded



Nagasaki, the urban city embraced by 3 mountain ranges, was not the primary target on August 9th. It was the industrial weapons-manufacturing city of Kokura, but because it was obscured by smoke cover (army guys should know this), the Americans switched to Nagasaki. At first it was cloudy and the mission was about to be aborted when the clouds parted for 30 seconds, and the Americans dropped the bomb that ended WWII.



With that, the most lethal weapons ever devised in the history of mankind has been unleashed. I am not going to go into the debate whether the Japs deserved it or not, its not going to do any good. Here in classes with Koreans, Japanese and Chinese students and debating the issue of comfort women and history textbooks has shown me the wisdom of restraint. We all have to move forward but somehow not everyone shares that view.




Anyway, visited the Atomic Bomb museum. Witnessing human suffering is just painful. I spied more than a few people shedding silent tears.



This is a replica of what was left of Urakami Cathedral, formerly the largest church in the orient. Were there people praying inside when it hit? Perhaps. Nagasaki, the `sacrificial lamb` of Japan.



Walking in sombred silence. At the memorial park, with the statue of peace in the background.



Evil and good are correlated. Without the horrors of war, people would never understand the true value of peace. My perceptions have been much altered after that day.