On my last visit I came upon a School Trip by High School students. I didn`t ask where they were from as they were being escorted in a rather militaristic fashion but in perfect unison and very orderly and with quiet aplomb and respect for all the people around them. I would be very surprised if an Australian High School field trip would be as orderly as this one and i would hazard a guess that there would have been quite a bit more yelling and mucking around even in such an important and sombre place.
Nearly every Japanese child from Elementary School to High School has either visited Hiroshima or Nagasaki Peace Parks during their schooling years. The education departments and the schools themselves see it an a rather important part of their schooling and to learn from the pages of Japanese history first hand.
On this recent visit i couldn't help but wonder what these High Schooler`s were feeling inside. Whether they could fully fathom what happened here 70 years ago or whether it was just a normal regular place and they were rather bored and wanted to get this experience over and done with. I am pretty sure the next time I have a change to see and interact with a school trip I will ask some of these pertinent questions.
Please click on the photos below to enlarge:
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| Orderly progression |
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| Japanese discipline |
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| Rememberence |