Stonewalk Japan 2005 - Press Article

Things are going along well except that I broke a toe. Since I am unable to walk, I am in Hiroshima getting my foot looked after and trying to do some emailing. (Getting online has been a problem.)

It is very sad to have been unable to finish the walk after coming this far. Ahhh well, stuff happens and relative to some things in life, this is minor.

We have had plenty of pullers .... teachers with their classes appeared on a road in the middle of rice fields, Catholic nuns blessed our journey and joined us for a bit, students came after school, people came off the street, as did families with children who pulled for a while and then rode in the caisson, falling asleep in the heat, Sri Lankan monks walked chanted and brought us food,.... and people keep coming back .... no surprise!!!! Many people come to the Stone and are visibly moved. Fortunately we have been able to translate much of what we each say. Yoko Watkins is a prize as she smilingly translates for us non-stop! Occasionally she is given a break when we have others join us who speak English (an Irish ex-patriot, a Canadian, a Welsh artist, and of course all the Never Again Campaign members).

We have stayed in Episcopal churches, "Japanese Protestant" churches, tonight a " bike center"(?), community centers, people's homes, temples of various Buddhist sects, a mountain cabin, and once a posh hot springs hotel.

We stop at 7 Elevens for water, ice drinks and popsicles, and a patch of shade usually every hour. It has been beastly hot and humid. There is a typhoon coming, so I am told, (haven't seen any weather reports for weeks!), which may bring some rain. Walkers will probably welcome squishy shoes again if the temperature drops!

Derrill Bodley was with us for a few days. It was great to have him! His song is a big hit with the Stonewalkers and it will be performed and sung in Japanese and English at the closing ceremomy Aug 4. He flew back to Calif. yesterday.

Bob and Helen McIlvain are in Japan and will join the Stone today, so there will be a Peaceful Tomorrow presence there again. His sister Susan and her daughter arrive the 27th, as will Margo Roman and Dahlia (we think, as haven't heard from them). Jack and Andrew will come the 27th also.

Many of the organizers and participants are planning to come to the closing ceremony, so we expect a crowd!!!! There are places for 100 to stay. There will be Japanese drumming, speeches, and singing.

I will read the Peaceful Tomorrows letter of atonement at the closing ceremony. A Mr. Ebine will read a letter from the Japanese people apologizing to the Koreans (and Chinese too, I think). I so hoped this would happen! Many people are talking about wanting the Stone to go to Korea next!!!!!!!

We have had a great deal of press and TV coverage all along the way. Hiroshima TV is coming for an interview this AM. I am sure as Aug 6 approaches we will be inundated!