Once a year...

Instead of Thanksgiving Day, Ginkgo festival is held at the end of November in my hometown. This is the biggest festival in a year in this area, and my house is right in front of the main square. All the stores around here close for weekend and have different kinds of booths. My mom is always in charge of the booths in front of our house. I was selling hot drinks like coffee and tea. And there was a guy from Morocco selling Moroccan hand crafts like house shoes made with goat leather which mom loves. And next to the Moroccan guy, a Korean man was selling several different kinds of Kimchee. And the other side of my booth, there was a whole family members selling "ama-sake" which is made of sake lees but not alcohol and very sweet taste. There are some kids too.

Normally there are not many things to see around this area but only this time of the year, lots of people come to see this festival. From very early morning to after sunset, I play with kids, talk to customers, have some friends visit me, and go out to get special foods for festivals like takoyaki, yakisoba, and oden. I just talk so much all day non-stop. At the end of the day, I get really tired and my throat hurts, but I feel very satisfied. Maybe because talking is good for ones, maybe the festival makes me get high. 

food self-sufficiency

Japan's food self-sufficiency ratio is one of the lowest in the world. This is almost the worst in the top developed countries. It was 73% in 1965 and since then getting only lower and now it came down to about 40%. The main factor I think is the bad condition for farmers.
After the high-growth period of the 1970s, a huge number of farmers moved to cities, and vast area of fields for farming transformed into housing and industrial land. Young manpower is in short and only older workers left. Cheaper food from Asian countries come into Japan, so that safer but expensive domestic products are not welcome really. Young people don't want to be farmers because it's not stylish. Farmers' population keep getting small.

Though Japanese people are now crazy about ECO and organic/natural products, Japan's food mileage is the world highest, adding a large amount of CO2 into the global atmosphere. People in Japan are tend to look at things only you can actually see. But some people start realizing what's underneath it. I want people to get it little deeper and think about it. Why they like organic products. Why ECO is so big now. Not only complain about the U.S. military bases in Japan, but how the food self-sufficiency affect the bases. 

A lazy sunday morning...

What I love is a lazy sunday morning.

Waking up with beautiful sunshine through the big window. Make sure it's sunday in my half-awake head. Realizing I can go back to sleep, smile on my face. Check out my buddy still sleeping next to me peacefully. Replace my head to his shoulder. Pressing myself against his arm. Now he is slowly awaken. Looks at me and smile, then kiss on my forehead.

Spending all morning in bed, snuggling, cuddling, and laughing out loud eventually, happiness is all around us.

When we realize how hungry we are, we finally get out of the bed with agreeable lassitude and go grab some burritos.

What a lovely lazy sunday.

the fact

When I started my high school, I was surprised at the world I didn't know until then.
Since all the kids had grown up in more or less the same environment until junior high, no surprise bigger than whose dad had passed away.
Then I for the first time in my life knew that my normal is not normal to others. There were many forms of family, relationships, personality, and then the ways people think.

And now I am facing, for the second time of my life, how differently people think. How people is getting formed to one being. I don't judge any form of life, or how they were formed. I am just amazed that every single person is formed very uniquely and those who formed very differently get along with well and build this world. Well, its cliche already but I just re-recognized the fact.

...and then a lovely sunny day!

After the storm's gone, it was bright blue sky up there. In Japan, you don't see as much clear sky as in Western Countries due to the humidity. Even when there is the sun out, everything seems to be covered by kind of mist or something. Or in other words, the sunlight come down to the earth through the some kind of filter, so that the whole world looks like in a polaroid picture. I didn't like it when I came back from other countries, but now I see other aspects of this world. As I thought back in NY, the weather has big impact on the people living there. Spain and Italy in brightly sunny and warm days all year round. Serious weather in both summer and winter in NY. High humidity in Japan and Korea. Cold and shorter day-time in winter in Germany. Looooong night in winter in Northern European countires such as Norway and Finland. It's very interesting the interaction between weather and people. And when it comes to me, I have to think about it. How I want to live. How I wanna spend time with soon-to-be my family.

Raining...

A heavy rainy day. I read books in the cold pale room all day. Laying between the warm blankets. Holding a hottie covered by fluffy bear.
I love heavy rainy days. If it's light rain, you would have to be torn between staying home or going out because you know that there's always fun out there. However, if it's heavy, you have no choice but staying home gracefully. With no regrets. Also light rain doesn't make much noise but heavy one has a sense of nostalgia, and I love it.

By the way, when it's light rain, I would go out, personally. Because there is another taste of nostalgia in the steaming world.

oh boy...

It's been only a couple of days since Kanta left here. And I got a first email from India this morning. He seems like got cheated and lost a couple of hundreds dollar already at the Air port. What a eventful start... I know how it's like when you have bad things right after you get to new cities. Sucks. Depressing. You start suspecting everyone around you. I know it's really bad. Good thing about this time is he knows someone in the city and will meet up with him tonight. His friend sure will make him feel better about people there. I mean that's the life there, right? If he will travel around India for more than a month, he has to get used to it. He can't breakdown everytime he is deceived because they are not offended about it, it's a part of life there. It must be hard especially for people like him, nice and never suspicious about anyone, but I want him to be strong enough to deal with it, and I know he knows.

beautifu autumn day isn't necessary a happy day

He has left to India this morning. It will be at least 3 months until he gets back here from this dream trip. We've been talking about this for quite a long time, and I thought I was ready for this, but I wasn't. Some part of me is really hoping that he will enjoy and experience a lot, but some part of me is desperate for coming with him, which was actually the original plan. We have traveled many countries and places together. Those memories are precious treasure to me. Days we spent together in freezing NY. El camino we walked for whole days in Spain. His birthday in Paris. I desperately wish I could come with him this time again and make another special memory together.

Last night, I had bad hyperventilation while I was sleeping next to him. It might be due to unconscious anxiety by him leaving. He covered half of my mouth so that I won't inhale too much, and it did work. It made me breath surprisingly easier. And once my breath was in control, I burst into tears. It all happened in dark and we were both half asleep, so I can't remember exactly what happened in what order, but the feeling I had is still now vividly going around in my mind.

Though I am excited for him and it's a beautiful autumn day, my mind is somewhere not here.

happy memory and her

After long time apart each other, I met up with her for dinner last night. It turned out to be so natural to talk with her even after long time apart. It never seemed like we haven't see each other for almost 5 years. Though we are not students anymore like we met last time, no update for a while, no friends or places to hangout in common anymore, still we feel really close in somewhere core in us.

Fumiko and I went to LA, Las Vegas, and Vancouver together few years ago. That was one of my most favorite trips. It wasn't about where we went or what we did. All I remember is on a huge ferry, feeling strong sunshine and northern wind, we were listening Michael Jackson on one CD player. At the huge museum, getting sleepy, we actually slept on the couch for like an hour. When we realized, it was at sunset and we rush out to the back yard, and watched the beautiful purple sky getting dark between mountains. In the hostel, we met a lovely Swedish girl. We talked. And the next day, she was gone when we woke up, but on the bed, she left us a sweetest letter I have ever read. Fumiko still has that letter. All that memory we made was something not material. Not about where we went or what we did, but something I felt with her. Something so strong feeling that I would never forget. She is always the one who can make people feel that way.

Autumn Sky

I used to love San Francisco in orange color in autumn. I was away from Tokyo too long to remember how it was like in Tokyo at the same time of the year. Here I am. After six years, now I know why all my friends say Tokyo in autumn is so beautiful.

I was on the way back from the flower shop for my mom's half century birthday yesterday. I took the different street from I always take. The street was more like a riverbank path by the small stream. It was about time of sunset. 4:30pm. Clear sky in blue-green/turquoise color. The orange sun light made everything on the earth golden brown. Cosmos flower. Half-turned-red leaves on the half bared trees. Old couples holding their hands. Young man walking a dog. Everything, just everything was perfect. I was riding a bicycle as slow as I could balance, holding a flower bouquet, looking up the beautiful autumn sky as long as I could be blind of people and utility poles coming toward me. When I got back home, sun had just set. What a wonderful day.

always and forever

25th birthday

Quarter of a Century. Sounds like forever, but that's how long I've been living. God, I just can't believe it.
Many thanks for my mom and dad for giving me a birth. Many thanks for my boyfriend for being with me. And many thanks for my lovely friends who congratulate my 25th birthday from all over the world.
My life had never been so unexpected and not-planned before. Now, I only have my body and few clothes and literally that's it. I am very excited about this simple life and about unexpected mind status and spiritual awakening I might get out of this life. More than ever before, this 25th year sure will be eventful and joyful.
I thank the past 25 years and I will enjoy this year ever before. Whatever happens, I have my family, my boyfriend, and wonderful friends who would support me without asking.
Love you all!!

Dekasegi

I was away from home for a month, working at the pension by the Nojiri Lake.
Things there are pretty different from where I grew up.
Perfect ratio of human being and nature.
Reflection of blue sky on the lake.
Vegetables and fruits from Granma's garden.
Kids who know how to "play".
There are of course many problems for country-side such as depopulation, shortage of medical practitioners, strained relationships....
Knowing pros and cons, I hope many will realize this wonderful life in rural area.

One of my dreams is building a town in forest.
Where each family has special ability such as carpentry, farming, poultry farming、sawing, teaching...
Where every parents has great sense of child education, manner and such.
Things in this town is slow and natural.
Weight is always on healthier side in physically and mentally.

I do hope that people will go back to the life closer to the mother earth.

Things I Love

1. I love San Francisco. I wanna go back really bad.
2. Straight tea cookies by Morinaga Afternoon tea. It has real leaves in it and the flavor is just amazing.
3. Net surfing and checking out pretty blogs and photos.
4. I want a poraloid camera for beginners.
5. I wanna go camping.
6. This pretty flower called "luri matsuri" in front of the main door.
7. My basil in a pot. which is growing amazingly quickly.
8. Wide variated breakfast smoothies. yummy...

Germany

で、かんたのパリ着が一週間遅れるということで

急遽、予定になかったドイツのライン川下りをすることに。

近くの町Kolnに着いたのが夕方もう日が落ちてからで、

駅を降りてびーっくり。

駅の目の前に、信じられないような大聖堂が聳え立っている。

今までも行く街で大聖堂はいっぱい見てきた。でも、これは違う。なんか違う。

度肝を抜かれるとはこのことかもしれない、と思う。

夜暗くなってからもう一度見に行ったら、今度はライトアップされてて、真っ黒な空に怖いくらい存在感を出していた。




次の日は待望のライン川下り。

ボートで６時間、ライン川沿いにその昔たくさん作られた古城や要塞の廃墟を眺める。

とにかくゆっくりなライン川。

そして見えてくるのは数え切れないほどのラピュタ城！

宮崎駿さん、間違いなくここからアイディアを得ています。

だって本当にそのもの。

小高い丘がライン川を挟み、その斜面がすごく急で、崖のようになっているのだが、

そこに建てられた古城は、完全にグリム童話かラピュタの城。

おとぎ話のような気分で６時間、着くともう暗くなっていて、そこからまだ２本の電車とバスがある。

ホテルも決まってなく、アントワープで怖い思いをしただけに、不安感は募るのみ。

でも、ポリスも含めいろんな人の助けを借りて、なんとか夜中前には着きました。

行きは夜中で何も見えなかったけど、朝起きてみるとすごく素敵な公園のど真ん中にあり、思い荷物を背負って３Kmくらいの道を駅まで歩きました。

すごく気持ちのいい朝で、口笛吹けないけど吹いてる気分で、花を見ながらのんびり散歩気分。



で、今フランクフルトにいます。

ホステルで会った日本人の女の子と３人、

それぞれバックグラウンドは全然違うけど結構気が合って、一人旅仲間同士、ドイツ料理を食べに行く。

白アスパラガスのスープ、ソーセージの盛り合わせ、ドイツ風ピザ、そしてドイツの黒ビール。

もう全部おいしくて幸せいっぱい、楽しい夜を過ごす。

次の日の朝は朝で、日本人の男の子とオーストラリア人と仲良くなり朝ごはんを２時間もかけて堪能。笑

ほんの一瞬の時間をその場で会った人と共有すること。

楽しい時間を過ごすこと。

結局それの積み重ねが、生きることなんだろうなー。

Belgium

ベルギーと言えば

チョコレート！ワッフル！フレンチフライ！

まさに朝からバターにチョコレートをかけた食パンを食べる。

お昼はフレンチフライにオニオンマヨネーズをつけたもの。

おやつは生クリームがごっそり乗ったワッフルとホットチョコレート。

夜は・・・またフレンチフライ。

それが毎日なので。そりゃ太る。

でもそんな気分も吹き飛ばしてくれるような、ゆったりした街の雰囲気。

古城と石畳と運河が取り巻く、まさに中世をそのまま持ってきたようなブルージュの街。

運河沿いの芝生には黄色と白の小花が咲き乱れて、春を思わせる最高の季節。

首都であるブリュッセルでは、案外しょぼい小便小僧にがっかり。

フランダースの犬がいるはずのアントワープでは超怖い思いをし、ものすごく落ち込む。



なにせよかったのが　Black and white Silent film with live piano music!!!

まさにヨーロッパだねって、かんたに言われました。

そのTheaterで声を掛けて来た受付のお兄さん。

ベルギーで日本語の勉強をしてるんだとか。

オランダ語、フランス語、英語を流暢にしゃべる彼は

ちょっとShy boyでヒップスターな感じのとってもいい兄ちゃんでした。

Amsterdam, Holland

いろいろあるもんですね。

アムステルダム。

着いて最初に目がついたお店がコンドームのお店。

きりんさんも好きです。でも、ゾウさんのほうが、もーーーーーっと好きです。

な、お店。

窓の内側では、ピンクのライトを浴びて、服を着てるのか着てないのか分からない金髪のおねえさんがくねくれ誘惑してくる。

カフェの名前が

Nasty cafe

だったり

Naked coffee

だったり。

ホステルの夜は、草で完全パラッパーなドームメートのスペイン人、フランシスコ

ものすごく落ち着いたアルゼンチン人、アリス

夜中までいろんな話をする。



そんなアムステルダム、お日様の差す昼間は

小さなかわいい町を小運河が網羅していて

運河沿いに並ぶ若葉をつけた樹が、とっても素敵。



そして、アンネフランクの秘密の隠れ家。

ドイツから非難してきたフランク一家が、ナチス軍に見つかるまで２年間過ごした

本棚の裏に続く部屋に入ってきました。

重く黒いカーテンで完全にさえぎられた窓。

数分いただけでも、その閉塞感に息苦しさを感じる。

彼女とその姉が壁につけた、身長の成長記録。

彼女の部屋から下に続く急な階段を見たとき、彼女はどいうモノを背負いながら同じ階段を毎日見ていたんだろうと考えると

背筋が凍るような寒気を感じた。

それだけでも、オランダまで来た価値はあると思える重さだった。

意味と目的

旅行中です。

最近、意味を求めると逆に見えなくなってしまうモノがある事を知る。

目標や目的を持ち、意味を求める事をやめたら

もっと色々見えてくるはずだ。

ロンドーーーーン！

とゆーわけで、ロンドンに居ます。

８年ぶりに会ったよしぴーの、ハイジの秘密屋根裏部屋で

でーーっかい天窓から見える教会とロンドンの街を楽しんでいます。

よしぴーは相変わらず素敵でハイジ。

高校卒業以来の８年を埋め合わせようとするように、

歩きながら、食べながら、部屋でのんびりしながら

私たちはずーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーっとしゃべってる。

今回は、ロンドン観光も目的だったけど

高校一年生の時の大好きな先輩で、卒業後数少ない同じ道をたどった人として

よしぴーと話せる事がなによりの楽しみでした。

で、やっぱり楽しい。

よしぴーの笑顔はすごいんだ。

アルゼンチンそしてその後

アルゼンチンに滞在すること1ヶ月。

帰ってきたNYは、そりゃもう素敵な国に見える。

散々悪口言ってごめんね、アメリカ。



一週間という限られた時間をNYでかんたと過ごし、また私は旅に出る。

旅の目的。

目的は、私にはいらない。

それが今回の旅の目的。

目に入るもの、何でも貪欲に見て感じてこよう。




かんたに、プロポーズ宣言された。

宣言だから、まだ本番ではないから、事前告知。

今すぐには無理だけど、旅行から帰って生活が落ち着いたら

そろそろいいかなって、思うようになってた。

私にもついにこの日が来たんだ。