My fondest days are my Japan days. I just love this country and its people. Some became my friends for life. There is Kenji, a colleague who also became my guide to Tokyo, the Kishida family from Nagano who knocked on our apatoo door by mistake, but ended up inviting us (Cielo and I) for tea. There is Kaoru who showed me what a wonderful life it is to have dogs as part of the family.
One who stoods out though, is not even a Japanese, but a French native who holds an Australian passport but has lived for more than 15 years in Japan. He has a perpetually curious mind that can be infectious. Alas, you'd wish it stays with you, but that trait has been developed his entire life. I asked him ," What happened? Why are you here in Japan? And what is that bit about Australia, and your country, why leave it?" I must admit it was a question posed by a young person, a bit tactless but nonetheless appreciated for its sincerity.
He was amused, and told me how at 16, he packed his bags from France, circled the world and ended up in Australia. I asked more questions. " At 16, I have been taking care of my sick mother and brother, one after the other. After my mother died, and my brother got settled someplace, I was so exhausted at such a young age, I decided to find my own space. I packed my bag, and with a little money, went around the world. I have even been to the Philippines, in places you've probably never been to (he was right at that time). Anyway, I ended up in Australia and started teaching there. That is also where I earned my doctorate degree. I got invited to teach in Japan and decided to stay. And here I am."
"Why Japan?" ,
" It is convenient; the country has four seasons. It is beautiful here, people are kind, and especially kind to old people." Over sashimi, coffee, tea, Half and Half beers, I heard stories of old Europe, where engineers do not get paid in old Croatia for months so they had to work elsewhere, of crazy "road trips" ending up in Switzerland, of Yakuza men, Filipinas in Tokyo, and how hard it is for gaijins to own a restaurant in Tokyo.
I remember how he came to my rescue on one sad day. He has touched my heart, and rekindled my spirit. I stood, like many heroines in a movie (Before Sunrise? Lost in Translation?) at the train station with him holding my hand telling me it is going to be all right. Before we went our separate ways, he kissed my hand.
I left Tokyo shortly after that.
Photo taken by Christian Cheneux.
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