MY TRIP TO JAPAN, OCTOBER, 2001

By: Dixie Hughes

Friday/Saturday - Oct.12-13

Well, after months of planning, I’m finally off. Between fears of hijackers this last month and Skip’s kidney infection 3 days before departure, it was pretty "iffy" up to the last minute.

I was at the SeaTac airport the required 3 hours early and spent the first hour in lines — first to check luggage and then for security. I was worried they would object to my knitting needles even though they’re circular and only the tips are metal. Instead they confiscated my little primary scissors — blunt tips and all. Oh well, I suppose I can bite the yarn apart. (and I actually did) There were National Guard guys all over in the security area but other than that the extra security wasn’t too obvious.

This is a 777 with t.v. screens in the back of the seat in front of each passenger. There are 6 different channels — you can watch an old Gary Cooper movie or several more modern choices. I lucked out and get to sit by myself over 2 seats — and for an 11 hour flight, I’m very glad! The stewardess announced it is 4769 miles between Seattle and Tokyo. I am on the right side of the plane and have a great view of the white Alaskan mountains as we fly by. (The people on the other side of the plane all have their blinds closed because of the sun glare). I didn’t realize we went so far north on this route. We actually fly pretty much along the coast of Canada, Alaska, and Siberia to get to Japan. Memorable moments — watching our plane’s shadow skimming across the fishing boats on the water near Tokyo and then the shadow finally catches up and joins us as we land.

I survived the flight — The area around the airport is very flat. I had a bit of trouble getting through immigration because I didn’t know the address of my destination so I left that space blank on the required form. The fellow behind the desk didn’t know enough English to explain to and he definitely wanted the space filled in. I finally just wrote Kaori’s name in the blank and he was satisfied. Probably because he didn’t know what it said.

Got through customs — they didn’t even open my bags — and looked for Kaori. I couldn’t see her so I went to the information booth and had her paged. She came running up and we were very glad to see each other again.

Kaori says her father is retired from insurance business and mostly gardens now while her mother still helps teach nursing. They live in a small house next to the large house they raised their 5 children in. So Kaori and her children come to visit and can stay in the larger house — me, too — which is usually empty I have the dreaded difficulty of sitting on the floor (fantastic tatami mats in most rooms), but I managed to get down and up without making a complete spectacle of myself. Kaori’s mother fixed us an excellent dinner of tempura fried vegetables and squid and pork. It was very good but I’m not very good with chopsticks — Kaori’s five-year-old outdoes me easily. The big table in their dining room is the cross-cut of a giant tree — fantastic!

Beautiful table cut from one piece of wood

I took a shower and went to bed — futon — early. The rooms are separated with shoji screens that are not soundproof, but they sure are pretty. It was a very long day. But of course, that means I wake up way too early — which gives me time to catch up on my typing.

Sunday - Oct 14

Today was also very long — probably because I first got up at 4, back to bed at 5, up again at 6:30 — when I tried to go for a walk the dog decided to bark at me and woke everyone else up. Example of a perfect houseguest. When Kaori and the children woke up, we took the dog for a walk down the road. The dog is named Jon, which is a common dog name here, and is the 4th or 5th Jon that Kaori’s father has had (since she can remember.) Very handy to name every dog you have the same thing.

Azusa and her grandfather, with dog named Jon

Kaori and her mother were fitting an old kimono that was given to Kaori by her grandmother when she was 7, and now that her daughter is going to be 7, she will wear the traditional gown. It is lovely — Kaori’s mother had to show them how to tie/drape the kimono to make it fit.

I enjoyed meeting Kaori's husband Satoro and his mother (who lives with them) after we arrived — a long drive; about 3 hours. Kaori was very nervous driving on the toll road — she doesn’t like narrow high bridges. She would have a terrible time on the Narrows Bridge from Tacoma.) It’s a lovely house but has very steep stairs for those of us with bad knees. At least there is a regular table and chairs, which makes it much easier.

Monday - Oct.15

I slept better last night but still woke up at 4 — jet lag does this. Today Kaori had arranged a visit to the local elementary school with a teacher friend of hers. So after we walked the three oldest to their kindergarten (pre school) she took my large bag to be shipped to the hotel where I will be tomorrow. This is the recommended process around here because it is so hard to take luggage on the trains and subways.

Then we drove to the school.

Recorder performance,

I passed out Mariner banners for each class and Ichiro key chains for each teacher, and a Mariner sticker for each student — That was a huge success! We held up the banners and many little voices said "Ichiro" all at once. It was cool.

Anyway, I ended by doing the mountain song, which they seemed to like a lot, and they sang their school song. In spite of so many wanting to shake my hand and get an autograph afterwards, we had a blast. (I did, anyway). Many of the travel books I read said not to shake hands because the Japanese do not like to be touched — these kids hadn't read the books! My hand was almost sore by the time we got out. So much for bowing.

(Like the travel book that gave me a phrase I had memorized for "where’s the bathroom" and when I said it for Kaori she came unglued — it is not an appropriate term for a lady to use. I think it’s a dirty word??? Anyway, she gave me another phrase to use — but of course, I haven’t memorized it as well as the other one.)

This afternoon was ballet lesson for Kaori’s daughter,------. About 20 little girls of 6 or 7 doing barre and other exercises in colorful little tutu type leos — they were darling. Interesting that the music they danced to were all American folk tunes and show tunes.

Ballet class for 6 year olds

I called Skip tonight — 10:00 p.m. here is 6:00 a.m. at home. He is feeling much better but is still on medication for 2 more weeks.

**************************************************************

Return to Dixie's Tour Menu