Meeting my Relatives in Japan
I looked up my notes from my trip in 2013 to plan a trip to Japan in the spring of 2020 before the Summer Olympics. I look forward to experiencing the millions that the Japanese government is spending on infrastructure and improvements that will make for a more tourist-friendly experience. Hexagon-shaped stop signs are being installed to replace the triangle-shaped signs that say tomare. Tourist maps are being reprinted and symbols replaced. English names are being added to Japanese street signs in many of the larger cities.
I stayed at the Wing Hotel International in Miyakonojo with my Texan cousin from March 28 through April 2. We had only met each other once or twice in our childhood and neither of us spoke Japanese, although I understood quite a bit of conversational Japanese. We wanted to meet our aunt, but by then she had dementia and didn’t recognize us. We met our five cousins and managed to communicate through iPhone translations, the computer and charades. We talked about Miyazaki beef and Nobutaka, my cousin Yuriko’s husband, typed in beef in Japanese on his iPhone and it came back “two mouths”. My cousin, Mary Ann, then imitated a cow with horns. It was hilarious and obvious she knew cows! We learned about their jobs and their families. They couldn’t have been more hospitable and endearing. The cherry blossoms were in full bloom and everywhere we went, the backdrop consisted of gentle shades of pink. I asked about cherry blossom tea and the next day Nobutaka’s sister presented me with a small gift tin of the tea. My cousin had asked about a sake she had tasted before and sure enough, it had been purchased and presented to her the next day.
I met my two cousins in Hiroshima and had an unforgettable experience at Miyajima Island. Tamami had been a piano teacher and her brother, an architect.
I had been to Japan in around 1974 with my ex-husband. I wasn’t very observant then as I had two young sons in tow and mostly remember the narrow streets in Himeji, the wonderful aroma of yakisoba and oden coming from food vendors, and a public bath we went to with his family. Now 40 years later, I wanted to say thank you to my former in-laws in Himeji. We met at the train station and they took me to see Himeji Castle, a wonderful place being reconstructed. We had lunch at a department store and we separated on pleasant terms. When they visit San Francisco where my ex-husband now lives, I hope I will be able to see them again.
I saw many places of interest, but realized that I am blessed with all the people I met who are my family.