The first person to visit me from far away countries was my dear Elba from Mexico, my other half... my better half, as some would put it. I went down to Tokyo to meet her, under the huge lantern in front of the famous temple in Asakusa. Unfortunately, as it turned out, there was more than one huge lantern in the area, so it took a few minutes until the smarter one of us figured out where to find -me. We spent the next two days visiting important places, such as the National Museum and the gardens outside the imperial palace, and going shopping in the crazier parts of town, such as Harajuku and Shimokita.
We got into Shiojiri late Monday evening, and since I had to work the next days, we didn't do too much. Instead we were looking forward to the weekend, for which I had planned a lovely hike up Takabochi, and an excursion to see Matsumoto... maybe even Kiso. On Saturday I could organize a bike for her, so we took the opportunity to visit the Jomon site in Hiraide before I had to teach my first class.
Hiraide was a full success. Elba loved the museum, the Jomon houses, and enjoyed riding my bike down the hills. Unfortunately, as life with her cruel irony wants it, on the way back home she had an accident. We were going under a railroad bridge, and she tried to cross from the street to the sidewalk painted in bright yellow, hitting the curb and having a hard fall onto the pavement. As it turns out, all this happened in front of the house of a chiropractic doctor, who immediately took care of her. Both of her palms were stripped off the skin, she had a nasty bruise on her hip, and a pain in her elbow and ankle. We made it back home, where she collapsed on the couch from pain and exhaustion.
Needless to say, the hike to Takabochi was canceled. But with her ankle, even Matsumoto was no option. I went out to find the strongest pain killers on the over-the-counter market, and whatever else I could find for bruises, tendons, muscles, etc. It was a relief to see that she was
getting better with each day. Throughout the following days our walks got longer and longer. However, it was not so much the touristy attractions that attracted us anyway, so staying in didn't bother us so much.
Eventually, however, wanted to get out, and Elba's foot was doing better too, we decided to go to Matsumoto on Sunday, when my friend Dozi was supposed to arrive. To be exact, he was supposed to arrive a day later, on Monday, but due to the time difference he managed to lose a day, having to leave his hostel a day early. Never mind, we were gonna pick him up after our walk in Matsumoto. It was lovely to go for a walk again, through the streets of gorgeous Matsumoto, into the castle of the crows, then down touristy frog-street. On the way back to the station we went shopping once again for a cute top-sort of thing, before catching the train to Shiojiri, where Dozi was waiting for us.
Dozi is one of my oldest friends. We went to school together, and later to various hitchhiking trips all around Europe. So coming to Japan meant a certain challenge: we had to top all the previous experiences. But before we could embark on adventures marked by madness, I had to consider my priority, who was enjoying her last days with me. I decided that a trip to Kiso Narai was going to be the best place for both of my visitors. Indeed it was. We went to buy many lacquer ware items, and other nice gifts. We enjoyed the rain from an old fashioned café, and took the train back to Shiojiri in time for my class at night.
For the last night together I organized an outing to the local Okonomi-yaki place, where you have to cook your own food on the hot-plate set into the tables. It was an experience for all of us. Very tasty, very enjoyable. My boss Takashi, and his brother Naoki helped us prepare the food in its proper way. Eventually we went to a nearby isakaya for a few more drinks and smokes. Finally we went home and stayed up until late in the morning when the taxi came to pick up Elba and take her to the airport, far away from me. And I didn't do anything to stop it! I still can't forgive myself....
