長いと思っていた2週間の日本滞在も終盤。今回は、マイハニー抜きで一人旅だったこともあり、ずいぶんとリラックスして日本に向き合えた。
思えば日本を離れて以来、こんなにくつろいだ滞在は初めてのことだった。締めくくるにはまだ早いが、ともあれ、本当によい時間を過ごしている。
今日は母と妹と3人で、人気餃子の店へ。鉄なべ餃子という名物らしい。
上海で昔食べて感動した、たこ焼きのような形状の蒸し焼き餃子を思い出す。
あれはまた、巨大な鉄鍋にびっしりと餃子を詰め込んで焼いたものだった。
博多名物のそれは、おいしいけれど、全体に柔らか過ぎた。
わたしはどちらかと言えば歯ごたえのある方が好みである。
しかし、それはそれでおいしかった。
しかし、なぜそんなに名物なのかは、今ひとつよくわからなかった。
と言いながら、よく食べた。ところで今回もまた、「とんこつラーメン」を食べ損ねてしまいそうだ。あと、「モスバーガー」も食べてみたかったが、これも難しそうだ。
というか、この2週間というもの、連日食べ過ぎ&飲み過ぎ!!
「増量を気にせず」などと言っている場合でなく、目に見えて大増量だ。その後の軌道修正が厳しくなること間違いなし。インドに戻ったら、蒸し暑いだのなんだのとつべこべ言わず、ちゃんと毎日ヨガをやろう。
と、ここに、さりげなく宣言して自らを鼓舞する。
食事の後は、超久々にカラオケへ行った。2年半ぶりか。気のせいか、以前よりも肺活量&声量が増した気がする。今まで以上に、マイク不要な気がする。
アーユルヴェーダを意識した、健康的なインドの生活で、基礎体力が増したのかもしれない。力一杯熱唱を繰り返して、ずいぶんとすっきりした。
ところで上の写真は、月曜日の講演会のあと、服飾デザイン科のクラスを訪問した時のもの。同窓会の担当の方が撮影したものを送ってくださった。
生徒たちは、さすがにテキスタイルに対する興味が深く、みな真剣に素材の裏表を確認していた。サリーを着ていった甲斐があるというものである。
It was extremely exciting and wonderful evening last night. One of my friends organized the high school reunion party for me. Over 20 friends got together and shared the enjoyable moment.
When I was a student, I was belonging to the basketball club. One of the team mates was a pretty close friend for me, but we didn't have a chance to meet since our graduations. During high school days, she was a really sensitive girl, and once she faced with a difficulty to continue the school life. At the time, I really worried about her, but I couldn't ask the reason why she was in such a deep pain. When I found her in the corridor of the school after her long absence, I was really relieved and happy.
While I was talking to her last night, I vividly remembered at that time. She is a mother of four children right now! And the oldest is 20 years old!! I couldn't believe the passage of time. We shared many experience together. I was amazed that throughout the time, we could return the moment when we were together.
One of my classmates her name is Miki was also quite close to me. See the photos which I put yesterday. The girl who is wearing black Kimono (traditional clothing of Japan) is herself. The photo was taken by my father when we were 20 years old. It was the day of "coming-of-age ceremony".
I also hadn't meet her since around the time. She is as beautiful as ever. The cheerful style about her was just like old times.
Anyway,almost 5 hours, we were talking, drinking, and eating.... It was amazing moment to share the time with old friends. Everyone was in good shape and cheerful.
Soon after graduation, I left my hometown Fukuoka, and sifted to Shimonoseki, Tokyo, New York, Washington, D.C. California, India.
My mind, all the time, faced outward and I avoided to feel nostalgia. I have a love-hate relationship with my hometown and my motherland. I still can't digest well my own emotion.
Anyway, for the first time in a quarter-century, I recognized my own grass roots, and reflected on where we've been and where we're going.
It was the great opportunity to come back here in this time. I really appreciate the situation which I am in. I'd like to thank go to everyone who are the people around me!