July 20, 2001 Evening

The only time Yoshi and Ms. Yamada got their wires crosses was tonight...Ms. Yamada had told me last night that she would call between 3 and 4 this afternoon (apparently she did but the call was sent to the wrong room because I was waiting for it in mine), so when Yoshi called inviting me to her home I assumed that they had visited. Then, about the time I got ready to leave for Yoshi`s, Ms. Yamada called!

But, it all worked out great. Yoshi picked me up, made a mysterious stop, and then we went to her house where I watched a video that her husband’s school had put together for their wedding. It showed both of them from babies until a week before their marriage. Yoshi`s husband was All-Japan in marathon running, and Yoshi is/was a singer and pianist, so you can imagine the theme of the video - very cute!

Yoshi and I then went to Ms. Yamada`s house for a while, then Ms. Yamada, her husband, Yoshi and I went to a steak house for a birthday dinner. It was the first time Yoshi had met Yamada-san, and they discovered that they had mutual friends! It was a lovely dinner and Yamada-san is a very kind man.

Yoshi and I then went back to her house where her husband joined us. It was his idea to get me a birthday cake - strawberry shortcake with a big chocolate heart that said `Happy Birthday Jamie` on it! We sat around and visited (Yoshi interpreted) about their wanting to come to the US for a visit - I suggested he run in the Tulsa Run so I’ve promised to check on that for them.

When we left Yoshi`s, her husband gave me a hug (unusual for Japanese) and made me promise to come back soon, and I made him promise to visit as well. He stood in the road and waved as we drove away - Yoshi says he doesn’t even do that for her! He’s also a very kind man!

Yoshi just dropped me off (its almost midnight) and will pick me up tomorrow. She came in to meet the young and very sweet night watchman who has learned some basic English while I’ve been here. There are two young men and one older one who serve as night watchmen. Today, I pre-checked out of the guesthouse and said goodbye to the two clerks who have helped me so much. I gave them a present of cookies, and they were thrilled. They had me sign the guest book and took my picture in front of the building.

It may be true that foreign guests are treated differently then those that live here, but I believe that this area is very kind to everyone, no matter where they are from. Everyone has been very sweet, considerate, and caring towards me while I’ve been here, and I hope I get to come back again soon.