Package from Japan -- via Norway with gifts



Dear citizens of the world!

The tumultuous events of the past month have kept me away from my blog. Most notably, the earthquake in Japan kept me glued to the screens.

Seeing the videos and hearing people's accounts of the quake brought back memories of the 7.6 earthquake I experienced in Taiwan; the feeling of fear that comes from "surfing" a strong earthquake that suddenly grows violent, the 30 seconds that turn into weeks and months, the stories of people surviving after eight days....

What most don't realize is that the tremors continue for weeks and months. After three months of motions sickness from 3,000 aftershocks I was happy to "get off of" Taiwan and onto solid ground.

Naturally, the Japanese quake lead me to think of my summer vacation in Norway.

What? You say.

I don't have any close friends in Japan, but I immediately thought of this very nice, retired Japanese man I met in Flom, Norway. He only spoke Japanese, not a word of English and he was travelling alone.

Takahashi's route in Japanese and Norwegian

He had this paper with the names of the places he planned to go and pointed to indicate that he wanted to know what time the next bus was to the neighboring village. A couple of tourists were trying to explain (for quite a while) that he would have to wait an hour for the next bus.

I was going to the same place by car (15 minute ride) and offered to drive him. He was very happy and offered money, but I refused. Upon arriving in the village he heaped gifts on me, thanked me profusely and we exchanged contact info.


With the help of google translate we were able to exchange a couple of short emails.

However, a couple months later I received a large package in the mail with gifts (very good Japanese pens), lots of pictures of Norway and the letter below. Unfortunately, I don't read Japanese and it is not digital text so I can't translate it. Anyone who reads Japanese? I would love to hear what is says.




Luckily, Takahashi lives in Southern Japan and he is not affected directly be this earthquake or the aftermath.

Hopefully I will be able to visit Japan one day. Who knows... maybe a Norwegian will give me a ride to the next town.


- The United Statesian

Comments

  1. JANET10:14 PM

    Very interesting blog.

    ReplyDelete
  2. JANET10:15 PM

    Very interesting blog.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Unknown6:02 PM

    From Koji Maruhashi: 14 April at 00:57

    Here is my rough translation :) :
    God dag! I am Masayoshi Takahashi, from Japan. Thank you very much for
    driving me from Flam to Gudvangen on July 22. I was surprised at your
    special kindness (despite I was just a foreigner.) I had a smooth trip
    after that due to your kindness.
    I traveled by myself for 15 days in three Scandinavian countries,
    especially fjords in Norway. I went to Sogne fjord and Geiranger fjord,
    and I had enough of the magnificent, beautiful nature. I took many photos. I was very much satisfied with the extremely beautiful views. I
    had no difficulty in finding photographic subjects because the towns are
    also very pretty and beautiful and everywhere is good for photos.
    If I can visit them again, I want to go to Northern Norway, Nordkapp
    where the sun never sets, and see the aurora over the winter sky, and so
    on.
    Here is my brief introduction. I was born in 1939, and I'm 71 years old.
    I have retired from my work and live on pension. My son is 37 years old,
    and my wife is 71. My daughter has three children, 1.5, 6, and 12 years
    old. My son works for a newspaper office, and lives with me. My hobby is
    traveling, camera, and driving cars, etc. Especially I traveled all over
    the world for 30 years. I'm going to continue to travel as long as I'm
    fine. I send you some photos with this mail.
    Thank you very much again for your kindness. Takk, Adjo!

    MASAYOSHI TAKAHASHI
    2010.8.26, PM 2:10

    ReplyDelete
  4. D. Troy Roach8:04 PM

    Mushi Mushi!
    Thanks a million for the translation!!! That is great? Did your student do it for you?
    That is a great way for the post to come full circle.
    Cool,
    United Statesian

    ReplyDelete
  5. JANET9:03 PM

    That is so nice Stacy that you were able to get the letter translated. He seems like such a nice man.
    Troy I hope you can stay in contact with him.

    ReplyDelete

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