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Dreamcatcher__ 87M
744 posts
12/10/2017 7:08 pm

Last Read:
10/11/2023 9:06 pm

Back From Japan, Tracking Down My Past

I spent two weeks in Japan recently. Apologies for not keeping in touch.
Communication was somewhat limited. I was unexpectedly able to fairly easily track down a dear lady friend whose business establishment was once my base of operations in the Ginza. I am pleased to report that the place is doing a land-office business with a staff of ten lovelies whose sole purpose was to uphold japan's reputation for discrete satisfaction of every desire. I unfortunately did not unlimber my camera in the establishment, but one of the delightful young creatures did take my photo with the mama san.



Dreamcatcher__ 87M
7019 posts
8/8/2018 9:12 pm

    Quoting  :

I'm giving Japan another go starting August 13. Probably my last visit. Mostly off the beaten track. A full month this time. If I don't survive, I will you my sense of adventure, Doc. If I do, I'll probably will it to you anyhow.


Dreamcatcher__ 87M
7019 posts
12/16/2017 7:19 pm

    Quoting  :

Fuji is not noted for having ruins or even notable temples or shrines in its vicinity. The ancient imperial shrine is further south, at Ise. The area does attract some odd cults which try to borrow from the mountain's majesty,
but it is most noted for the proliferation of hot springs resorts and the majestic views of the sacred mountain which dominate the approach from every side.


Dreamcatcher__ 87M
7019 posts
12/16/2017 8:07 am

    Quoting  :

I tried to post a few touristy pics here for you, but Alt. apparently decided I had used up my quota. I would probably have been quite satisfied not to see the light of day for two weeks, since that was my custom for much of the time I lived in Japan. Fortunately my profession allowed me to park anywhere I wanted to, so the midnight closing of the subway system wasn't a hinderance.

Sub nouveau is very perceptive, isn't she?


Dreamcatcher__ 87M
7019 posts
12/14/2017 6:51 pm

    Quoting SylviaSoulier:
    It looks fresh and discreet and elegant!

    The water bottles are a good touch - hydration is important.

    I visited Japan once 16 years ago - my father was lecturing at the TIT and he stayed in a tiny apartment with a view of Mount Fuji from the end of the balcony. We touristed through the autumn colour and I fell in love with everything I saw and everyone I met.

    Japan is the one country that I have visited where I felt a sense of complete otherness - everything was so entirely different and brighter than anything that I had experienced before. The trains arriving exactly on time, schoolchildren and grandmothers appearing beside us to help us find our way, department store displays like film sets.

    Happy sigh - thank you for the memory DC 🙏🏻
It is a very nice establishment. I introduced a fellow who later became Prime Minister to the place when I was working in Japan, though I gather he hasn't been around much lately. I lived in Kamakura for a year while studying Japanese and had a lovely view of Fuji from my upstairs windows. It's probably the most magnificent view in the world.

I recently found a quote from Albert Einstein about the Japanese that I thought captured them well. "Of all the people I have met, I like the Japanese most, as they are modest, intelligent, considerate, and have a feel for art."
[image]


Dreamcatcher__ 87M
7019 posts
12/14/2017 6:23 pm

    Quoting drmgirl622:
    Such a beautiful place........old habits never do die, do they
The trick is to get away from the crowds so you can enjoy the beauty. If you mean you can't teach an old dog new tricks... I did manage to embarrass myself with my rusty Japanese, though I finally got a good bit of it unlimbered after a few days.


Dreamcatcher__ 87M
7019 posts
12/14/2017 6:13 pm

    Quoting  :

The trip was good, though a bit disjointed. My friends all assured me that the mama-san was no longer in business, which threw me off the trail.
I decided to go to the last address I had for her and in less than twenty minutes I was guided to her new, more-luxurious establishment by a lovely young thing in a bright red dress and matching lipstick.

I've seen to it that my inept friends have been properly chastised for spreading false information.

I sent you an email about travel in Japan. Hope it's useful.


Dreamcatcher__ 87M
7019 posts
12/14/2017 6:03 pm

    Quoting  :

I did notice the mama-san tugging me into position for the photograph (at least I think that was why she was tugging). It was just like old times to be back home in my favorite Ginza club. She invited me back to speak at her big anniversary celebration at the Imperial Hotel next May. I suppose I'll have to go. The Japanese put great stock in these events.


drmgirl622 68F  
25881 posts
12/11/2017 2:10 am

Such a beautiful place........old habits never do die, do they


SylviaSoulier 58F
8209 posts
12/11/2017 1:51 am

It looks fresh and discreet and elegant!

The water bottles are a good touch - hydration is important.

I visited Japan once 16 years ago - my father was lecturing at the TIT and he stayed in a tiny apartment with a view of Mount Fuji from the end of the balcony. We touristed through the autumn colour and I fell in love with everything I saw and everyone I met.

Japan is the one country that I have visited where I felt a sense of complete otherness - everything was so entirely different and brighter than anything that I had experienced before. The trains arriving exactly on time, schoolchildren and grandmothers appearing beside us to help us find our way, department store displays like film sets.

Happy sigh - thank you for the memory DC 🙏🏻


Dreamcatcher__ 87M
7019 posts
12/10/2017 7:14 pm

The accompanying photo was sent to me later and gives a small idea of the nature of the lounge area.

[image]



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