Touching moments, lifelong memories

Although my hostel has been a place where people come and go -- it seems like I have a new roommate each day! -- I have already forged memories that will last a lifetime. Of course, you all know about the Cali krew (what a cool group of guys), but I don't think I've mentioned a few others.

One noteable person was a guy from Argentina. His name is Carlos and he is both a Biology teacher and a kendo player. If you aren't familiar with the sport, kendo involves the use of sticks and body shots, where the neck area will gain you more points. Of course, the player with the most points wins. It's an interesting adaptation from the days of the samurai, though I never got too excited about the sport.

Back to Carlos, he in someway reminded me of the main character in the movie "L'Auberge Espanole." Then again, he offered something more. Mind you, his English was very limited, and I have to brag here, we spoke mostly in Spanish; though greatly limited, I was glad to see that I could still hold a conversation. Carlos told me about his sister and brother, the difference between Argentinian rice and Japanese rice, and an Argentinian tea called "matte." Not to make any effort to write out a romantic novel, Carlos spoke about the times in which he would enjoy matte with his "novia" (girlfriend) under cherry blossoms near a river in Argentina; I think near a city called "Corrientes."

I also met a very nice German guy who really put me in my tracks when it came to traveling. At age 26, he has already been to Australia, New Zealand, China, Brazil, Egypt, most of Europe, and now Japan. Wow. Tuzi, you and I have some catching up to do on traveling!

In between these people, I have met more Aussies than ever before in my life, Japanese people of all sizes and shapes and even Mexicans. Viva Mexico and Texas!

Among the Japanese, I will always remember the encounters I had at Sensoji temple. It really has become a sacred place to me -- I've already made offerings for Valdo, Lily, Marc, Alma and Tony, Brian and Eileen, Tim and Cindy, and more. Really, don't think I'm giving my entire money away, anything below 10 yen (such as 1 and 5 yen) is useles in Japan.

That's the inside of the temple. Here is where Marc and I meet up each day after he finishes working:

It is a place where you can see a lot of beauty, both in the children, and in the family interaction.

Of the many children, two of them made quite an impression on me. I'm not trying to be overdramatic or a sap about this, but it really moves me when I remember it. One of the girls was about half my height, had glasses and was very sweet to me. She, through her parent's encouragement, approached me as I waited for Marcus. She spoke several phrases of English, asking me "What is your name?" and "Where are you from?" Following her was her younger sister, a little girl of maybe 3. She asked some of the questions, with my responding in what little I could in Japanese.

I can say that already my decision to experience Japan and China has been very rewarding. I hope that I can offer these people something very special, just as you all have offered me back home. Thank you Brian and Eileen, Liz, Valdo, Tony and Alma, Cindy and Tim, Vinnie, Jason, Charlie, Doug, Josh, Kellie, Alicia and Steve, my baby Lily, Aaron, Steven and Anthony, Derek and Andrew, Sofi and Ray, and everyone else who has been so good to me in my life.

I love you all,

Maike