1985/7 Japan

Kyoto, Karafuneya Coffee House
19 October 1986, Sunday evening
Received 30.10.86

Greetings! There is a distinct chill in the air tonight. Winter approaches and my thermal vests are already coming in handy. I have recently developed the early morning routine of showering and cycling down to the local coffee house for coffee and cinnamon toast. And then I sit at their blue and white tiled table on an honest CHAIR with LEGS and everything and write a couple of letters. Today, however, I only got out of bed at 4pm so here I am instead on this chilly Sunday evening.

I spent much of yesterday at an international Ikebana convention. Partly to see the arrangements on display and partly to spend some time with my friend, Tracy, who was working there with our Ikebana teacher, Hiroko.

At 5:30pm I met Amanda – the Australian from the Kyoto Hotel – and her husband, Hideyuki, for an early dinner. Of tiny chicken legs, octopus croquettes, vegetable sosaties. We then sojourned to Pub Africa where Hideyuki turned VERY red after one beer and fell asleep at the table. Amanda eventually took him home leaving me to befriend a young American, Greg, who was thrilled to make the acquaintance of his FIRST South African, and a bi-sexual 36 year old German who cycled through Egypt at the age of 18. Us three took beautiful Swedish Anché in tow and made our way late to a Reggae club called Rub-a-dub. Where we danced and danced and danced. I got home at 4:30am. Worn out and not too sober. Hence the late rising.

One of the rooms at Kato-san’s has been vacated and I have moved my stuff and myself into it. Perfect timing as Michael is due back from China this week.

Tomorrow I take the bullet train to Okayama to discuss the hours and pay of some work I have found there. I worked for Kuzuhara-san a couple of times before. He pays for your transport, puts you up in an hotel overnight and gives you at least ten hours’ work over two days. So things are looking up.

How come no letter from you yet? My phone number is 791 9978. Please phone or write soon.

Lotsaluv
Gail