the good and bad

[John A Stuart]

Hi All, Well, I'm wrapping up my Japan trip now. 4 more days only. I have been fairly frugal and have resisted buying much, a new aquisition taking most of my funds. A lacquer 'kushi' for my daughter and books for the most part. It was a treat to meet some of the people on this board and others that I know via correspondence that were here for the convention etc. So frugality aside, today I made reservations in Tokyo to be near Narita. I know weekends can be perilous and Tokyo expensive but Kamakura, Yokohama and others places nearby were booked solid for Saturday. Except one hotel. The Mandarin. One room on that day was 69.000 yen!!! I had no choice. Just to lay my head down!!! Is there something special about this weekend or am I just between a rock and a hard place? Andreas mentioned he was at the Sano Art Museum. I wonder if he had as much trouble as I in finding it. After walking a mile past and backtracking I met a woman I asked for directions. No English and my Japanese, well!. Anyhow she saw me still missing the entrance way and chased me down on her bike. She parked and led me afoot to the museum where she tore a ticket from a packet she had giving me entrance to the museum. It is these kinds of kindness that can wipe away frustration and make traveling an amazing thing. I do not know her name and will never meet her again, but, I wish her well. John