One Chance in a Lifetime

I saw Toastmaster Kyoko Kawano's parents at Amakusa this afternoon. Kyoko's mother wore a big smile to invite us to join the tea ceremony held at her living room. Kyoko's father gave us a warm welcome after his siesta. I was so happy to see them again that I gave them a big hug.

It was the day of departure. I got up early to pack before I had breakfast at the lobby. It was the sixth consecutive day staying at Room 1021 since last Friday. I was kind of used to the layout and facilities of the room. It was a pleasant home away from home at Toyoko Inn Kumamoto Station.

At 8:30, I finished the check out procedures and left my luggage behind the counter. Toastmaster Kyoko Kawano and Teiko Uemura came to pick me up at 8:45 and we went straight to Amakusa.

Amakusa is a remote city, at the far west region of Kyushu. Amakusa was one of the areas where Christian settlers arrived in Japan. Amakusa is famous for cathedral, it is also famous for sea food. Kyoko was eager to invite us to the most delicious sashimi shop, but we were too early before the shop opened. We settled at a restaurant of shrimp specialty for lunch. We sat by the window, looking over the blue sea against the blue sky in the sun.

After lunch, we first drove to Shimoda hot spring, then to see the cathedral. There was almost no sight of people on the streets, except an old man and his dog.

When we approached the Amakusa city, there was more traffic. We were 30 minutes late for our appointment with Kyoko’s mother, because Kyoko was lost at her hometown. We needed to stop the car to ask for directions from local people from time to time.