Anna Matsushita

  Even now, when I look back on it, it was a most peculiar encounter. It happened nearly 40 years ago.   To call it an "encounter" may be overstating it, as I merely caught fleeting glimpses of the man in two different places. Yet, to this day, it remains a mystery that lingers in my mind.   In the early 1990s, I travelled to the United Kingdom for a year-long university exchange programme. A friend who had helped me arrange my plane tickets and Eurail pass accompanied me on the journey.   We flew with Aeroflot Airlines. After an overnight stay in Moscow, we set off for Heathrow Airport. Upon arriving at Heathrow, we boarded the Piccadilly Line underground train and headed towards our destination—a youth hostel nestled within Holland Park, right in the heart of the city.   It was late summer, and the park itself was alive with the sounds of music festivals. Simply staying there, one could enjoy operatic performances and concerts wafting through t...

Long ago, we went to Scotland on family trip. It was end of August. Scottish weather was already chilly. It was too cold with summer clothing we brought. First, we stopped at Edinburg for a sightseeing, then moved on to near Inverness by train, and checked in at a hotel. The hotel seemed to be a new hotel, had neat and bright interior, with good utilities inside. The manager of the hotel was full of hospitality. She was with us at our check in and lead us to our room, explaining cheerfully about what services were available at the hotel. Once we settled ourselves in at hotel room, we went to swim at hotel’s swimming pool. Our limbs became stiff with long train journey. We relaxed ourselves in the pool, The pool was quite vacant. Part from our family, only a few people were seen at the pool Dinner time came, and we were shown to our table at dining room. Three course meal was served, and this time the manager was also at our table. She told us that the vegetables of fresh salad were har...

  Our local shrine’s festival resumed for the first time in three years. Streets were once again jolly with illuminated lanterns. Kids were playing wood flute and drums to add festive feeling. They were performing the music in front of train station. People enjoyed the music in the evening.   I assume that the shrine must have planned the festival when the number of corona patients were decreasing daily – at least until June 2022. People must have put much effort into the preparation, looking forward once again to practice the music, drew out the portable shrine (Omikoshi) ready to be carried around the town, and float to carry the music bands.   Before COVID-19, the festival was like these;   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1oWNuFH-CIg https://youtu.be/97cu-n3QXrc I watched the children playing music with somewhat mixed feeling. By the time the festival started, the number of COVID-19 patients were increasing at tremendous speed. I was tracking onl...