Stops: Tokyo (Gotanda and Okutama), Mano, Madison, and Glosta (Days )

Jet lag had me awake at about two and again at four, so now it is six o’clock in the morning and I have consumed a leftover slice of blueberry pie and a mug of coffee. The house is quiet. Time to gather some items and thoughts looking back on the first movement of this sabbatical April to early August.

By the numbers:

• Countries: 3
• Islands: 15
• Flights: 14
• Bemos: 1
• Motorbikes: 0
• Boat rides: 15
• Bus, car, van, travel rides: ???
• Trains: 6
• Items lost: 3
• Accommodations: 38
• Pairs of boots: 1
• Days unwell: 4 or 5
• Megafauna: 2
• Sketches: Lots
• CEFR levels: 1
• Punk rawk shows: 3

Obviously, I haven’t blogged more than a few things that happened in Indonesia and Sri Lanka. But, along the way I worked on some linguistic landscape research data collection and initial notes. My Indonesian study had its ups and downs, but mostly ups–I feel much more confident. Did a bit of textbooks writing and editing here over coffees at guesthouse lunch tables. The development that was probably most significant, but not as significant as I intended, was working on sketching with ink and watercolor. I’ve posted a few, but that barely scratches the surface. Doing it is of course much more rewarding than writing about it, but will try to gather up a few more examples, if only for reflection and learning.

After all of that, I returned to Japan for a whirl of activity, a memorial service, some peace and quiet, another whirl of activity and a flight to the US. There was a lot of to catch up on so my first and last couple of days were a round of errands at city offices, banks, work, stores, unpacking and repacking, and not catching up with as many people as I would have liked. Stopped by the mountain and the house was still there. Finally, after all of that, and a side trip in the peak heat of August to Hamamatsu for my mother-in-law’s memorial service, Etsuko and I went out to Sado for ten days.

View of Onogame just before lunch.

We left for Sado a day early in a bit of a rush because of an impending typhoon that would stop all boats and we returned replenished but just in time to wonder of the next typhoon might also stop all planes from leaving Tokyo. In between those storms, we had a relaxing and refreshing break in Mano. A couple of friends came over for a barbecue at the house. We hit (most) of our favorite restaurants in Aikawa on one trip (Kimpuku, I will be back for you next time!) Little trips for some music, swimming, or just driving up to enjoy some quiet countryside. Took care of practical matters at home centers and offices. Met a few new people, too. On our last day, we saw an amazing film set in Sado and made by an old acquaintance from Nagoya who also relocated to Tokyo a long time ago. Have to look him up again when I get back. His film was gorgeous and moving. Spooky and stark Just like Sado. We had a perfect break and I keep discovering more and more about Sado and this place keeps getting more attractive.

Movie still from the film “旅 / Another Time” by John Williams shot just down the coast from Onogame.

“旅 / Another Time” Premiers in Sado on November 10

We threaded the needle of two typhoons to arrive at Logan Airport and drive down to Connecticut to visit my dad. We just have a few days here before heading up to Gloucester, MA to visit with my sister then take off again from Logan. Etsuko back to Tokyo, and me on to the next movement. One of the best days was a sunny walk along the state park beach. The visibility was perfect. Could see clearly all the way out to Long Island. This was important because much closer to shore there was a pod of dolphins swimming up the coast. Forty years in this town and my dad had never seen dolphins swimming here.

Etsuko and my dad on the beach.

So, on to the next stage. Time to leave behind giant bats, sharks, komodo dragons, beaches, and the changed constellations and milky way of the equator and southern hemisphere–for now. Moving on to medieval towns, forested mountains, new subjects to sketch, lots more trains, and many fewer flights.

On the left, boot with sole worn through and cracked from four months of rain, sand, and salt. On the right, a new one for urban exploration and some long hikes. Let’s see how long it lasts.