The Trip back to Joetsu with our Australian Mates

Upon arriving at the hotel, I found Mr. Ishizuka, President of JASJ (Japan Australia Society of Joetsu), in the hall right before the Reception Room speaking with Mr. Chiba, who was a director of the film, The Railroad of Love, and his wife Mrs. Chiba. After a while, Mr. Tanaka, whom Boss (Barber) asked the Press to find five years ago, appeared with a cane in his hand. A student of Japan Academy of Moving Images took some footage of him and the hall with a video camera, afterwhich Mr. Chiba had a chat with him for a short time. In the meantime, I found five or six people gathered at the end of the hall. Believing in my bones that they were our Australian friends, I hurried toward them with the video camera following me, filming our reunion.

Jenny and Lynett were wheeling a wheelchair, within which, Jack, their father, rode. Boss, together with his daughter, Gail, Mr. and Mrs. Henderson, and Mr. and Mrs. Hill looked great. Right behind them, I found Pat and Terry, but Rod, the tour leader, hadn't shown up yet. We greeted one another, sharing the happiness of our reunion. At last came Rod, still putting on his jacket, who was responsible for taking care of all the participants during the tour.

The reception started as scheduled. I didn't know anyone except our Australian friends and Mr. Terry White, Director of the Australian-Japan Foundation. Mr. Hasegawa, President of Japan Australia New Zealand Society (JANZS), began his speech, afterwhich, came Mr. Mudie, whose speech was as powerful as ever. He emphasized the importance of peace at home as well as the world and grass roots activities like the one in Joetsu. After the speeches, we enjoyed our dinner in a convivial atmosphere. Mr. Ishizuka, Miss Sato, Mrs. Nagasawa, Rod, Pat, and Terry dined together at the same table.

I had heard a lot about Miss Sato before meeting her for the first time. She resembled her mother a great deal and gave me the cheerful impression I had expected. She enjoyed speaking with Terry, who once was her homestay host. I also met Mrs. Nagasawa for the first time, who was a lady of a gentle demeanour. Rod, after eating a dish of sushi, moved to another table where he conversed with Mr. Inoue of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Later he told me Mr. Inoue completely understood the concept of our grass roots activities. To have done so, I believe that Rod must have had formidable speaking skills. Mr. Takahashi, Director of JANZS, came over to our table and I spoke with him about the opening ceremony of the Peace Park and Jack's speech given for the occasion. He was such a pleasant person that I wished to converse with him longer. When the reception drew to a close, I found that the Master of Ceremonies was Mr. Masumi Muramatsu, a famous simultaneous interpreter. Going up to him, I said a few words. What a nice friendly person he was! I firmly believed that those wonderful encounters would be a treasure for the future activities of our society.

The next day, the weather was very lovely in Tokyo, which would be ideal for our trip down to Joetsu in a big coach. Yu (Watanabe), our guide and interpreter, having such a good sense of humour, made our long trip both pleasant and enjoyable. When our coach passed through a tunnel and entered "the snow country" on the other side, everybody shouted with surprise, which was quite natural for them considering the amazing scene, which revealed itself. They left Spring behind upon entering the tunnel and suddenly, and quite unexpectedly to most of them, came out of the tunnel into a Winter snowscape and cold weather. What a contrast! All the mountains and fields were covered with snow as the snow gently fell to Earth all around us. Everyone took out their cameras and snapped shots of the Winter scenery. Our bus was equipped with a karaoke console and to my surprise, Boss, who I thought was a quiet person, was the first to grab the microphone and sing.

As we were approaching Joetsu, we couldn't see the snow any more. Naoetsu Station, our final destination, was just around the corner and when I said, "the Station House has been renewed, you see!" they clapped and cheered, "That's good!"

Our friends were revisiting Joetsu for the first time in five years. Compared with the weather in Tokyo, it was much colder here and, what was worse, sleeting. However, Joetsu was the place you, our mates, would start their trip in Japan; Joetsu was the place where your friends, brothers and sisters, and families lived. When the coach began to slow down, our mates in it were preparing themselves to get off. The Joetsu people outside the coach started walking toward it and when the coach door opened, both Japanese and Australians called the names of long-awaited friends.

Both Japanese and Australians called the names
of long-awaited friends.