1985/7 Japan

Kyoto
10 December 1985
Posted 12.12.85

Greetings! I woke up this morning and there was SNOW on the ground!! It has all melted now, but I’m hoping for a white Christmas. After all, if it’s going to be cold, it might as well snow. Despite the fact that this is a Buddhist country, all the shops are advertising Christmas goods and playing Christmas carols.

The other most exciting thing that has happened this week is that I have been given a bicycle. By the brother of the girl I met in Turkey who gave me Kato-san’s and Mr M’s phone numbers. He is going back to Canada this month. He picked this bicycle up off a rubbish heap about seven months ago and has done some work on it – but it still looks pretty disreputable. It is black and rusty and male. I hope to do some work on it, but it is adequate for my present needs. Derek lives in south Kyoto and I had to cycle all the way to the NE from there yesterday. I have a VERY SORE ARSE today. Most people cycle on the pavements – the roads are too dangerous – and it is quite a task avoiding lampposts, children and old ladies in kimonos who REFUSE to budge an inch. Anyway, I didn’t fall off or bash into anybody – much to my surprise. It has been a very long time since I owned a bicycle.

I’ve just been out to hang up my washing and it is snowing again. The flakes are too small to settle tho’. IF my washing ever gets dry it will probably be frozen solid!! My hands are like ice.

Otherwise not much news. Used orchids in my Ikebana arrangement on Friday – and had enough left over to give some to Kato-san and some to Tracey, an Australian girl living in the house. Please put the photographs with my stuff. Tah.

Thanks for your letter, mom. I DID hear from John M. He and Erene have moved into a house of their own. Sorry to hear Arthur is unwell. Will he be home for Xmas? I think I am half-cousin to Samantha-Jo – not Aunt?! Please congratulate Mark and Glynis for me...

I have developed a book fetish and cannot resist going into Maruzen store every week to buy a new – and expensive – book. It’s going to cost me a fortune to send them home. But I need to OWN something.

That’s all Folks!
Lotsaluv
Gail

PS Is there a Chinese embassy in SA? If so – could you find out about visas for me!!? TAH.