last day

Before (September)

After: Snow-dusted Youtei-San

The sun shone brightly on my last morning in Niseko. Mr and Mrs T sat on the sofas sipping coffee. They invited me to come back in the winter season for the skiing, politely forgetting that I cannot ski. On the table were leaving gifts to me - a Japanese 'house coat' (think a full-body apron) so that I can 'make pies for my boyfriend'. And my very own Hanko. Now I can sign everything using my name in Japanese kanji. Warning: I will be signing many things this way from now on.

Matronly - a cooker of soggy pies

little case

open sesame

my name!

I got them something too... a tourist guide to England. Ahem. With pictures of the Queen and Thatcher. Both of whom Mr and Mrs T seem to like (or at least they like the movies). 

I'm sad to go as I'm not sure I'm ready for the bustling city again. Another six months of never being alone in a cafe; never walking down a road in silence; of drinking bottled water instead of tap; of bumping into people a hundred times a day, even when doing a simple task like crossing the road. 

I took Hana out for a last walk, making sure not to go too close to Sesame, the huge scary dog, who always barks at Hana. The crickets jumped in the grass. And a "stinky bug" landed on my sleeve. Youtei-San is quite clear today, a slash of white runs down its sides like a ribbon. The snow ploughs are being gathered up in Niseko-village and the gardeners tie wooden slats around their fruit trees, ready for the long white winter.