There are moments in travel that are not in guide books and cannot be planned. The memory of them may last far longer than those that are. I had one such moment this morning.
With an hour to wait for my laundry to dry, I walked out into the rain to find coffee. I came to a small place that had one other customer. I was greeted warmly and took a seat at the counter. A Harry Potter cup and coaster were placed before me. The woman behind the bar was wearing a pointed witches hat. What’s going on here?
A young woman came up and began talking to me, perhaps testing her English. We talked Harry Potter and agreed to our common liking for the young wizard.
I had begun my coffee and custard when the owners pointed to the front of the place to where the young woman had pulled out a violin. She was going to play and I had walked in at the perfect moment! She began with Leonard Cohen’s soulful, “Alleluia.”
She played several additional pieces, beautifully, including “Moon River” and “This is Halloween” (very spooky!) I stayed until it was time to get my laundry. I told Nasa that I had to go. As I was about to leave, she played a song for me, as she made clear, a serenade that was as lovely as could be. It was John Lennon’s Christmas song, my favorite.
A very merry Christmas
And a happy New Year.
We hope it's a good one
Without any fear.
Autumn In Japan 