Meeting a Friend From Oz

You could imagine my combined delight and sadness last week when I received an e-mail from one of my friends (a former coworker) that she was coming to Japan alone. Joy that I'd be able to see her again but a little sad that I wouldn't be catching up with two friends.

Still, it was great to see her as I was walking out of the station after listening to some George Carlin on the train to work. It was good to see her a year after my last trip back to Sydney. I was pleasantly surprised to find that she had brought a bag of goodies for me and my family!



We have Little Ted and some CD's from Play School. Some Body shop Aloe deodorant for me and some perfume for my wife. C, do you think we smell bad? :-)

So we sat down and had lunch at Skylark. Then we chatted for quite a while, reminiscing about work, who was doing what and people we both knew. Some people had moved on, some had been promoted and one haven't been run over by a bus yet - but I still pray. It's amazing how loosing a nemesis can leave a hole in your life. Sigh....

Next we headed over to Yodobashi Camera where C picked up some inner ear earbuds, there was a choice of save 5% against tax for a traveler or get 10% in points. I took the points and gave her the ￥　instead. Better that way.

After that I helped her pick up some stamps at the post office and we sat down for a bit to watch the world go by at Starbucks. Lastly I took her to a local department stores food hall to have a look at the gourmet delicacies on offer and to try a few free samples.

I was rather sad when I put her on the train to go back to her hotel. It was so good to see her again and to catch up but today reminded me about the things I had to give up to live in Japan. Do I regret moving here? No. But I do miss a few things, my Australian friends especially.