Affection Suite
There is something always that calls us out beyond the known world, a song in the heart that yearns for journeys, a place in the heart that listens for the call.
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Hakone Cadenza
Memoir of the holiday in Tokyo and Hakone, Japan from 29th September and 5th October 2001
Life is not always a fiesta, full of whistles and bells. Most of time it is disappointing and pale. For a long time I have been looked wary and weary, the burdens of life and its nitty-gritty has washed away any effusion of vigor and passion in life. Dark nights became an irksome stage and nightmarish shows that haunt sleeps were streaming through. My knack for flirtation was lost to oblivion, eyes devoid of twinkles and words lack of emotion and sweetness.
The trip didn't come at a better time as I was in a fight to stave off depression and doldrums.
Hardly a voracious shopper, I preferred rambling through "Spain Dori", a small, zigzag and quirky alley that tucks behind the startling and faddish shopping centers in Shibuya. The small greeting card in the craft shop was beautiful.
The futuristic design of Tokyo International Forum in the heart of Marunouchi came as a surprise. The sleek glass tower, which reflects a moving train from the nearby elevated rail track, confronts with most of the plain looking office buildings nearby. It looks small from outside, and even fragile to withstand the slamming train, but as you approach closer, you are sure to be taken aback by its cavernous and sunken hall, which houses the world's largest theatre. More captivating than this, right across the tranquil public park, I spotted the Forum Art Shop and it sold beautiful stuff.
The scenery along the downhill ride in a ropeway from Sounzan to Togendai in Hakone District was enchanting and thrilling. Once we roamed past Owakudani Valley where the entire gorge smells of sulphurous fumes and clouds of steam rise from crevices with hot spring bubbling out, the majestic Mount Fuji immediately loomed in at the far right, but not in a legendary snow-capped look as we were in the autumn time. It looked beautiful under the azure sky.
We drank coffee in a tea house by the Lake Ashi which is surrounded by verdant woods. There are a number of red heiwa-no torii gates built by the lake. The vivid vermillion color of the Hakone Shrine provides a pleasing contrast to this lush green. Warm breeze swept in, half of the lake glistened and ripples sparkled, I enjoyed this quiet and harmonious surrounding as well as the occasional tingling of my teaspoon stirring in the teacup. This was quite a beautiful moment.
I was like an Arab who had suddenly come upon an oasis amid the panting sterility of the desert. By degrees the quiet and coolness of the place soothed my nerves and refreshed my spirit.
The night we spent in a Ryokan (Japanese inn) which features a series of narrow, cedar-scented corridors, traditional Tatami (Japanese matt) style rooms and elegant Shoji (rice paper doors). We quickly changed into the crisp Yukata (light cotton robe) and went for the onsen (hot spring) spa. There was no experience more beautiful than this!
On my return flight, flipping through the in-flight magazine, the last read travel story on the monks-filled streets in Phonon Penh, Cambodia was replaced by Bucharest, Romania where "smiles of freedom shine in every local face", I came to realize one calendar month had just quietly slipped away during the past seven days of our trip.
Time does fly, but not a bad thing, at least at this present turbulent and ferocious moment. But it is not a panacea. I am glad I had spent a wonderful time with my partner. Hakone will remain special in my heart.
Majorie Kinan Rawling once said " A woman has got to love a bad man once or twice in her life to be thankful for a good one." To a man with an unrestrained heart yearning for love, pure and long-lasting, this is also incredibly true, and I am just thankful for this good one.
"The treasures of the deep are not so precious.
As are the conceal'd comforts of a man.
Locked up in woman's love. I scent the air
Of blessings, when I come but near the house.
What a delicious breath marriage sends forth….
The violet bed's not sweeter."
- Middleton
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