Tokyo

Having just been to our IWS branches in Toronto and New York, I had one more site to visit to finish my round trip, Tokyo. I was truly prepared for Japan, my computer system was thoroughly tested, all documentations typed, and after spending many hours learning Japanese, I couldn't wait to put my knowledge into practice. Two more trips to Japan followed in the future, but there is nothing like the first visit.

To this day Barbara and I dispute what was the arrangement of the meeting in Tokyo, I phoned her from New York to say that I was leaving on Saturday, she claims that I told her I would be in Tokyo on Saturday. Both towns were in very different time zones, and as a result of miscommunication Barbara arrived to Japan a day ahead of me. She wasn't pleased in the slightest, phoned dad to England and moaned about it, but managed to rearrange the accommodation. Did a bit of detective work and successfully traced a Japanese friend she knew from her days in Sydney when she worked there. Saito, her friend, looked after her till my arrival.

I was innocently unaware of all the drama  in Tokyo when I comfortably settled in my Club Class seat of JAL airplane. Bye Bye New York, I am off to Tokyo. KAMPAI !

Tokyo Tower	View of Tokyo from the Tower	Tokyo crossroads

Japanese garden	Plenty of fish in the pond	Japanese Tea Ceremony

Plastic display of Japanese fare	This fare is raw - but real !	Parking zone for umbrellas in the restaurant foyre

Woolmark advert in a Tokyo district	In Tokyo office with my Japanese colleagues	In IWS social club with my lady and Japanese colleagues

Saito buying presents for Barbara	With Saito and his family	Saito giving his best in a Tokyo karaoke pub

My Japanese colleague's brother, a doctor, invited Barbara to his work	Barbara trying her skill in the Japanese popular game PACHIN	One of many local festival evenings - Strictly Come Dancing

Trying my Japanese with a geisha lady	Meeting Barbara (accidentally) in Asakusa	Mission accomplished-final rest- ready to go home

Sayonara !