Sometimes dreams come true

Life without dreams is life without any expectations, life without hope of better days, without wishes. Years ago I read many books about Japan, and dreamed to visit there. That dream I never thought become true.
Then Osaka YL Meeting was arranged 1993 and I was there. It made my love and interest even more strong and how lovely friends I learned to know there! My only sorrow was that I could not share that “dream come true”-experience with my OM. So we continued to dream about visit in Japan together.

Sometimes life gives us unpleasant surprises, sometimes makes dreams true. We were lucky to travel to Japan together in the end of March 2006. When I made arrangements, I felt very strongly that thing after the other arranged like it was planned by fate. Now, after the trip I am sure that it really was so.

After returning home, our heads and hearts were full of lovely, happy memories, experiences which took some time to settle quite in order. We had such a lovely time, cherry blossom time in Japan. Once again our trip really was "once in a lifetime trip." Therefore we feel so happy and blessed.

We landed Kansai Airport of Osaka, where Toshiko-san JP3DPU was waiting for us with her friend and colleague Takako-san, both of them had visited our home. What a warm welcome it was! And how happy it was to meet again face to face. It felt so unbelievable.

During two weeks which we spent in Japan, we visited Osaka, Hiroshima, Nara, Kyoto and Tokyo. Many of those places were same as during the meeting 1993 but we also saw new places in those cities.

Hiroshima was a place that I wished to visit. Thanks to Mio-san JR3MVF that wish became true. To see Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park and Museum was an experience that confused me a lot. On the other hand  I was happy that I had possibility to honour memory of all those victims and on the other hand I was upset and sad to realize what had happened there. Visit there makes sure every person wish that anything like that should not ever happen again, we should learn to live in peace.

What a lovely time we had in Japan. In Osaka castle we noticed that violet is very popular flower in that time of the year. There were violets outside and inside the castle walls. We were offered a possibility to see Miyako Odori, The Cherry-Blossom Dance. That Geisha performance is only possible to see in Kyoto in April.
It was wonderful to see The Great Buddha of impressive Todai-ji and also visit Yakushiji, Asakusa Kannon and other temples, to see huge Tokyo city view from 52nd floor, front park of The Emperor´s castle area and many other places, guided by charming Japanese YLs.

It was very special opportunity to join  JLRS area 3 YL-meeting, visit homes, get dressed beautiful kimonos in the home of Takako-san, get teaching about ikebana by Toshioko-san and get teaching calligraphy guided by very talented calligraphy-teacher Ms. Kazuko Iguchi-san.

It was so wonderful to see unbelievable splendour of cherry blossoms, we will never forget all that. We were really very lucky because our last day in Osaka was the first day to be able to visit in that private area in Osaka, area full of beautiful cherry-trees. That area is open to public only one week a year, so I understood. Thanks Mio-san that You took us to see those lovely cherry  flowers. We were so pleased to meet again Jiro-san and also Your guest Jeanie WA6UVF.

I even cannot mention everything we had pleasure to see and enjoy. But most important, most wonderful matter was to meet Japanese friends. It was a privilege and a great honour to meet all of You, spend time together and get unforgettable memories. Thank You all so much.

Our warm thanks to You Taeko-san JR3HII, Nozomi-san JH3SQN and Ken-san JH3SQM. It was so nice to celebrate Your babyborn grandchild dear Eiko-san. We also thank You Akiko-san JH3SVS, Goro-san and Your beautiful grand daughter Rika-san. It was wonderful to meet You again dear Hiromi-san JJ1CAS, thank You so much. 
There were so many charming YLs which we met and we remember everyone of You with joy and pleasure.
 
I cannot even describe how much You did for us dear Toshiko-san and Takako-san. You took care of us for many many days, in a way like family members are taken care.
Domo arigato gozaimasu!

Dear friends, our sincere thanks to all of You. You made our visit very special and Your generous gifts remind us of You. We´ll remember those days in Your beautiful country for rest of our lives, we left our hearts in unforgettable Japan.

Thanks for Your kindness and Your friendship

Tuulikki  OH7YL/OH7XX  and Pekka  OH7NNH