For several days, as Monday was approaching, I felt the pressure of wanting to cover as much possible in the time left, while sensing a light but clear sadness about leaving.
Sadness can only be created by joy.
I made new friends, met wonderful people, magnificent individuals. Was allowed to breathe comfortably and happily in a rich culture, amongst thousands of Japanese that view life in many aspects quite differently to what I knew until now.
They were polite, warm and friendly to a complete stranger.
I will be booking a flight back to Tokyo in the very near future. I will take my pipes again, will look to smoke another Diademas again, will have learned much more about my fourth language and will certainly meet friends again. Will be drinking more coffee in old places I know already and in others I have yet to visit.
And I hope one of the world masters of coffee, Sekiguchi Ichiro – Sekiguchisensei – will be still roasting when I walk into Café de L’Ambre again and I may celebrate his 101 with him.
Dunhill’s Prince, Ed Burak’s large Prince, Cuaba’s Diademas, next to bow-ties from a Tokyo antique market / Leica D-Lux 4