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Which way for exit? |
かねてから企画を練って日本行きを決行したアルヴェーネス夫妻が予定通り日光に到着。う~ん、やっぱりデカイ!ノルウェーからの遠来の友である。私達がノルウエーを去った翌年の2004年に彼等は来日していて、その時京都でお会いして以来の9年振りの再会。殆ど一昔前になる。今回はあちこちにいる日本の友達に会うためにいわばバカンスを取ったのだそうだが、目一杯の予定を立てていて、やっぱり彼女たちは物理的に若い。東武下今市の駅に下り立った所をショット。
J.&M.Alvenes finally arrived safely at Nikko from Norway. They have been to Japan so many times (actually they have lived in Japan once before) and their last visit was in 2004, one year after we came back from Norway. Therefore, this is the first meeting in 9 years. They took about ten days off for this trip and made such a busy schedul to meet old friends in Japan.
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Ganman ga Buchi |
我が家で軽く昼食を済ませて早速彼等を外に案内。霊的で一風珍しい光景は印象的だったよう。
This spiritual site must have impressed them to think about how and for what purpose many disciples made those stone images of Jizo 4 to 5 centuries ago.
更に、30kmにも及ぶという杉並木の一部を案内。ノルウェーも豪快な美しい大自然を誇る国であるが、人為的に作ったこうした並木は珍しい。400年の歴史の重みを感じることが出来る。
We also took them down through the Cedar Tree Avenue to feel the value of 400 years' history.
夜は我が家で夕食を共にしながら延々と話が続く。Morten と夫は殆ど議論。もっとも、数日前に日本に着いたばかりで明らかに時差ボケがあり、さすがの彼等も11時過ぎるとストップして寝支度。
We talked and talked over the dinner at home. But it is only a few days ago that they arrived in Japan and obviously they were still suffering from jet lag. They were obliged to stop and got ready to go to bed before midnight.
翌日は迷いなく山内へ。輪王寺、逍遥園、東照宮を案内。途中、拓本版画展を見て、共通の友人のリノリュウム版画家が話題になる。ここでの作品も素晴らしいものであった。
The next day we guided them to Sannai where Rinnouji temple, the Beautiful Japanese garden of Shouyouen, Toshougu-shrine. On the way, we happened to drop in the museum of Meiji no Yakata where a special exhibition of art works of rubbed copy was held. They were just beautiful.
日光に来る前に彼等は伊勢参りをやってきていたので、二つの社の余りの違いが印象的で、大変勉強になったよう。修学旅行生達がわんさと賑わい、「ハロー、バイバイ」程度の英語ながら、親しみを込めて挨拶してくるのには驚いた。始まったばかりの英語教育の成果(?)かも。
As they visited Ise shrine before coming to Nikko, they were lucky to be able to compare Toshogu shrine with Ise shrine. They were happy to tell us a big contrast between the two.
In Toshogu premise, there were so many school children in groups. They were brave and friendly enough to talk to our guests without any hesitation. They seemed to practice their English they just started at primary schools as a compulsory subject. They looked cute in their big challenging attitude saying just two words "Hello!" and "Good bye!"
夜は山内のレストランでの美味しい和牛ステーキに感嘆。更に日本での最古の由緒ある蓄音機のコレクションを見せていただくことも出来て彼等にとって素晴らしい日光滞在となったよう。我が家に帰宅してからも真夜中までおしゃべり。時間がこんなに早く経ってしまうと彼女は嘆く。
We had dinner at the prestigeous restaurant nearby and enjoyed a very delicious beef meet. Morte was to have his birthday the next day, so that I arranged beforehand a little message on his dessert plate. After the dinner, we were taken to upstairs to let us have a look of a collection of antique gramophones in Japan, which became another big surprise for them. Back in home, we continued our talk until late. Jennifer complained of quick passing of time.
2泊したらもう去る日。雨だと予想されていた天気はいい方に外れで、彼等が去った後に雨が降り出すという本当に幸運な3日間であった。
又、新たな想い出を残して彼等は去って行った。世界中を仕事とバカンスで行き来している。日光は特別な所であり、素晴らしい所であるという印象を持たれたことと思う。
After two nights at our place, they have gone back to Tokyo leaving precious and nice memories behind for us. Actually the rainy days were expectied but there was no rain. I hope they would have been impressed with Nikko filled with the power of the Shogunate and with the great nature.