Other than being woken up a few times last night by some heavy shakes, the weekend was uneventful here. I spent most of the time settling into my new apartment. Through all the events of the previous month, I was moving. Last week was full of ups and downs. Then weekend had clear days and most of the sakura have fallen to the ground. Work life and things in Tokyo seem nearly as before the earthquake. The nights are a bit dark as the usage of power have been reduced. I’ve started my running regiment again as I had plans for an ultra-marathon in the summer. Will I be ready for another 100k race; who knows. It’s nice to be pushing the pace again. Things seem to be normalizing here. But as they do, I’m still left with the awareness that they are not.
The picture above says it all. This little girl’s face. Of all the faces I saw while on the last trip. Her’s is one that left the strongest impression. She was standing in line with her mother. I was working down the line and noticed her. I had some candies and offered to them to her and a few people around her. Both adults and children seemed welcomed to break from the dull of waiting. She caught my eye as I could see her staring aimlessly. Even while she and her mother were selecting candies she maintained this disposition. Even later on when I saw them hours later, she remained the same.This shell shocked glare that’s not uncommon in this crowd. Her’s was one that stood out the most.
So, as the week begins. I’m back to my search. What remains unmoved is my desire to continue volunteer trips.
Linh Vien Thai is Amerasian, born in Dalat, South Vietnam, where he continued to lived during the war. He left for the U.S. and is now an American living in Tokyo. He enjoys adventure traveling and doing what’s right to make the world a better place.
