* Japan 072006: 日本印象

Gary and I went to Japan for a conference/holiday in July 2006. We met up with Gary's students in Tokyo and it was a really special occasion. Unfortunately Gary fell seriously ill the next day which was the day before we were to leave Tokyo for Beijing. He was rushed to a hospital in Nagameguro for a major surgery in the middle of the night. As a result, we had to cancel all our subsequent travels and stay in Tokyo for extra 10 days. It was an extremely difficult time for both of us. Thanks to Ichiko and Katsumi for their friendship and support that I wasn't completely alone in a foreign country with a patient to look after. Gary and I pulled through and we now can look back with an odd affection and intimate feelings towards Tokyo. I certainly get to know Tokyo from a very different perspective when I tried to live an ordinary life in the city and visited Gary every day at the hospital. Moreover, we get to make some real friends whom we shall treasure forever.