The one with all the conclusions: part 3

The trip to Japan is nearing an end, and it's ending on a more positive note than it began. Why? No particular reason.

When I came, I planned for a 4-day trip. That morphed into a 6-day trip. After panicking, I regained my head. I stayed at the cheapest "hotel" I could find. I ate Subway every day, and had simple snacks from Japanese convenience stores. And on that note, the chicken here doesn't taste very good. It's kind of sticky, and moist, and a little skimpy on the meat. But it's cheap, at a buck a pop. And it goes well with that tangy cider they serve, which tastes like a hyperactive Sprite.

Today, finally, I went to the Korean consulate and applied for my visa. It was a long wait, which began on Thursday. I had received my visa number on Friday evening, too late to apply, thus being forced to wait till today.

The lovely lady whom I had seen at the consulate's reception desk was not there today. I had wanted to see her face again, for it was soft and sweet-looking. She had eyes as deep as a lake, with her hair pinned back, tight, the skin on her face taut and her cheeks aglow in red, like puddles flowing out of her dimples.

Instead I was greeted professionally by a man, a blue blazer on, a bald spot lurking under the crown of his head. He told me all I needed to do, and I did it. There was another lady, with a mole just above her lip, who helped me finalize all the paperwork, and who told me to come tomorrow to pick up my visa and passport.

So I left, to wander again. Everything seems too far away from here, not worth the effort to travel to it. And the cost of a taxi is very high, enough to make me stay put. Which means this trip will not furnish many photographs -- though I have to admit that Japan is quite stunningly wonderful.

The one truly happy memory I take away from this trip, is the purchase of my first-ever vinyl record. I purchased Music From the Unrealized Film Script, Dusk at Cubist Castle, by the Olivia Tremor Control. I was hoping to find also some vinyl of Neutral Milk Hotel, Forever Changes and Blonde on Blonde -- but no such luck awaited me.

Now, even without a vinyl record player, I have begun my collection. And it will be great.

Tomorrow, then, I go back to Korea, land that I love. And life will begin in its usual way. Oh boy, I can't wait to see my students again.