Fumitaka San: Modern Tokyo and his family

Time had go so quickly since the last time Fumitaka San was with us. Brian, now 25, was then but three years old. It was almost like a dream to see him again, but this time in his native land with himn guiding our steps through ancient and modern Japan.

After our 2 hour ancient and modern Japan tour, Fumitaka took us to another Prince Hotel. I wonder how many of them Tokyo has. We had coffee while we waited for his family to join us. I was excited and I do not why, a little bit nervous. Fumitak gave us presents while we waited. He gave Brian a great cutting knife, which he really wanted for his new kitchen. Fumitaka gave me a beautiful and delicate soy sauce dispenser and to Mark and Julia (Brian's girlfriend back in Boston) an ear picker, a present described as fitting to royalty. Then, Fumitaka's wife, Junko and his son, Yohei joined us for dinner. Yohei chose the restaurant, an "all you can eat buffet" at the Prince Hotel. The meal was the most delicious I had in Tokyo. The food and the company were priceless. A person could eat sushi, beef, rice, noodles, vegetables, desserts, etc. Everything you could possibly want. As we were talking and eating, Mark, Brian and I were surprised when Yohei started to flip his pencil through his fingers. It is the same mannerism Brian has had for years.

I was greatful to Yunko and Yohei for allowing Fumitaka to spend so much of "his little free time" with my boys. The family has little time to spend together. She is busy preparing students for entrance examinations to college and Yohei is a master Japanese chess player and an excellent student at a provate high school. Fumitaka is in a competitive business and he travels a lot.

Lastly, my own "mostly silent" husband, Mark, gave us the biggest surprise of the day, when he read his thank you speech, written in Japanese with the help of an online translator. Fumitaka his family, Mark and I were amazed. I have a very thoughtful husband.

We brought some small gifts for the family to thank them, but we will not do justice to their generosity and kindness until we are able to have them in our home and try to provide all what our city and home can offer to visitors and friends. Arigato, Saito Family!

Seeing Fumitaka, learning about ancient and modern Tokyo, meeting his family and going out to my first all you can eat buffet in Tokyo were the highlights of my weekend on my own. I was amazed by the talent of Fumitaka's son and wife. Mark,

Brian and I hope to have the opportunity to have them in Oklahoma sometime in the very near future. Thank you for the priceless gift of your friendship and the kindess and generosity with which you treated us.