English edition

Driving with Ai-cyan

The car I drive is nimble and easy to handle. I've affectionately named it "Ai-chan."

Since the outbreak of COVID-19, I've been going out with Ai-chan more frequently. Wherever I go, Ai-chan is with me.

Today, I drove out to Mito, which is 85 kilometers one-way.

I usually return home in the evening, and my favorite highway to use is the Joban Expressway. The Joban Expressway is well-maintained and usually has minimal traffic (if there is an accident and traffic jam, I simply resign myself to it).

When I drive down the Joban Expressway in early spring, heading towards Tokyo, I am hit directly with the setting sun. I enjoy watching the brilliant red sunset gradually disappear into the horizon. (There are no tall buildings to obstruct the view, only the farmland of the Kanto plain and distant mountains.)

During these times, I make it a point to listen to Jim Hall's "Concierto de Aranjuez."

It seems that Ai-chan also enjoys this piece, and it makes for a comfortable drive.

Ai-chan, thank you for your hard work today. It was a fun drive, wasn't it?

-English edition