I've been working at the office since this morning, and I just got home.
Tomorrow, I want to go to the office and create some documents.
I also need to find time tomorrow to go to a shop in Ginza to have my family member's hat repaired. The hat, which the owner cherished a
lot was deformed due to my belongings. The owner seems quite upset, so I plan to go to a hat store in Ginza, a place I've known for 30 years to have it fixed.
This reminded me of a story about a 'hat'.
It was about three years ago, I think. I went to a store called Ginza M to choose a farewell gift for a junior member at the office. Women's scarves and hats were displayed on the first floor of the store. I was earnestly choosing which scarf might be best for the junior member.
A foreign woman, who appeared to be a senior, came up to me from about 2-3 meters away.
From here on, the conversation was all in English.
'You are such a lovely person, and your hat suits you very well!'
'Ah, thank you. I rarely get called cute, but I'm happy you like my hat,' I responded.
'Oh, you have a horse affixed in leather on your bag. Do you like horses?'
'Well, I like them to some extent...'
'I see, I'm from Germany. I came to visit Japan because my daughter lives here. In my village, there are many horses. Do you know Baden-Baden?'
'Yes, it's famous as a resort area.'
'Here are my email address and my daughter's email address. Please contact my daughter. If you feel like it, come and visit Germany.'
We had such a conversation and then parted ways.
After that, I went on a trip to Spain and Portugal and completely forgot about the lady from Baden-Baden. However, during my trip, I received an email from a person who is her daughter.
'My mother seems to have taken a great liking to you. When you return to Japan, let's meet by all means!' the email read.
The lady I met in Ginza and her daughter, they suggested we meet once I returned to Japan.
I wondered, were Germans always so proactive and open-minded? I was reminded of the Germans I knew.
After returning to Japan, I met with her daughter in Tokyo and had lunch together. I heard various stories from her, including the struggles
of being at the top. Despite being German, she held a high position in a renowned firm. Her days were so busy that she couldn't take care
of her mother, so her mother came to visit Japan this time.
She said, 'If you don't mind, I'd be happy if you could ride horses and spend time with my mother.' 'Well, riding horses in Germany, I guess I could do that.' I remember having such a conversation.
After that, I exchanged emails with her daughter several times. However, the situation of the world changed due to the coronavirus
afterwards.
I had a few years where I couldn't go overseas.
I wonder if the German lady, with whom I had an unexpected connection through a 'hat', is doing well? I just remembered such a thing...
If she is still well, maybe I will visit Baden-Baden someday..."