Nara

We met at ten o'clock in front of the Gakuenmae train station on Saturday, April 25th in Nara, Japan. Her name is Setsuko Okabe and for the next three days, she would be my host mother.

We drove - on the left - through the rain to her flat. I took pictures as she raised her neighbor's car to access her parking space - space efficiency is everything here. And along with it comes buttons and flashing lights. Even her bathroom is automated. The lid raises when you walk in, the seat warms itself when sat upon, and a panel of buttons lets you personalize your bum wash. When you flush the sink built into the toilet's back turns on. Wow.

We ate Japanese food in her dining room and out at restaurants. My favorite - though not an entirely new experience - was our trip to a conveyor belt sushi place. I'm partial to eel, though salmon is always good. I found the octopus overly chewy. We also drank tea, ceremonial style. It was alright. It must be the ceremony that has the appeal.

We went out to see the sights. Todai-ji Daibutsu-den is the world's largest wooden building. It contains a massive Buddha and a column with a hole in its base the same size as his nostril. It's said that if you can squeeze through you're ensured enlightenment. Setsuko thought I could make it. My money was on me making it half way and being stuck forever. I graciously declined - I'll take my chances on obtaining enlightenment.

We talked - or rather she talked. She's 67 and she had a lot more to say about traveling. Lands with different people, different attitudes, different things to see. She said she once met a preacher in an airport who told her she would never travel alone. God is always with you. So see - she's talking to me now - you're never alone. I nod and smile - I know.