In a taxi, a small canary yellow bus pulls up alongside. Round straw hats with navy blue ribbons topping tiny heads bobbing, barely perceptible above the bus windows. Tiny fists grasping the seats before them. Jostling. A girl’s face turns toward the window. A brief wave hello exchanged between us. It means so much more to me than it does to her.
A drawing of a camera with a red circle and slash superimposed. No photography. Anywhere in the museum. A brief wave of annoyance. How will I or anyone know I was here? How will I capture my favorites, possess them for me? Just be.
Our tour guide is telling us about the Heian Shrine, and I’m only half listening. Above me, on the bridge leading to the shrine, wedding photos are being taken of a young Japanese couple in traditional attire. The groom looks around, not looking for an escape or to question his decision. No, he looks around to see if anyone else realizes how amazing this is. I do! Our eyes lock, he waves and smiles. I wave and smile. I grandly thrust two thumbs up. He laughs and does the same.
A Day in the Life 