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So, this week was a busy one. On Wednesday after grade school I went to Matsuyama to meet up with Dianne Daugherty, my Japanese teacher from high school, and the 11 high school kids she brought. We went to Dogo onsen, the first onsen in Japan, and for all of them it was also their first onsen. The girls had a big problem choosing what private part to cover up. The boys were a little nervous at first, but then relaxed and were able to walk around naked freely. All the students were beautiful and smart. A handful of them and I accidentally stayed up in the hotel lobby until about 3 talking about everything. Racism, homophobia, the war, religion, even the fear of death. I mostly listened. These kids had some great ideas.

But the highlight of the trip I think was during the last 30 minutes before my train arrived to take me back to Niihama. Dianne told Claudia and I a detailed account of her mother-in-law’s death and how amazing hospice was. She also told us all about her brother’s death.

Saturday evening I set up my show at the gallery. Katsu and Mako helped. A rush of energy filled me up when it was over. Then, Shun and his friend Jije picked me up and took me to dance in Takamastu. I met a beautiful girl there who helps people with mental disabilities and we talked about ourselves while sitting on the pavement outside.