Selectively Juggling

I love Japan. It’s a beautiful country, with even more beautiful people. However, given that I’d only ever visited in Winter time I wasn’t mentally or physically ready for the hellish summer time temperatures and humidity. It was hot and humid, with no treescapes or relief from the pounding sun and the radiant heat being reflected within the monumental concrete jungle of Tokyo. There was no reprieve, albeit in the cool of the hotel room. I’m an Australian and quite enjoy hot weather, but at least our buildings, cities and gardens offer some tempering of temperatures.

However walking through Tokyo, my face beetroot red, my long sleeve linen shirt soaked with sweat was bad enough, but factoring in an urgent need to run to the toilet, and a thick constant throng of people – it was a race against time. One I almost lost. Then when slightly recovered, becoming somewhat lost, my husband and middle child had headed off to the Baseball, and I was tasked with getting myself, my other son, and daughter who has additional needs back to the safety and coolness of out hotel. Somewhat dishevelled, stomach still threatening to explode, daughter stressed, son annoyed and with deep breaths I found our way back through the rabbit warren of walkways.

It was diabolical. But thankfully it soon passed and we were all back to being fully able to embrace Tokyo. Note to self, we will never visit in Summer again.