MY BIOGRAPHY FROM 1970 TO 1979

July1978 was an unexpected time in Japan. I never imagined that the people could be so gentle, educated and respect full to their neighbors. I had a fantastic time with my  3 Japanese musicians friends, who not only invited me to play with them, but also took me on a trip which I will share with you with the following pictures: Tokyo Train Station.   My friend Minoru, was guitar  player and he spoke French as well and was interested as many Japanese teenagers are, in coming to the US. On the day we were going to the Ashi family home, Minoru eat to much and had the stoma cache. Left his friend who laughed about it and me rubbing  his stomach like a doctor.


Ashi, Minoru & William
Trip to Ashi family


I asked the train station chief to tell me what was written on that panel, but he couldn't tell me in English so instead  he gave me his hat.

William Train Station Boss

My three friends brought their girlfriends.  They were very shy, humble and ready to help me with the Japanese culture and customs. In this picture I had the feeling that I was still in high school because of the joke, which they played putting their fingers on top of the girl's head. 

Minoru, Ashi, Haruo and the girls

The next day we went to a very historical place. 200 years ago a whole city was unearthed d from the lava of a volcano. The eruption had killed 9000 people. Today it look like a field of solidified rocks, covering houses and it's people.
Front and entrance of the memorial


All Team at the memorial


Knocking the Memorial Bell,
as a symbolic Act.


Back to Tokyo an underground Tee Room
FINAL COMMENT
My two monthzs there was the most intensive time in my life due to the fact that Japonese people are so educated and have a style of receiving people called hospitality, that still today 2012, I never in the World found again!
 
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Haruo, Minoru & William

It was hot but the fact that I was  in Japan with my friends made me forget about the heat and everything around me. Was it a dream?  

Enjoying the time at the train station

Finally the train arrived and we posed to take a picture of this memorable moment, which I didn't know if I would ever have a chance to come back again to Japan. Until now I haven't had the opportunity, but who knows? Maybe one day?

Willy, Minoru, Ashi & Haruo

As  we arrived in the Ashi family's house, they showed me the house and also this magnificent garden of exotic trees, flowers, birds and in the middle of it a small fountain, which gave to this beautiful Japanese garden 
a serene look.

The exotic and Paradise Garden


At the Memorial


Here is how it looked,
with only lava rocks

This whole experience brought to my mind a lot of questions?. Being there with them, eating, sleeping in their home as a guest and feeling around me not only respect but their warm hospitality pushed me to question their historical past more deeply than what Westerners say and think knowing about them. 
Their education, customs, attitude and also their drive to try to be perfect, it's not only by the fact that of their culture, but also because they live on a small island with
280 millions people.
What do you think?