The Spanish Steps of Rome

The last spot I visited in Rome was The Spanish Steps of Rome.

We were allowed two hours of free time there. The place was very crowded. There were a lot of shops selling brand-name goods.

I was wondering where I should go and what I should see. I looked around standing alone in the crowd.

Suddenly I found a sign saying "Keats and Shelley Museum." Keats and Sherry? In Rome? I hurried to the museum and paid 3.5 Euro.

I knew Keats, a great English poet, died at the age of 25 there in that building. Keats spent his last four months watching the steps to the church. I felt Keats' loneliness.

Then I stood at the top of the steps. It was getting darker. Oh! How beautiful and exciting ! I saw a fiery sunset. I thanked for being alive, watching that evening glow alone.

Buon giorno !

Buon giorno !
I returned home from a trip to Italy last night.

I thought the weather would be bad, but on the contrary it was fine during the trip. The weather there was just like that of Tokyo. We had never had any rain during our stay in Italy.

It was a busy but pleasant 9-day package. I was the only one woman that joined the trip alone. All the ladies but me were protected by their husbands.

Wives were surprised to know that I joined alone. All were very kind to me and I had a good and comfortable time.

I visited Rome, Naples, Firenze (Florence), Pisa, Venezia (Venice) and Milano. All those cities were attractive because they were old.

I was overpowered with the beauty and glory of the Gothic style of building I saw here and there. Walking in a strange city was amazing. I admired the European scenery from city to city by bus.

I'm now waiting for my baggage to arrive.

（in Rome)


(in Firenze)

going on a trip to Italy

Oh! I'm so happy it is very fine. We had some frost this morning. It's very cold and the walk way along Tamagawa-josui is white.

I am leaving my apartment for Narita this afternoon to stay at a hotel near Narita Airport. I'll be flying to Rome via London tomorrow morning.

Have a nice trip, karin!
Take it easy, karin!

This is a picture of myself my 6-year-old granddaughter koharu took on Dec.13.

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year!

The new year 2006 has just started. First, I heartily desire peace everywhere in the world. We had many bad news and very few cheering news last year.

But let's not be hopeless of our future. I think I will try to do whatever I can.

My key words in life are " trip, mountain, volunteer, and Internet." I will not lose the Sense of Wonder.

I will always remember these lines from a poem YOUTH by Samuel Ullman, an American poet.

You are as young as your faith,
as old as your doubt;

as young as your self-confidence,
as old as your fear;

as young as your hope,
as old as your despair.

By the way, I am planning to go on a trip to Italy on Jan. 4th, unless I get worse. I will stay at a hotel near Narita Airport on Jan. 3rd. I'll be back on Jan. 12.




(Pyracantha I saw today )


I love Christmas colors very much.
I love blue much better, though.