March 31, 2026 – Continued
After the party, quite a few people didn’t want it to end, so they agreed to meet at the Hard Rock CafĂ© at CityWalk to continue the celebration.
I had to stay with Atsuko Sera to settle the hotel bill. She
had to total all the receipts. Then she met with the banquet manager. It took
some time.
Quite a few people who had said they were coming didn’t at
the last minute, so we had committed to more people than actually attended.
Fortunately, a few others had not RSVP’d, but were able to be there. So, they
made up for some of those who were missing. (The war in Iran had just begun,
and we knew of a couple of people who were overseas and couldn’t get out. Still
others were just afraid to travel.)
I had said we would cover the cost for those who did not
come, so I couldn’t leave until I got my credit card back. Therefore, I waited…
Atsuko returned with good news. The hotel had given us a
reduced rate for those who had not come, so the amount was less than we had
anticipated. And the exchange rate was far more favorable than it had been two
years earlier. Bottom line: the total wasn’t as much as we had feared. And the
party itself and being able to see everyone was well worth whatever it cost. So grateful for her managing all the negotiations! Without her, none of it would have happened.
While I was still waiting at the hotel for the bill to be
settled, Toshi and Larry took all our bags and other items back to our room
before joining the group. When I didn’t arrive right away, they set out in
search of me. They were concerned because it had taken so long. Fortunately
they found me on the way.
We finally reached the Hard Rock. Thankfully, most of our
friends were still there.
On the way in, we saw Mike Davis and Shinkawa-san sitting
together at a front table and waved hello. Shinkawa-san won one of our books as
a door prize. Lovely to see him again.
At last, we joined the group.
Toshi, Larry and I joined the group at the back table.
Everyone had already ordered by the time we got there, but we placed our
orders. A few others stopped by to say hello. None of us wanted to leave, but
the time had come at last.
We were exhausted after a busy and eventful day, but so
grateful for the opportunity to share the time with good friends and
colleagues.
Next time: Our final days in Osaka.