Konichiwa from Tokyo!
[16 April 2011] Graham and I did come to give our recitals in Tokyo, and
despite the frequent earthquakes, we are very glad to have made the
journey. The Oji Hall is quite wonderful, with a beautiful piano and the
most attentive audience for the concert last night. People are so
pleased that we have come; there are very few Western faces. After the
natural disasters and the nuclear worry, the tourist industry has been
hit very hard. This hotel where I have stayed on each of my trips to
Japan is usually swarming with people, but this time it is so quiet that
most of its restaurants are temporarily closed and there is no room
service.
We are leaving for Kyoto until the next concert; I have never been
anywhere other than Tokyo so I'm really looking forward to visiting the
temples and gardens in Kyoto. The cherry blossom is glorious!
FL

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