Charming Sale

     What a scrum in the Motomachi part of Yokohama as the Charming Sale opened for business tonight. Loads of tempting handbag shops, the aroma of leather poured down the avenue. Twice a year the Charming Sale is unleashed upon bargain hunters. Last time I scored a Kitamura purse, the local label. Not sure why the sale is dubbed "charming," but shoppers behave as if mesmerized. Each store sets up shop outside along the pedestrianized main street. Could the sudden onset of mild spring weather trigger this fever?  

     How lucky that L-san was free to meet for a glass of wine and nibbles at one of the many chi-chi Italian places in an alley off Motomachi. She orders the fastest item on the menu and the waiter delivers an array of appetizers displayed on the plate like pieces of a delicious jig saw.The trattoria had  "Breakfast at Tiffany's" from 1961 projecting upon the wall, with Japanese subtitles. Audrey Hepburn rules, with her photos plastered all over Tokyo. "The Children's Hour" and "Sabrina" are on cable TV at least once a month. No one can argue with Hepburn.

     Up the hill we rushed for the opening night of the concert series at Yokohama International School. The seniors who are studying Higher Music for the IB (International Baccalaureate) are set to perform. What a nice way to spend the evening listening to two attractive young gentlemen, one of whom has been courting our Astrid-chan for two years. His rendition of a Japanese song was heartbreaking in its delivery. Both boys showed great composure as they sing and strum their guitars into the uncertain future.

     Tonight's inbox has multiple emails from the Tokyo American Club Library about all sorts of business, nothing about our Room to Read event. Very possibly only 30 members care about literacy in the Club.