Yes. Finland lost the gold for Sweden in the ice hockey in the Torino Winter Olympics. We were priviliged to see the game here in Tokyo. I have to admit that Sweden played very well, although there was still a little chance for Finland to win. Bad luck? No. It happens always.

Juha left Tokyo today afternoon to return Seoul to wait for his return flight back to Finland. At least now Makuhari got more silent, although James, Marko and his friend are living in the apartment few doors down the corridor. As it might not be obvious for everyone and I happened not to mention before, I am currently staying in Marjut’s place while she is still enjoying hot and activity rich Thailand.

Meanwhile, I will take a train - that dangerously famous yellow Chuo-Sobu line - back to Tokyo. As far it seems that tomorrow is going to my last day in Tokyo city, shopping around, wandering the cosy streets of Daikanyama. And maybe, just maybe, pop in Koenji. Just too see that everything in its place. Finally, just not make my Monday lazy, I will see Christina and other giggling girls from the Sophia for a late night dinner.

To be sure there would be a torpedoed Tuesday, I just pack, pack and pack. Until I reach the limit of 20 kg (which btw was the weight of my backbag when returning to Tokyo), just to pack again to decide what to dispatch in a parcel.

Although it might seem that my feelings are foggy, rainy, and sad, they are not. Only the current - cold - weather here in Tokyo is. But tomorrow, sun will shine as I walk through the walley of past. At least according to the weather report.

Tired, but happy. Poor, but rich with new experiences. And tanned, but not burned.

So the journey went and off back we came. Now again chillin’ in the never sleeping Tokyo, but only for few days before returning (kaerimasu - propaganda works ;)) to Funland. A couple of days, plenty of memories from the city I fell in love with. But things have changed. I have seen a small part from the third world. The misery of having not enough food, the misery of losing legs and arms due the landmines and explosives that still exist somewhere there. Still the pure happines all around, although being without anything or anybody. But happy just for being alive.

Tokyo is not same anymore. Sure it is filled with all nice memories, all the nice people and my lovely friends. But roads are paved and all the rubbish just don’t lie on the streets of the ghetto. The life is not surviving for a single day. It is a rat race through the misery that is hidden between the golden curtains and the never ending piles of office paper.

But anyway around, the opposites just exists. And I just can’t just help falling into love with the two, most beutiful, but still most opposite places. Tokyo and Cambodia, you will definetily be worth of visiting again, again, again, and again. Never ever regretting that I came, saw, and experienced what I did.

* * *

Makuharin uinuva hiljaisuus, sihtautuva auringonvalo tatamimaton tuoksuisessa huoneessa. Hektisen Tokion totaalinen, mutta toisaalta kontrolloitu kaaos klitterin loisteessa.

Vaikka aitoudellaan hurmaava köyha Kambodzha viekin sydämen, miljoonakaupungin loiste kiskoo voimakkaasti takaisin. Miksen voisi vielä kertaalleen käydä auringonpaisteisilla Daikanyaman pikkukaduilla tuhansien idyllisten putiikkien Mekassa. Tai vielä kertaalleen hengailla tyylikkaillä Tokion klubeilla parhaiden ystävieni seurassa? Mutta ystaväni ovat lähteneet. Kaupunki on muuttunut, mutta muistot ovat säilyneet. Ehka joskus vielä palaan.

Vietnam has gone. We came few days ago to Thailand, stayed one night in sweaty and smoggy Bangkok just to head this nice, quiet, and small island Ko Samet. We are staying here with Marjut and Marika till tomorrow when they’ll head other places in Thailand. Our journey is going finish also soon and the flight back to the cold Tokyo is on friday. Anyways, still alive and fat enough. And now for a dinner

Here we are, middle of the best French colonial architecture heritage one might find from Vietnam. The previous spots, cities of Hoi An and Hue were nice and small, were as the capital of Vietnam brought us back middle of buzzing motorbikes, shouting cycklo men, and not to mention increased amount of pollution. However, Hanoi - besides a nice name borrowed from a band (or which way it was? ;)) the town is full of nice bakeries, French styles cafes and of course, here rests the legendary mister Ho Chi Min in his glass sargofagus.

Since we arrived here today after a cousy night bus trip, tomorrow seems to be a little bit blurry what comes to plans. The plane is anyways taking us at the day after tomorrow back to Bangkok and towards nice beach villa that Marjut has booked for the four of us. This would be probably last post from the cold and smoggy Hanoi and crazy Vietnam, before reaching Ko Samet island somewhere 1500 kilometres souther from here.

Again, time is flying. We have spent almost five days in Nha Trang, the best beach town in Vietnam. Although the longest stop in this trip suddenly appeared here, we haven’t spent a single moment lying on the beach and waiting for the perfect tanning. Not because we are already tanned, but we felt the world down under so facinating that we singed for a scuba diving course. Yesterday evening, after 3 days of watching videos, practising in the pool, and as a highlight, having 4 sea dives, licensed me as a PADI Open Water Diver. Just perfect.

As I have said maybe hundreds of times, these 4 weeks in countries, where travelling 600 km by bus takes almost 25 hours, are just not enough. However, life goes on and journey continues. Next way points will be hoi An and Hue, before reaching Hanoi at 18th of February. So far so good.