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.

My dear Friends here in Tokyo,

These four months, I have shared my time with you, have been maybe the best and most unforgettable time in my life. Although we all are leaving to our homes in different continents, or staying here in Japan were our hearts still belong to, I believe that the memories and the people will stay in our hearts rest of our life. And there is no that big place or a blackhole in the Earth, which could prevent us from seeing each other. Weather the reunion would be in Italy, Belgium, Canada, US, Finland, here in Japan, or middle of the Pacific Ocean.

But lets keep the flowers blossoming, and as Freddie Mercury once said: Show Must Go On. So now its my time to leave, my time to continue the journey. The journey i belong to. The journey where all my sweet and beautiful memories are coming from.

Thank you, and lots of kisses and hugs! You will stay in my heart forever.

Tajuan vihdoin lähdön kynnyksellä asuneeni hyvän ystäväni kanssa. Kuukauden samassa pienessä huoneessa. Huomaan kolmannen muuttaneen samaan rysään. Niinä pieninä oivalluksen hetkinä, en voi sanoa mitään. Olen hiljaisuudessa tyytyväinen elämäni vähiin sekunteihin.

Viimeiset hetket ystävieni kanssa. On absurdi tunne ajatella näkevänsä jonkun sillä hetkellä mahdollisesti viimeistä kertaa elämässään. Ei, ei eron tiellä, vain pakon sanelemana lentolippuina eri suunnille. Mutta Eurooppa ei kuitenkaan ole niin suuri, etten nopeasti rakkaiden ystävieni luokse voisi päästä. Ja koskaanhan ei tiedä, mistä ensi syksynä itseni löydän. Ehkä Rotterdamista. Ehkä kotoa. Ainakin tältä planeetalta.

Lähdin vielä kertaalleen kävelemään Tokion auringon paisteeseen, mukanani Negativelle viritetty soitin. En jaksa enää kummastella niitä tuhansia ihmeitä, katsella miljoonia naamoja. Olen kyllästynyt laukkuni pakkaamiseen, lähtemiseen. Niihin jokaiseen perjantaihin edellisen elämäni aikana. Ja tähän samaan konseptiin, pidemmällä matkalla. Mutta ehkä elämää ei ole tarkoitettu pysäytettäväksi paikoilleen. Ehkä kuulummekin tien päälle tai viidakkoon. Tai sitten Tokioon. Kotiin on kuitenkin aina kiva palata.