December 2008

Plus ca change, plus c’est la meme chose! I wonder if that is an accurate translation of ‘similarities in differences’. Even if it isn’t, the two thoughts together sum up for me how a fourteenth trip on roughly the same itinerary with a similar set of aims and objectives can turn out to be so dramatically different from all the rest, each of which was unique too. The Japanese version (again, maybe the nuance is slightly awry) is ichigo ichie also fits as once again I could have ‘first experiences’ (e.g. an earthquake at breakfast!): this is due to the skill of Mr Hasegawa and his team in creating wonderful variations on the basic theme and the delightful way in which he and Tomo guide the group through the packed programme providing something for everyone as the following reports will clearly show. Pacific Venture is eternally grateful to the Japanese Minsitry of Foreign Affairs for promoting this scheme and to staff there and in the Japanese Embassy in London, in particular Ms Inoue, who work tirelessly to ensure that all runs smoothly. Thank you to everyone who made the December 2008 trip such a success: happy reading!

Mary-Grace Browning

Reports