8:00 a.m. I woke up anxious, not knowing how I would get from Paris Orly Airport to the hotel.
I took one last shower at Elena's house and changed clothes. I took my medicine just in case. When I went downstairs, Elena hadn't woken up yet, so I went to wake her.
Last breakfast
The last breakfast: coffee, a pain au chocolat, a baguette, a tangerine, butter, and jam.
Ten days flew by. Ten days spent seeing in the New Year with Elena. It became an unforgettable memory in my life. I don't have a millimeter of regret. When I go back to Japan I'll probably wonder if it was a dream. But it wasn't a dream — it was real. I got here by my own effort. I was blessed with Elena's kind, warm family and was able to spend a wonderful New Year.
Her family was the most comfortable of all the families who have hosted me so far. Although as a family there are only Elena and her mother. Then Dominique, with his big presence, joined in and balanced things out. Elena's mother reminded me so much of my grandmother that I really felt a closeness to her.
Truly, I was blessed with a wonderful family and able to spend a week in France. I'm deeply grateful and will never forget it. Thank you. Elena and Elena's mother.
While I was eating breakfast, Elena was taking stomach medicine and looked really miserable. I was sleepy, eating my baguette drowsily. Maybe Elena had a sore throat; she was eating honey very slowly.
That Elena felt so beautiful. Today she was wearing a fashionable black sweater, making her even more beautiful. Jazz played in the background — Nat King Cole's 'Walkin' My Baby Back Home.' What an elegant morning. Listening to jazz like this and living this kind of life, I thought, you become a very deep, interesting person.
To the airport
Eating a tangerine, I couldn't stop pacing because I was worried about getting from Orly Airport to the hotel. When I said, 'I'm actually nervous,' Elena said, 'I know.' A taxi would cost about 40 euros, so I wanted to somehow use public transport.
I withdrew 250 euros from the ATM and then headed to the airport. Elena's mother drove. The very first time we met was at Blagnac International Airport. From there I talked with her mother and arrived at Elena's house. Now it's from Elena's house to the airport. The best time is coming to an end.
Her mother said she was waiting in the parking lot, so this was where we said goodbye. I went to her and shook her hand firmly even though I had COVID; I told her, 'Thank you very much.' 'I'm grateful for everything.' I gave the foie gras bird figurine I bought in Sarlat-la-Canéda as a gift. One for my own home, one for Elena's mother. If she puts it on display at home, it will build a family bond.
I also handed her the letter I had written last night. For Elena I had written a lot on both sides of an A4 sheet in tiny handwriting about two-thirds the size of my pinky nail. I wrote so much of my feelings that I don't really remember exactly what I wrote.
I shook her mother's hand once more. I told her, 'Next time I'll bring my grandmother,' and we headed to the airport.
Saying goodbye to Elena
I went to the check-in counter with Elena. Air France allowed carry-on up to 12 kilograms. I had checked in online, but I still received a paper ticket.
Finally I hugged Elena and said, 'Thank you so much.' I told her I'd be lonely. I hoped that the next time we'd meet would be when she comes to Japan or after her graduate school is decided and I can go visit her there.
At the end I held Elena's hand and shouted, 'Byebyeeeee!' We waved and said goodbye.
They scanned my ticket and I went into the airport. I thought about writing in my diary, but my head felt heavy so I called a friend.
From Toulouse to Paris
Boarding time came and I got on the plane. There were hardly any people today; the back was almost empty. I was sitting in the very last row, so the flight attendant said, 'You can move wherever you like.' I asked, 'Which side can you see the Eiffel Tower on?' and when they said the right, I moved to the right.
I was sleepy and fell asleep, but about 15 minutes later the descent announcement came. I couldn't sleep at all. The weather was awful and rainy, so the Eiffel Tower was only faintly visible.
Paris alone
I arrived at Orly Airport. When I looked up the hotel's address, it was at Nation station, the terminus of the green line. I bought a bus ticket and got on. I was tired so I was glad to have a seat. In about 20 minutes we reached the city center, and from there I took the metro.
I couldn't find the metro entrance and it started to rain. When I asked someone at a kiosk, they spoke English. I had the stereotype that Parisians don't smile and don't speak English, but that wasn't the case.
I had been on guard in the metro, but there were no pickpockets and it was normal. Paris metro rides are very short. The buildings are very beautiful, but with the terrible weather, so far I think Toulouse is much prettier.
I arrived at the hotel. My room was on the top bunk of a bunk bed, there was no kitchen, and bringing in food or drink wasn't allowed. There was no coworking space either, so I went to the nearby Burger King. I ordered the L set burger for 5.8 euros. It was incredibly cheap.
