episode-8

A huge vertical curtain appeared over the West Lake,
Ha Noi. What do you think with squall?

Rain. Heavy rain. The power of the rain is different from that of Japan. The road in front of the cafe was filling up with water.
Fallen leaves, wood chips, and garbage are being washed away. Could the drains be clogged with trash?
As the water level increased I worry that the cafe will be flooded under the floor.
So this is a Vietnamese squall...
I am astonished at the force of the rain. Sometimes it rains all day, but sometimes it rains for an hour or so, then stops and the sun comes out.

It seems like the whole city of Hanoi took a shower.

The temperature has cooled a bit and the air is cleaner. The trash and fallen leaves on the edge of the road have been swept away.
I go outside when the rain stops on days like this.
I look for a motorcycle cab at my usual spot.
I am on my way to the Nguyen Chi Thanh Viaduct (cau vuot Vguyen Chi Thanh)❶. Going from Dong Da District (quan Dong Da), head to Nguyen Chi Thanh Street❷and head straight north, you will see it intersects with Kim Ma Street (duong Kim Ma)❸.It is about 100 meters long.
As we climb up the viaduct, the tall building of Lotte Hotel Hanoi comes into view on our left.
After a while, you will see the Japanese Embassy on your right. And at the end of the viaduct is the famous tourist spot, West Lake.

Once we entered the viaduct, I asked the cab to go faster and faster.
The air is cool and clear. It feels so good.
"Go, go, go, go!" I yelled, grabbing the driver's shoulder.
" I'm gonna do it!" I shouted loudly in Japanese.
Life in a foreign country is stressful.
I want to discharge it. The driver joined in and shouted something loud, too.

Well, have you ever heard of a movie called ET?
There is a scene where a child on a bicycle soars into the sky.
If only this motorcycle would soar from the highest point of the viaduct like in that scene...
The drop-off point is West Lake. It is a famous tourist spot in Hanoi.
Jump out of the motorcycle and pull the parachute strap on your shoulder when start falling. A vertical banner is attached to the top of the parachute. A huge banner is flying over the West Lake. Really huge.
The banner says, "Welcome! ARIGATOU Cafe" (xin kinh chao quy khach, chao mung quy khach den voi Arigato Cafe).
The rain gone and people on the shore of West Lake were looking at the huge banner with surprised faces and shouting cheers.

When it rains, I look outside from the second floor of the cafe and dream about this every time.

Whenever I have time, I go for a walk. The vastness of the water and the sky above it soothes me and afterwards I return home.