We have arrived at Kashimidai by Shinkansen and have been welcomed in to my Cousin Colin`s home with his Wife Miyuki and their children Allison and Rikuu. What a wonderful reunion as we have not seen one another since he moved to Japan six years ago, since our wedding In May 2006. I am so glad that Colin and his family are doing well since the earthquake and tsunami of March 2011. Colin recounted the tale of his experience and it was litterally a cigarette that saved his life when the earthquake hit. He was working on the coast and though he says it was not the earthquake that caused so much damage, as they happen all the time, but the destruction of the tsunami caused him to run for higher ground and watch as the waves swept away hospitals and homes. It took him days to make it home to his family who were safe, and he says it was a very difficult time for the people here, who worried about running water, food and electricity. A year after the disaster he says that life is back to normal.

We are looking forward to the next few days in Kashimidai where we will spend time together at an outdoor onsen, a temple, and we will feast on an outdoor BBQ with Colin and Miyuki`s family. I am lucky to be seeing my cousin, and to be here in Japan.