７月１３日（月曜日）２０２６
５ヶ月ぶりにボストンへ。前回は手術後間がなかったのでアメリカから帰った娘が同行してくれ、杖と娘を頼りに渡米しましたが今回は一人旅。早めに空港に着いてJALのさくらラウンジを初めて利用しました。中へ入るとカウンター向こうに人が並んでちょっとびっくり。上階は食事、下階は喫茶と軽食。夕方だったためかどちらも多くの人が利用していました。JALカードのランクによって無料で休憩と飲食ができるこの特典制度の利用は初めてです。興味津々で先ずはスパークリングワインとビーフカレーを少し、それに冷たいスープをとって席につきました。どれも美味しく、続いて中に餡がはいった抹茶菓子とカフェオレも楽しみました。
前回は遠いと感じた搭乗口までの距離がそれほどでもなかったのは、それだけ自分に力がついてきたのでしょう。搭乗を待っていると窓から地上を行き交う整備士の姿が見えました。ヘルメットをかぶった女性整備士の方も数人見られ頼もしく思いました。
機内では顔立ちが日本人でない客室乗務員が結構いて、最初の話しかけも英語だったので驚きましたが、乗客との対応や洗面所の清掃など昔ながらのJALの丁寧なサービスに感心しました。
しばらくボストンで家族と暮らします。留守にするため、カフェに来てくださったり、お弁当やマリンバ公演の申込みで電話を下さるお客様にご迷惑をおかけしますが、どうかしばらくお待ちくださるようお願い申し上げます。
I left for Boston for the first time in 5 months. Last time, since it was a few days after my surgery, I was with my daughter who came from the US to assist me. I could come to Boston with a cane and my daughter's assistance, but this time I had to manage everything by myself. I arrived at Narita Airport a few hours before the departure time of my flight, so I decided to use the JAL Sakura Lounge for the first time. It's a benefit system for the members of JAL credit card at the airport where you can rest and eat freely. First, I was overwhelmed at the entrance of the lounge, because many staff were standing over the counter, then they let me in after checking my boarding pass. Since it was early in the evening, both the dining area (upper level) and snack & drink area were mostly full of people. I took a glass of sparkling wine, a small amount of beef curry and cold soup. They were all very good! I also took two small matcha sweets and a cafe latte for dessert. I enjoyed everything.
Last time, I felt the distance to the gate was so far and it was very hard for me to walk, but this time I didn't feel that way and I appreciated that I gained much physical strength now. While I was waiting for boarding at the gate, I saw many mechanics who were checking the plane or walking on the ground from the window and I saw a few women with helmets which made me feel great.
After boarding, I saw a couple of cabin crew members who were not Japanese. Although I was a bit surprised when they first talked to me in English, the way of taking care of the passengers and keeping the restroom clean and neat were so nice as I expected.
I will be spending a couple of weeks with my family in Boston. I feel sorry for the people who visit my cafe while I am out or call to make a reservation for lunch or buy tickets for the marimba concert. I thank for their patience and sincerely ask those people to wait until I return to Japan.
