From Paris to Tokyo 7/10/2015

[Cathieh]

On the 3rd of October, it was the first time I was flying to Asia, first time I was attending one of your fan meets on the 7th. Because there was no fan meet in Europe for 3 years, because you are going for 18 months, I thought I have to go. It was my dream to come to you. To listen to your voice, to be in the same space as you, at last. I dropped everything I was doing, overcame my fear of flying and just went to Japan. When I landed , I thought I was in another world,  I had cried when the plane went over Korea before arriving in Tokyo. I thought, I am on the same continent as you. I had been meaning to go there and to Korea too. Korea I will come as soon as you are back, to your first fan meet in Seoul!  Being there in person, instead of watching the fan meets on videos, queuing for hours to buy some photos of you, I,  who never collect anything, meeting new friends from Japan, Korea, Taiwan, women of all sorts, united for you in one place, so friendly with me  ( I was the only European there) who was a bit lost and emotional. Just seeing the giant poster of you outside the venue, brought tears to my eyes,  entering the venue full of Romings, only there for you. My friend Yoko a fan of yours helped me all the time. We sat together waiting for you to come on the stage and I cried my heart out when you started singing Melody, seing the tears in your heart as you were singing. Your voice, so crystal clear live, I was far up at the first fan meet, but closer down at the second at night. I danced when you started to sing Cinderela Girl with such joy, filling my own heart with so much love. I was looking around,  an old lady behind me, was crying non stop when you started  to sing 'First love' , another friend was religiously listening, silently,  and I cried so much , cried because I was happy, cried because, you were so beautiful, cried because I was finally there. Nothing in life can replace real life experiences, and for you even more so. The beautiful variations of your voice, the intensity of your physical presence, your smiles and tears, you unique sensitive soul, the way you fiddle with your microphone , your beautiful elegant hands , how you looked at us all, your soul so pure, your passion , this was all so overwhelming for me. I was still crying when you left. Alas our tickets were not drawn to meet you later, but I know one day I will be able to say hello. You are there in my heart, and will remain till you are back.

I also want to thank you for this magic day and all I have seen in Japan after, the beautiful temples, the gardens, a zen tea room in a little hidden street, watching old ladies walking around with umbrellas for the sun, meeting lovely people , praying in a tiny temple, making a book with an old bookbinder in Kyoto, using old kimonos, listening to the sound of water in a temple, getting lost all the time and being helped by people, reading a marvellous book about the "Museum of the heart beats" ( yes it does exist ) on the Teshima Island, so many connections and discoveries, all thanks to you, going over the artic on the way back to France and thinking I have done it!  All this extraordinary trip thanks to you.

I am now back in France, watching Takyu and thinking you are one of a kind, I am lucky to be momentarily on the same planet as you.  I am your mother's age probably as my daughter is 28, but never mind this is the way it is. I will tell you more before you go next Sunday, but I want to say:  time will fly my dear Seok Woo and we will all be there when you come out. Cathieh France ( Rowoon France Support)