Dec 25 2007
Holiday Wishes
Like Hiro from “Heroes” I closed my eyes and the next thing I knew I was standing downtown in Manhattan, the yellow cabs bustling past and all the noise and hubub of New York all around me. I was back in America! It’s been a long way since all the craziness of the tragedy and my refusal to have anything to do with this country. But family is family and you can’t be angry forever. It was time to return and take stock. So here I am at my mother’s apartment in uptown Manhattan, trying to get over jetlag, but joyous at the empinada I ate yesterday evening and the friendliness of all the people on the streets, but most of all to see my mother again. Living across the ocean from her really makes distances hard. And such a relief to open the door and see her standing there.
The big surprise was immigration at Kennedy Airport. Instead of a reenactment of the horror stories that everyone around the world is grumbling about, going through immigration and customs was actually pleasurable. The immigration officer was playing Christmas music on his iPod, with little speakers to fill his cubicle. He gave me a big smile and was a friendly as can be. He asked about Japan at this time of year and wondered if it was cold and people celebrated. Then a song came on the iPod, one by Josh Groban, and the officer lit up like a Christmas tree candle.
“Have you heard of him?” he asked. “Man, a voice like an angel! You’ve got to listen to this.” Then, in spite of all the exhausted passengers waiting on line behind us, he turned up the sound and closed his eyes as the music flooded the immigration hall. I stared at him as if I had entered Wonderland. This was the fearsome American immigration?
Within fifteen minutes we had made it out to the arrival lounge. Ten minutes later a shuttle bud driver drove up and asked us if we wanted to go to the city. Two other passengers, a Japanese woman traveling alone and a Colombian who lived in Atlantic City were huddled in the van together, heading for Port Authority in Manhattan. Bobbing to Salsa on the van CD player we all laughed and shared stories of Japan and working there. I had forgotten how easily Americans speak to each other.
With a quiet night of sleep behind me and a rather warm, sunny Christmas Eve morning to wake up to, the start has been wonderful. I guess as always it is important to just take the steps out of your door and let things come as they may. My brother arrives from Boston this evening and then we can really start laughing and enjoying each others’ company.
I wish all of you a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. I hope you have warm and memorable time with your own families. Deep peace and quiet hearts to everyone.
love,
Miguel
How very wonderful that you are with your mother and brother, and the journey went so smoothly and happily!! Have a beautiful Christmas and a very happy New Year, Miguel.
Merry Christmas, to you and yours! From us on the Left Coast!
how absolutely wonderful
for you, Miguel
my this very spirit continue
throughout the new year
and beyond
for you
Merry Christmas, friend!
I’m glad you are with loved ones.
Merry Christmas, Miguel.
Safe travels…
MIguel! This is wonderful, wonderful to hear! Have a fantastic time with your family.
Merry Christmas Miguel. I hope you have a wonderful visit with your family. And I like the snow falling on this page—nice touch!
Merry Christmas, Miguel. I’m glad to hear that immigration went so smoothly for you. A friend of my brother’s got held up and humiliated in immigration for over an hour a few days before Christmas, but that was Miami, and he was from Honduras.
Miguel, this post of yours made me very happy. Thank you so much for your good wishes on my blog, and I return them to you – enjoy your stay in New York, and may you experience the best, warmest, friendliest and kindest side of America during this visit.
Miguel:
So happy to hear the lightness in your voice. Hope you enjoy everything about your visit and that there is even some real snow for you.
I loved your Christmas message; thanks so much for remembering me. :)
Happiness now and in the New Year to you and your Mom and brother. Don’t forget to store up on hugs now while you can. :)
Enjoy the Christmas holidays and the warmth of your family!
Dear Miguel, great news, you sound very happy! Have a great time with your family. Wishing you warmth, love and many blessings from the other side of the continent! (you are always welcomed to make a little detour on your way back to Japan!)
A Happy New Year to you!
It sounds like you had a wonderful time in the US – and the story about the immigration official is great! I’m glad that your welcome to the US was so nice…
All the Best in 2008!
PS: There seems to be a problem with your homepage – I got a directory listing instead of the blog when I went to butuki.com.
Miguel,
are you the same Miguel who went to the University of Oregon and lived in the dorms and we had a small group of good friends and we were obsessed with the same girl (girls)? Then we lost track of you. It has been a looooong time
Let me know I’d like to catch up.
I see your still writing great stuff
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