2018.04.18
今が仕合わせ
佐藤賢太郎

 今年初めてのウーファーがオーストラリアからやって来た。彼女は60歳の女性です。昨年も日本にやって来ていますが、初めてウーファーとしての経験です。ウーファーのほとんどんが若い方であり、60歳代は珍しいのです。もしあなたが観光目的以外で外国に行くとしたらどうでしょうか。ガイドが居なくて、言葉も通じないところに行けるでしょうか?

會津地方や阿賀町でも豊実がどこにあるか知らない人が多いのに、オーストラリア人の彼女がここ過疎の豊実をどうして選んだのかを聞きました。
「私たちがオーガニック生活、アートをしている、自然が美しい」と言いました。豊実駅に到着するなり彼女は静かなところだと言います。

 そして御昼ごはんをスタートに、家内の作る食事に感嘆をするのです。彼女は私たちの生き方にも感動してくれました。   もちろん家内はあるものの食材で、何を作るかを毎回考えてくれます。創造です。何せ3食で終わりという訳ではありません。そして我が家の食膳には世界の料理が出てきます。これにはNさんもウーファーも喜びます

ところで私は豊かな生き方というについて、こう考えています。第一に好奇心がある事、気力がある事、その支えとなるのが健康であることです。
  
  そして、人間関係が良い、食事がおいしい、さまざまな条件を組み合わせながら理想を実現できるなどのことがあげられます。
 私は過疎地域に住みながら、日替わりのように、違う人と頻繁に会います。

   遅くなりましたがオーストラリアのウーアファーの名前はスーザンと言います。彼女ととても意気投合しています。私たちはこのように世界の人と、この年になって友達になれるということが仕合わせであります。人間とは遠い外国の人であっても、共通する価値観があるものだとしみじみ思います。

   それにオーストラリアの彼女はNさんの仕事ぶりを見て気を使っています。
例えば、薪割がうまくいっていないとみれば、助けに行きます。こうしたことを思うと、若いという可能性だけでなく、歳を重ねた人間の力、素晴らしさを感じます。
  こうしたことを、今、体験できることは人生経験のトータルと言えると思います。

 

Monday 16thApril

arrived by train to be greeted by Kentaro, who took my bag and guided me to his home. My first impression of the village was of and peace. It is a tiny village, nestled below the mountains, alongside a gently flowing river. I was delighted to see sakura trees in bloom, and many ready to burst into bloom. I was so very happy. This is my first experience wwooffing and I had no idea what to expect> Kentaro soon made me feel at ease, with his thoughtful, friendly nature> I He introduced me to his wife and young student Hozuki. Makiko had cooked the most amazing lunch, with produce from their garden and their own grown organic brown rice. I was surprised that she had cooked one of my favourite foods to cook, Tortilla De Patata, with potatoes they grow themselves. It was the best I have tasted.

Even though there was a language barrier, I soon had a sense I was in the company of two very special people, so very happy and at one with nature.

After lunch Kentaro showed me where I was to sleep. Imagine my delight when I realized I was to sleep in his studio, surrounded by his extraordinary sculptures. I felt so very fortunate they had accepted me to work with them.

After lunch we set to work. I was so happy to be out in nature, surrounded by mountains and the sound of rushing water below, and I was very happy to do my best with each task that Kentaro set for me.

Makiko cooked the most delicious feast which would be found in any 5 star restaurant. Once again I felt honoured to be in the company of these warm welcoming people. Makiko is a first class chef, and Kentaro a talented, wise, thoughtful artist, organic farmer and philosopher. Makiko has the most delightful sense of humour, and truly cares about people.

 

Day 2

 After a magnificent breakfast, we set off for a full days work.

I enjoyed every aspect of the physical work, from pruning kiwifruit vines, to chopping wood, to lugging wood to the fire and so many more physical chores. It was hard work, and I have never been happier.

Kentaro does not expect more of you than you can handle, and I appreciated the fact he does not micro manage and trusts you have the ability to finish the chores he sets you,

He such a hard working man with so much energy and never stops working.

At the end of the day, we had a bath, in what must be the most beautiful onsen I have ever been in. How wonderful it was to slide into that warm water, and gaze out over a pond, framed by a sakura in full bloom.

Dinner was waiting for use, another feast for both the eyes a

nd the soul.

 

Day 3

It was raining, but not cold. We trudged through mud and stacked up logs for the bath fire.

We also helped prepare his home for the oncoming spring weather.

I was prepared for another day of chopping wood, in the rain and whatever else Kentaro asked of me, when he told us to get dressed as we were going sightseeing.

What an absolute joy, the be on the road exploring the beautiful countryside and so many sakura in bloom.

Kentaro and Makiko are so incredibly generous as well, in so many ways. They are salt of the earth people, and I will never forget  this experience.

Osaka arigato gozaimus Kentaro and Makiko, for accepting me into your home, making me feel so welcome, and allowing me to learn about your culture, and more importantly about myself.