AZALEA BLOOMING IN FRONT OF TSUKUBA`S OKURA HOTEL

Of all the various and numerous flowers which bloom in Japan in late spring and early summer, it is probably the azalea (TSUTSUJI, 躑躅) which most commonly meets the eye- especially in towns and cities. This is because this hardy, flowering evergreen shrub is not only found commonly in private gardens and around homes ( in the form of hedges), it has also been planted extensively in most parks, in front of office buildings, hotels, government facilities, and most outstandingly- along roads and highways ( meaning that it must be quite pollution resistant as well).

Thus, coming to any Japanese city in May or June, you will most likely find your path lined with bushes bursting with red, white, and especially reddish-pink blossoms. If you are walking or cycling and waiting at an intersection for the light to change, take a look at the azalea bush which is most probably blooming beside you. Like me, you might find it to be like a dazzling, fluorescent coral-reef, which should give you a good boost of energy for when the light finally does turn green.

Azalea blossoming in front of a research institute in Tsukuba

For the ancient Japanese poets, azaleas, especially those which grew wild  dotting mountainsides with patches of brilliant pink and red, represented the flame of burning passion. Here is a poem from a classical anthology ( The Kokinshu) in which the rock azalea is used as an image to represent unspoken romantic yearning: 思いづるときわの山の岩つつじいわねばこそあれ恋しきものを　(OMOITSURU TOKIWA NO YAMA NO IWA TSUTSUJI IWANEBA KOSO ARE KOISHIKI MONO WO) -

which I translate as: Memories of love, like wild azaleaS bursting into bloom on evergreen mountains- my stony silence pulsates with yearning for you

AZALEA BLOOMING IN THE OUTER GARDEN OF THE IMPERIAL PALACE IN TOKYO

More than a thousand years ago, when poems like this were composed, azaleas, which are a species native to Japan, could almost exclusively be found growing wild in the mountains. In those days of yore, it was two times a year that the Japanese mountainsides turned red- in autumn with the changing leaves of the maple trees- and in early summer with the blooming of the azaleas.

In the Edo Period (1600-1868), the popularity of azaleas among flower-lovers skyrocketed and breeders developed many varieties ( there are now in fact many thousands) and numerous temples and gardens around Japan became famous as azalea viewing spots.

AZALEA AROUND TSUKUBA CENTER

When I ask Japanese friends if they have any special memories or feelings in connection with tsutsuji ( azalea), many tell me that when they were kids they used to pull off the blossoms and suck out the nectar. These same people then go on to say that they wouldnt do this any more as they would be worried about pesticides, acid rain contamination OR RADIATION.

Scouring several texts on Japanese folk customs and beliefs, I have found that in past ages the azalea blossoms had many special uses. First, as they bloomed in late spring, they were strongly connected with the begining of the AGRICULTURAL CYCLE. On the 8th day of the 4th lunar month ( uzuki yo-ka, 卯月八日), azalea blossoms would be attached to rods which were set upright as antenna ( yorishiro) to attract the gods who help things grow in the fields.

Azalea could also be burned on that same day in order to help locate any missing persons. The direction in which the smoke drifted would indicate the direction in which to begin the search.

AZALEA BUSHES OUTSIDE THE OKURA HOTEL AT TSUKUBA CENTER

Also, since there is great variation from year to year in the extent to which the azalea bushes are covered with blossoms （with there sometimes being only a few flowers while in other years the entire shrub is engulfed in color）, people used the azalea`s blossoming patterns to predict that years upcoming weather. In northern Ibaraki Prefecture, azalea with abundant blossoms meant that there would be a lot of lightning in that year. In other parts of Japan, a similar system was used for predicting  the amount of snowfall in that upcoming winter

(Dont expect your Japanese friends to have heard of these folk beliefs, however. I have been asking around, and it seems that they are a thing of the past.)

Still, there are more azaleas around now than there have ever been. They add lots of brilliant color to Japan`s cityscapes. Don`t just drive by- give them a closer look!

Mt. Tsukuba is a famous place to enjoy azalea (you can see advertisements promoting azalea viewing there on TX trains in this season. But as I have pointed out in this post- you can enjoy azalea just about everywhere in Tsukuba at this time of year.

AZALEA BEHIND THE MT. TSUKUBA SHRINE

The hamlet of O-Suna (大砂) in Tsukuba was ravaged by the tornado of March 6th- but there has been no serious media coverage of what happened there, nor has there been much support given by volunteers

Because I live in Hojo, which has been featured in the news everyday, everyone has been asking me if my family and I and our house are alright. My friend Mr. Shiina, however, whose village of O-suna was badly hit by the tornado is NEVER asked or given any sympathy or show of concern- simply because no one knows that the storm passed his way

For five days now the Japanese press has been saturating every media in the country with images and stories of a tornado-torn Tsukuba City. Nearly all of the photos,  video footage and interview material have been coming from the old town of Hojo, near the foot of Mt. Tsukuba ( where the I live). For the first few days after the twister struck on May 6th, leaving a path of destruction in its wake, the media presence in Hojo was ridiculously strong-   seemingly outnumbering on the street those seriously affected by the disaster. The number of volunteers rushing to the town with food, offers of assistance (including massage services for the affected) has continued to grow. When I came back to town this evening I went to pick up our relief dinners ( which tonight came from the kitchen of Tsukuba`s classiest hotel- The Okura) and was heartilly greeted by dozens of blue-jacketed volunteers ( whose ranks have been growing by the day).

All of us here in Tsukuba are very gratefull for the support shown by these volunteers, and many of those who witnessed the deadly cyclone either from up close or afar, were probably also very happy to have their stories printed in the papers or to have been given the chance to tell them directly to the TV audience. Though badly battered and mourning the loss of a Junior High School aged boy, Hojo has been basking in the limelight for almost a week- something which has definitely lifted spirits.

The only problem with all this is that Hojo was NOT the only area affected by this tornado. Forming apparently in Tsukuba`s Yoshinuma (吉沼), a neighborhood of grand old houses which was once part of the Date Domain (of Sendai), the storm started doing its damage there- weaving its way for 15 kilometers at a speed of about 70 kilometers per hour. Before passing through Hojo and then petering out, the twister had passed through the village of O-suna (大砂), the Hokubu Kogyo Danchi Industrial Park, and the village of Mimori (水守). In each of these places the damage caused was considerable.

The rice fields of Ozuna are still badly littered with debris

Today I tried to trace the entire course of the tornado on the ground. This was not a difficult task at all since the trail was clearly marked by fallen trees, twisted fences, gutted houses, debris littered rice fields- and the blue sheets which were quickly put over damaged roof-tops by home-owners trying to prevent rain damage.

Throughout the 15 km course there is serious damage to be found to homes, fields, and large company buildings. It was my impression that the worst situation was in the little hamlet of O-suna (大砂) where as in Hojo, clusters of homes ( and pear orchards in the case of O-suna) were violently savaged. The difference between Hojo and O-suna ( and the other affected areas), however, is that outside of Hojo there were no volunteers and no press presence-  just small groups of relatives stoically clearing away debris with shell-shocked home-owners gazing on in stupors.

In other words, the mood in the other affected areas is completely different from that in Hojo, which seemed to be energized or rejuvinated- spurred into action by the tragic events. In O-suna and Yoshinuma there is more of a sense of despondancy, shock, and (it seems to me) lonliness. This has probably come to be as a result of being virtually ignored by the rest of Japan in their time of need.

I call for Tsukuba City and the various groups running the volunteer effort to send people into these IGNORED, out-of-the-spotlight disaster zones and at least show some support ( though actual help might be refused- for the same reason such a thing happens in Hojo). It seems to me that the people in these areas really need to know that someone cares.

Why did this situation come about? Well, first of all, the one tragic though dramatic death that took place ( under very photogenic circumstances) occurred in Hojo, as did a great concentration of similarly photogenic damage. This drew the press. The reporters also found the necessary facilities and parking areas from which to operate in Hojo which is an actual town as oppossed the other affected areas which are country hamlets with very narrow streets.

I think that the relief effort has been very impressive so far in Hojo town ( including, most surprisingly, the work of the Tokyo Electric Power Company). I am just saying that those who have been affected by the storm and do not live in the center-stage and spotlight that Hojo has become should be getting the same level of care and support.

The Japanese pear (nashi) orchards in Ozuna Tsukuba have been severely ( and possibly fatally) damage by the recent tornado

The tornado of May 6th left an easy to follow 15 km trail from Yoshinuma to Hojo- marked by fallen trees,twisted fences, gutted houses and blue-sheet covered roof-tops

Each morning the number of volunteers who have come to help the people of Hojo has been increasing ( here they are gathering in the morning)- I saw no such people in Yoshinuma, Ozuna or Mimori

More volunteers arrive in Hojo

Assembling in the morning before clean-up work begins (Hojo)

The line of private citizen volunteers who have officially registered to help out in Hojo await their assignments- were any sent to the other affected areas?

ON MOTHER`S DAY VOLUNTEERS SUPPLIED FLOWERS FOR KIDS TO GIVE THEIR MOMS IN HOJO

LONG LINES FOR THE (FIRST RATE) RELIEF MEALS PROVIDED BY VOLUNTEERS IN HOJO

A trail of blue sheets sprawling off into the distance mark the path which the tornado took

A house gutted by the March 6th tornado

Blue sheets mark the twister`s path

Clearing the rubble..... before rebuilding

1 Comments

• At May 14, 2012, Mamoru Shimizu wrote:

  Avi-san

  You reviewed very important aspect. I always try to tell me in mind, there are still many people, who are still in bad condition after 3/11 earthquake- tsunami, refugee from area near destroyed Fukushima-atomic-power plant, people suffered heavy rain in Nara-Wakayama prefectures last year

  Also we should continually care people affected from Indonesian big Tsunami, people in south Sudan affected drought and civil war etc…….

  Climate change? Human population on the earth would almost double to 10billion until the end of 21st century!.!...….foods, energy!?.....(wolf-cub)

The block that I live on was totally devastated by a tornado which passed through our town yesterday

A city operated housing complex ( about 250 meters south of my house)- in which refugees from last year`s earthquake and nuclear power plant accident were living !- now looks bombed out after being hit by the tornado. These poor people must surely be thinking that some divine forces are out to get them.

Cars were thrown about like tumble-weed as the tornado made its way through town- note the green Buddhist funerary object on the right- the town was eerily strewn with such objects (used at Japanese funerals) after a shop dealing in them was gutted in the storm

Yesterday morning, May 6, 2012, we left home in a good spirits. My niece from New York is here with us and we were going to Tokyo for the day to see sumo. When we left the door, my little son, who at 2-years of age can barely string together three words, for the first time is his young life constructed a  real sentence. I will probably never forget it. He said: Its a nice day today, Avi!

That`s how glorious the weather was- at about 11pm. When we parked the car 30 minutes later at Tsukuba Center, we noticed that the monthly natural food fair ( the Tsuku-Ichi) was being held in the park across from the station. We decided to take a little stroll and check it out ( mostly so my neice could see one of Tsukuba`s iconic features). It was good seeing old friends and sampling some of the tasty and healthful goodies they had there. But the wind suddenly started picking up. I even noticed that City Councilman Iigarashi, the founder of the market event, was urging all the vendors to take down the  canopies from their stalls. At that time I remember feeling that those gusts were a bit ominous, but I could not have imagined what was brewing in the air.

A few minutes later I observed yet again what I now realize was a foreshadowing of what would unfold ( or what was in fact unfolding right at that very moment) as after having boarded the train and departed, we had emerged from the tunnel leading out of the underground station. I wanted to show my niece  Mt. Tsukuba from afar. The problem was, I couldnt find it. I looked in its general direction and saw nothing but  dark shadow.

I said: Hey, its raining where we live. Its a good thing we are off to Tokyo!

Tsukuba did not cross our minds again at all for the next few hours, as we were caught up in the excitement of the first day of Sumo`s Summer Basho (tournament)............

Then the calls started come in:

Are you ok? Are you all safe? Where are you?

I answered: Of course, we`re ok!  We`re in Tokyo! Whats going on?

There`s been a big tornado in Hojo. Haven`t you seen the news!

Well. naturally, I was surprised to hear this, but I remained unfazed. I mean, what kind of tornadoes were there in Japan? I had only known of two incidences ( though both in the Tsukuba area)- one, at the Sports Festival ( Undo-Kai)  of Teshirogi Junior High School in which a tent was lifted off the ground, and the other-  a bit more serious,  a little twister which did a bit of damage in the Kamitakatsu Area of Tsuchiura. Reflecting on this I continued to be nonchallant about this so-called tornado, even as the calls of concern from friends and acquaintances kept coming in ( until it was impossible to focus on the sumo anymore).

It was not until we had  gotten back to Hojo later that night that we realized the full scale of the disaster ( and how we probably should have left Ryogoku immediately and headed back home as soon as we had  heard the news.)

Having been let through the police barricades outside the town center, we drove down a street which should have been as familiar to us as our own faces ( since we walk down it every day). But where our neighbors houses should have been- there was nothing....... only a full moon shining bright.

We just could not believe it. The little old town that we had become so strongly attached to-  had been destroyed.

(To be continued....... this is not the time for me to being writing blog posts! The whole town is out cleaning and fixing up. More details soon!

Arriving back at our town (Hojo) late at night we found scenes like this

This house (which I pass by every day on my way to the bus) was lifted up and flipped over. Tragically, a boy who lived here was killed.

The concrete base of this house clearly visible (now on top of it)- I am sure the structure is now being investigated as to whether or not it met legal construction standards

Pulling into our drive it was a relief to find our house standing in one piece. But before checking for damage I jumped out of the car and ran up to our neighbors` house to see how they were. Though the house was dark ( most of the town was blacked-out) I rapped on the door and called out. Mrs. Shirai emerged almost right away and told us what she had experienced earlier in the day.

She said that she had been working at the FUREAI KAN, the rest-stop for visitors which is located in the center of the old commercial strip. First she heard a deafening noise- what another neighbor of mine later described as being like a group of fighter-jets at an air-show. Hearing the defeaning ruckus, she looked out through the front glass and saw what seemed like the whole town exploding. As she and the others with her retreated towards the back room, the window she had just been looking through shattered- and it seemed to her as if there was a tornado inside the room- with dedris and object of all sorts whipping around madly. In a few seconds ( which seemed like minutes) the FUREIAI KAN and all the shops alongside it had been stripped of windows, walls and roofs. Most of what was inside also ended up for far from where it had been.

But fortunately, Shirai-San`s house was like ours- almost unscathed. You see, our houses were just off the monster twister`s path- and despite the fact that we had no electric power, we did have flash-lights. So we did not, like most other residents of the town, have to go sleep at the shelters which have been set up ( in fact at about 11 pm a crew from Asahi Television which had apparently seen light coming from inside our house came to interview us as to why we had not sought refuge).

After making sure my family could settle in at our house, I set out in the dark, to survey as best as I could under those conditions, the damage. Any relief that I had felt in finding our place intact, gave way to a sense of loss and horror. Just a little walk to the east brought me to a section which looked not very different from the scenes we saw of last year`s tsunami damage. What did remain of the houses there were only their frames. Concrete utility poles and large trees were knocked over, car windows were smashed- debris was everywhere.

Some powerfull lights running on portable generators were shining bright at an intersection along the main commercial street ( the SHO-TEN GAI). I headed that way and when I got there I found a group of volunteers who were distributing food ( delicious chicken curry prepared by the Indian Restaurant Young Guns), and saw that work was already underway to get the power back ( the people at the Tokyo Electric Power Company seem to be making extra efforts in order to make up for their responsibility in last year`s nuclear power plant accident).

A concrete utility pole snapped in two

On the morning of the 7th, I walked over to the library to recharge my phone- I found the building occupied by troops of the SDF

The heavy tops of these stone lanterns at the Ho-an Ji Temple were lifted off by the storm!

Wandering about among the ruins, in a daze, zombie-like, I staggered back home, turned off my flashlight, and went to sleep.

I awakened with the first light of dawn, shook the sleep out of my head, and set out once again to the streets. I was not the only one up. But more than the few locals who had slept at their homes, there were the tv crews, city officials, and curiosity seekers roaming the streets. I ran to the homes of friends and acquaintances to see if they were ok or not. I spoke with some people, mostly elderly about their experiences. Though they must have been shaken up, even the people who had lost their homes did not show any despondancy- the clean up was beginning, And as the day wore on, the pace, intensity and number of those involved in debris clearing and other usefull activities seemed to continue to grow unto it got dark ( and well into the night).

By late afternoon there were people on every damaged rooftop, groups of people in every debris scattered yard and a truck with professional crew beside every fallen utility pole.

There were also the kind people who came out of concern for friends and acquaintances- they brought with them emergency supplies, gifts, and most importantly an encouraging smile and a show of concern. ( the word used for visitng victims of disasters is the same as that used for visiting the sick- OMIMAI.

Besides those doing USEFUL work, there were the reporters. I have never seen so many, - interviewing nearly everyone and filming just about everything (some friends called to tell me they saw me on tv, caught on some footage walking around)- but not lifting a hand to help out. Even when a ninety year old woman passed by with a cartfull of heavy and sharp debris they found this as an opportunity to get some good footage rather than help out.

Helicopters, most probably belonging to tv stations, were hovering over the town all day, with there sometimes being several over the area at one time.

But the most impressive presence in our devastated town today, at least in terms of numbers, must certainly have been the type we could call the curiousity seeker. There were countless of them, and an amazing variety of cameras could be seen in their possession. As one foreigner who had brought his family out to Hojo for the day told me: My kids have only ever seen disaster scenes like this on tv, I wanted to give them the chance to see the real thing!

A powerfull and extremely rare tornado passed down the main commercial street of the old town of Hojo, Tsukuba

My neighbors houses ( about 100 meters to the east) were stripped bare

There is no doubt that the worst news of the day was that of the death of a Junior High School age boy whose house was literally lifted up, and flipped over. After this murderous act, the twister  crossed route 125 and ran into an apartment complex run by the city. In the parking lot there cars and trucks were tossed about like toys and all the windows in one of the buildings were blasted out. Looking at all the large and heavy debris which was hurled about, sometimes to great distances, it was hard to believe that there was only one fatality related to this tornado.

The good folks from the Young Guns Indian Restaurant cooked up a big batch of chicken curry to distribute to tornado victims ( as part of an offical relief team)

Tornado damage in Hojo, Tsukuba

Holes were torn through metal sheets

Still, plenty of damage was caused by flying objects- in my house the water heater out back was smashed and put out of service by a big chunk of wood. The roads, yards, canals, and rice fields were all carpeted with this debris. So I repeat what I have just said- it is a miracle that many more people were not seriously injured or killed.

The shell of a house (which stands about 100 meters from my own)

Windows were blasted out and roofs and wall stripped clean off

Just after the disaster struck the Junior Chamber International (JCI) was on the scene distributing food. By the 5th day their presence has grown to the dozens of blue jacketed volunteers

I first joined my neighbors in clearing our local ( and not very serious) debris. When we were satisfied with how our undamaged part of the city looked, I walked a hundred meters east and asked if I could help one family clean out their debris. I worked with about 6 other guys ( all of them young and strong) and with very little talking we started loading a truck with the shattered remains of the houses that sit in one badly devastated compound.

All around me was work. People in each yard, high up on the roofs and electric wires and in all kinds of working vehicles. The throngs of people elicited images in my mind of Hojo`s old glory days when the streets teemed with crowds of shoppers and everywhere was hustle and bustle.

A NOTE FOR THOSE WHO WANT TO HELP OUT

One thing which must be noted, however, for anyone who wants to come out here and lend a hand. The residents of Hojo are proud, independant and stubborn folk. The people who I have described above who were involved in clean-up efforts were all RELATIVES ( who had arrived from near and far), or people with some sort of bond or connection to the victims. There were of course also professionals (i.e.- the folks from the Tokyo Electric Power Company). Any strangers who try to help are adamantly told that their assitance is not needed ( even if it really is). This is probably because the reciever of the aid would then feel a troublesome obligation to the person who helped. Another reason might be that some probably feel too embarrassed to let strangers sift through their household goods, now strewn about in their yards and on the street.

Anyone who wants to help should first register with the city office and join a team of volunteers. You will then get an official volunteer uniform ( a vest) and be assigned to various usefull tasks.

THE FUTURE

I can only hope that  something good- an influx of funds, a wide-scale renewed interest in the town, a surge in local energy and creativity- will come about in the wake of this terrible tragedy.

Though I know I shouldnt get my hopes up.

Still even if it is just for now, it is remarkable how the people of Hojo have emerged from what seemed like a long slumber and have gone into fervent action- it is too bad that it has taken a disaster of this proportion to bring this out. It is certainly remarkable to witness..... and amazing how fast the town seems to be recovering ( and I say this only one day after the event!)

One of my acquaintances, a man in his mid-sixties who grew up in Hojo while it was still a thriving commercial center which served the entire surrounding area said ironically as he looked at all the people and activity around him the day after the tornado: This is what it used to be like. This is how the streets always were when I was a kid- packed with people and everyone busy!

One story picked up (and played up) by the national media was the story of my neighbors dog- WANTARO - a 3 year old shiba inu dog who along with his dog house was carried away by the cyclone- he was found unharmed on the other side of town

Close-up of a damaged shop

A trail of devastation was left by a powerfull tornando which passed though my neighborhood

My friend`s home was shredded

Metal debris entangled in electric wires

An old shop in Hojo damaged by the tornado

Hojo`s main commercial street

Concrete utility poles were knocked over or snapped as if they were match-sticks

A city run housing complex was totally devastated (and quite probably deflected the twister from continuing straight on to my house)

The rice fields strewn with debris

10 Comments

• At May 7, 2012, Eiji wrote:

  I thought you have moved to Matsushiro already. Are your family and friends and house are OK?

• At May 7, 2012, Tomoko Seto wrote:

  Hello Avisensei.

  I was concerned about tornado.

  Are you are OK?

  specially My anxiety is your wife.

  Please be careful.

• At May 7, 2012, Nora wrote:

  Sorry to be unable to help you in that moment...

  Please, take care of your lovely family!

  Hug,

• At May 9, 2012, Paul Sadler wrote:

  Hi Avi,

  My name's Paul Sadler, a fellow Tsukuba resident, and head of the Tsukuba Grace Volunteer Network. I just wanted to be in touch to let you know we would love to be of support in any way we can. Whether you need help in cleaning out homes, moving heavy items, or providing refreshment to other local residents who are worn out from the clean-up efforts, we would love to help. If you or someone you know is falling through the cracks and has a need please don't hesitate to contact me.

  Paul

• At May 9, 2012, ginni - California North Coast wrote:

  Oh, Avi -

  I saw the Tsukuba tornado on the U.S. national news yesterday & immediately worried for you! One of the photos showed a wooded area just like where you live, and I've worried so much for you & your family. Blessings on all of you that you are fine & your house is ok. I am soooo sorry for the terrible event in lovely Old Town Hojo - your "home" town! How rare. Please try to get some rest from all the work of clean-up which you are certainly doing to help your neighbors! Just last month, there were over 100 devastating tornadoes in Just One Day across the middle of our country - I am so glad you're ok & so sorry for the terrible event. Be Well!

• At May 9, 2012, alice wrote:

  Was worried about you and your family when we heard the news on TV. Take care!

• At May 10, 2012, Akiko Yamaguchi wrote:

  Hi Avi-san,

  When i heard the news i worried about you and your family. it was really shocking to know that how bad the Tornado dammage was on your town. All of the pictures in your blog are unbelievable...i'm glad to hear that you and your house are ok. Best wishes for a speedy recovery to a beautiful town.

• At May 10, 2012, Noni Creasey wrote:

  I have been enjoying your blogs for only a short time, and wanted to let you know for a while how much I look forward to reading them. It's a shame it took such a heartbreaking post to motivate me into action!

  This tornado is shocking, and the pictures and story you tell makes me feel almost like I were there to see it. I wish there was something I could do to help. Maybe I can send an email to those reporters to tell them off for their heartless actions!

  I agree it is very amazing that only one person died, but I do feel bad for that boy's family. Best of luck for you and your family.

• At May 11, 2012, Avi Landau wrote:

  Thanks to all of you who wrote or called to express your concern. My family and I are fine- though a bit stinky- since our water heater has been smashed. Two windows were also cracked. We have nothing to complain about, of course, when copared with what has happened to others.

  I have confidence that Hojo will be back and better than ever- in time - though that will be no compensation for the loss of the young boy.

  The post has been and will be updated, so if you have read it only once (earlier) it has been changed or added to.

  Once again, thanks for your support and concern

  and hope to hear from you again under more pleasant circumstances and on happier topics

• At May 13, 2012, Mamoru Shimizu wrote:

  Avi -san! Nice article! Since last years Earthquake, I knew there were many friends watching your articles, and by this　Tornado article I am certain of it.

  I also got phone calls and mails from my friends. Thanks to them.

  Anyway this is qiuick and good system to send news-article-photos to all over the world!

  70years ago it could't be imagined. Oh I recognized I got relatively to become an aged person.