Men's Problems - Friends

In day to day falconry and my way of life through the year I get used to talking with my local friends, local club members and our monthly social events when a group of us get together to share a meal. It can almost be that I have another life since I am also familiar with a large group of people around the world, people who write for the magazines, several who over a long period of time have become friends. The surprise and enjoyment I experience when a friend remembers me only seems to grow as time goes by. The accumulation of similar experiences somehow seems to make enjoyment grow and my appreciation ever more aware. When it is unexpected it can be whelming.

A few days ago it was my pleasure to meet again many acquaintances from the falconry community around the world, to spend time with them doing our business but also relaxing, sharing meals and much laughter over more than a few drinks. Freed  temporarily from the constraints of my own society and able to enjoy what other  nations still find 'normal' can be as simple as an occasional cigar so that somehow it feels special and a privilege in the company of resumed friendship.

But at this meeting how unexpected a surprise it was when my Japanese friend arrived, offering his customary polite greeting made the more so when he handed me a small bag full of carefully wrapped gifts! That he had remembered me before the trip to buy some small personal, traditional Japanese gifts was quite wonderful and rather humbling.

A few years ago as advancing years began to impose on me I had read of the beneficial effects of drinking green tea and how much lower were incident rates in Japan for male prostate problems, thought to be a consequence of their green tea consumption. Having had my share of attention from the medical profession and experienced their macabre habit of terrifying new customers falling into their grip, I have increasingly found some improved self management and diet adjustments paid dividends and reduced my own 'white coat syndrome'! When green tea came to my attention I of course contacted my friend to ask his guidance and explanation of what this really meant since it seemed obvious that it was not the variety of green tea available to us in the local supermarket.

After some research my friend was kind enough to explain some of the intricacies of the subject and the various processes in the creation of Matcha tea, a fine green powder dissolved in a little hot water and drunk over a small piece of candy, transforming the flavour into something more mellow and unique. With my friend's explanation I was able to source a supply and to my delight it was effective and my PSA levels did reduce!

The wrapping of my presents in traditional Japanese paper was almost an exercise in origami and so attractive I left their unwrapping until we returned home to be shared with Jenny.

When we finally opened the packages it was of course two different varieties of matcha and a delightful paper box of wrapped candies,  how wonderful that my thoughtful and considerate friend can bring such unexpected joy in expression of his enjoyment of our work together over many years.