The Final Day, Feeling Unwell — New York Stay, Day 12

 On the day before our return to Japan, I woke up feeling feverish.
Rather than letting it worsen, I decided to rest and take care of myself.
From the room, familiar landmarks of New York were still quietly in view.

Just as we were about to head home, I woke up feeling uncomfortably warm.
Before things could get worse, I chose to rest and recuperate.

Looking out from the room, I could see both the Empire State Building and the newer tourist attraction, Edge.
All things considered, it was not such a bad place to take it easy.

At lunchtime, we ate at a restaurant near Central Park.
Seeing my daughter arrive with her employee badge hanging from her neck, I felt quietly reassured—she must be doing her job properly and steadily.

The television was filled with news about Venezuela.
My English is not good enough to fully grasp the details, but the commentators seemed careful not to offer strong opinions.

From an objective standpoint, one could argue that in a dictatorship where so many citizens have fled the country, the emergence of someone worthy of the Nobel Peace Prize suggests an extraordinary situation—one in which a helping hand was extended amid chaos.

That said, had there been no oil, the world might not have paid much attention at all.
It is a complicated story.

It was startling to think that somewhere in this vast city, such a person might be detained.
Yet New York itself seemed entirely indifferent.

With the New Year holidays over, the city had returned to its usual calm.
In restaurants, women who were clearly affluent chatted cheerfully, as if none of this had anything to do with them.

 

Back in the room, I lay down and slept deeply.
When I woke up, the fever had gone down.

A great relief.
Tonight, I plan to sleep well again.