that the friendship which we achieved during our activities in Japan, will last even if a foreign member leaves Japan. This also helps us to stay in touch with those members, and because of that we get a chance to see each other again!!!

Kamata Sakiko

With baci(kisses) and bear-hug

Mitsue Yajima

I was welcomed at Malpensa A.P. in Milano. It is great to see the friend who went back to her own country. Elena Cighetti was fine and very active, her husband Marco as well and sent best regards to all members especially ones of Italian Class. After releasing the jetlag, we met Andrea Lochmann(British) who belonged to M.C. and now lives just behind Duomo in Milano. Luckily Elena and I joined Andrea's plan to visit Venice to see the famous Carnival. In the Plazza surrounded by the historical buildings, Venetian people's gorgeous costumes and elegant manner　were so attractive and took us to the fantastic world. Sun shine, sea breeze, Italian food, above all , grilled veer with lemon, gelato etc. were also unforgettable. Grazie mille. Viva, Italia, Viva, Elena! Viva, our friendship. Ciao, Arrivederci、Matane!

Tour through Sicily

Kayoko Makita

Six members of Minami Circle enjoyed the tour through Sicily in Italy last autumn. After a twelve- and- half hour flight from Tokyo we finally arrived at Milano-Malpensa Airport on November 14, 2005. Elena Cighetti, a former member of the Circle, waited for us just outside of the exit of the airport. We met her after an interval of two months. We headed for the Hotel "Cavour" with Elena. A little later, Marco, Elena's husband, came to see us at the hotel and gave each of us a transvaal daisy. This was a pleasant surprise. Maeda-san put it into a glass with water and Tanaka-san pressed it in her notebook. The next morning Elena took us around in the center of Milan. In front of the Duomo, Andrea Lochman, another former member of the Circle, waited for us. We could meet our two old members at the same time. After observing inside the Duomo, we visited Elena's house and met her mother and her old nanny. The nanny is a very good cook, so we enjoyed her delicious Italian dishes to our heart's content. We had to say good-bye to these gentle and sweet ladies soon, because we didn't have much time to get to the local airport. In one hour and a half, we arrived at Palermo in Sicily. Next morning, we met a driver of the limousine at the hotel lobby. The sightseeing tour was about to start. At Palermo, a young Italian couple, the friends of Elena and Marco, guided us in English. Visiting Duomo di Moreale, Cappele Palatina, Cattedrale and Piazza Pretoria, we enjoyed every bit of these old historical places. At Segesta we visited Templio di Segesta with a young Japanese guide and then left for Marsala, where we visited a winery for wine tasting. On the way to Marsala, we stopped at the famous salt-fields. At Agrigento called the "Valley of Shrines", there are many old Greek shrines here and there. At Siracusa, a local guide guided us in the archeological zone. There are the Greek Theater, the amphitheater and a site of stone pit called the quarry of paradise. At the entrance of this site the guide sung a song for us, because the site resounded with his voice very well. However, the pleasant tour came to an end at last. We flew to Milan from Catarina Airport to transfer to Tokyo. Throughout the whole trip Elena and Marco were with us and took very good care of us. They were the thoughtful and warmhearted guides of this trip. I can never thank them enough.

In addition.....

I, Kamata Sakiko, also visited Milano and I could not pass without meeting Elena. Elena was so warmhearted person and I had a lovely time with Elena I enjoyed Italian dishes at her house! Oishisshimo??!　Arigatou-gozaimashita!

Ciao! edited by Elena's studentessa Motegi Akiko

Minami Circle