The Week Before the Olympics

The Olympics are just around the corner now. Most people in Japan, I think, are excited about the Olympics itself. But with respect to the Olympics being held in Japan, the atmosphere here is a mix of trepidation, resignation, and a bit of apathy as well. People are worried about the risk of coronavirus spreading. Despite the vaccine rollout picking up speed, only a fraction of the population is vaccinated. 

There is also the disappointment of hosting the Olympics without enjoying the benefits of being a host. We live close to the national stadium where the opening ceremony will take place. There are extensive road closures in our neighborhood, and they are to last until after the Paralympic Games in September. My mother in law's favorite grocery store shut down last year to make room for Olympic venues. In addition, there will be no spectators for events held in Tokyo. These tickets will be voided and refunded. The movements of athletes, reporters, and other people associated with the Olympics will be restricted.  

I see some Olympic paraphernalia here and there, but it is less than what you would expect. I found the most Olympic stuff at Flying Tiger:

I guess this is just not the Olympics that everyone signed up for. My father in law was in elementary school during the 1964 Tokyo Olympics. Back then, they drew a lottery for 90% of the schoolchildren to attend the games. What a terrible lottery! My father in law fell into the unlucky 10% who did not get to attend. So you can imagine his excitement at having a second shot. Alas, it was not meant to be. Alternative plans for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics have been so drawn out and have changed so much that  even his disappointment is now muted. 

Despite it all, I am excited to watch the Olympics on television. I have many good childhood memories of watching the Olympics. I used to record my favorite events and have at least ten VHS cassettes recorded of the 1996 and 2000 games. I love the stories, and I love cheering for the underdog athlete: the ones who persevere despite minimum resources. In this way, the Olympic spirit is contagious. 

I do not envy the athletes who must perform outdoors. Rainy season has ended and in its place is sweltering summer heat. I would take rain over the sun and heat any day. During our outing to Showa Kinen Park, we each drank at least 4-5 cups of water each. My husband, in the interest of traveling light, had planned to buy water as needed at the park. Me, in the interest of reducing waste and saving money, brought my thermos. We would have bought at least ten water bottles if we had not brought the thermos. There were water fountains everywhere, which was nice. If you visit Japan in the summer, a thermos is a must to keep hydrated and cool! 

It is also the second half of edamame season. You can see fresh edamame in all the supermarkets right now. Did you know what they grew on branches like this? 

We ended the weekend with a cold beer, fresh edamame, and a pretty view of a summer sunset (+ relief that the sun was setting).