Wrong About Japan (14 page)

As the taxi pulled up opposite, Charley presented the gift—very beautifully, I thought—and then bowed to the woman.

She bowed to him and suddenly, unexpectedly, leaned forward and kissed his cheek.

And that was it. Charley climbed in, blushing just a little. The driver slammed the door shut, and we waved good-bye.

“I was surprised she kissed you,” I said. “I didn’t think they did that.”

“Must be the Real Japan,” he said.

“Yes,” I said.

“Found it finally,” Charley said. “Let’s get out of here before we learn we’re wrong.”

FIRST VINTAGE INTERNATIONAL EDITION, JANUARY 2006

Copyright © 2004 by Peter Carey

All rights reserved. Published in the United States by Vintage Books, a division of Random House, Inc., New York.

Vintage is a registered trademark and Vintage International and colophon are trademarks of Random House, Inc.

The Library of Congress has cataloged the Knopf edition as follows:
Carey, Peter [date]
Wrong about Japan: a father’s journey with his son
Peter Carey.—1st ed.
p. cm.

1. Japan—Description and travel. 2. Carey, Peter, 1943—Travel—Japan. 3. Fathers and sons—United States. 4. Fathers and sons—Japan. 5. Americans—Japan. I. Title.
ds812.c27 2005
915.204’5—dc22   2004048425
eISBN: 978-0-307-54971-6
www.vintagebooks.com

v3.0

Table of Contents

Cover

About the Author

Other Books By This Author

Dedication

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Copyright