(Japanese) At the time, the processing of my immigration papers was being delayed. I was told that unless I set my foot on America’s soil by the 10th of July, my visa would become invalid. When I went to the American Embassy in Akasaka in Minato-ku, Tokyo maybe on a Friday…I think…since the office was closed for two days, Saturday and Sunday. I somehow received my visa on Friday. In return for my visa, they asked me to bring the proof that I could set foot on America’s soil by July 10th.. Sp I showed my uncle’s letter to the person in charge. Then, he said, “OK” and gave me the visa.

How I came here is…I took a Pan American flight - at the time, I think that airline had only been in service for 2 1/2 years. I took an airplane from start to finish. I remembered it took 36 hours starting from Haneda Airport arriving into Los Angeles Airport. At the time, I flew to that island, I think it was called Wake Island. From Haneda, I stopped over at Wake Island, then after stopping over in Hawaii, arrived into Los Angeles.

After I arrived at Los Angeles International Airport, I stayed for a week in Los Angeles, I immediately headed for Imperial Valley. My first impression was that even though there are no rivers, there are many bridges – I suppose those were the “bridges” that go over the roads or what they call overpasses.