Free Announcer Aika Kanda, “Are you Girolamo-san?

I am currently on a plane bound for Singapore. When it comes to overseas travel, I only travel to North America, and when it comes to airlines, I am all about JAL. It has been about 20 years since I have been on a Singapore Airlines flight, and the cabin is very fresh and enjoyable.

First of all, the flight attendants spoke to me in English. It has been a long time since I have felt a language barrier in the cabin, so I was puzzled, and it was quite pathetic. I was even asked earlier, “Have you finished eating?　Can I put it away? I couldn’t understand it right away, and I thought to myself, “Well, the fact that they are speaking to me at this time means that they are asking me ……″ can I put it away? !!!) ) I guessed, and then replied, “O-okay. The beer I was supposed to have ordered was not served, and I requested two kinds of bread, but was given only one. I guess they didn’t understand me because I am not confident in my English and my voice was too quiet. Normally, he would say, “I have traveled abroad more than 80 times! but in reality, this is the way it is. It makes me laugh.

Also, the atmosphere of the passengers is a little different. The fragrance of perfume wafting in the air was different from that of the aircraft I know well (I wonder if people’s tastes in fragrances change depending on where they live). I am thinking about it. I love flying because I have time to notice and think about such details.

There is just one problem. I can’t tell whether the man sitting next to me across the aisle is Panzetta Girolamo or not. His eyes, nose, and contours looked so much alike that I looked at him four times. If he had said, “I am Girolamo,” I could have sworn that everyone would have believed him even if he had lied.

I have worked with Mr. Girolamo many times in the past, and he has been a great help to me. If it is him, I would like to greet him properly, but if it is not, I would be embarrassed.

In fact, I have seen someone who looked like Mr. Girolamo in Azabu Juban before. At that time, he parked his red sports-type convertible on the shoulder of the road, sat on the hood, and put his hands in his pants pockets. He was talking with a few foreigners, giving off an aura of a slightly badass old man. I was walking with my husband, so I walked away without checking if it was him or not.

Another time, we were in a Yamanote Line car. A person who looked exactly like Mr. Girolamo was standing with his back against the door. He was wearing sunglasses, so I couldn’t look him in the eye, but he had his hands in his pants pockets, giving me the impression that he was a bit of a badass old man. I had not yet met Mr. Girolamo at that time, so I had no idea to talk to him to check.

I’m curious and fidgety.

How could I have met Mr. Girolamo so many times by chance, and does it mean that there are several people who look just like him?　But there can’t be more than one person who is that unique, can there?

While I was thinking about the Girolamo problem, my neighbor on the opposite side whipped up the partition that bordered mine, creating a wall. In business class, there is a partition that separates your seat from the seat next to you, and the best part is that you can enjoy your meals and sleep in a space that is like a private room for both of you. So eventually, one of us will raise the partition, but actually, the timing of raising the partition is an important point for me on long flights.

If I raise the partition myself right after takeoff, I worry that I might be seen as a fighter, saying, “I don’t want to feel your presence. On the other hand, if I leave the door open for too long, I feel uncomfortable because I feel like I am traveling alone with someone else. I think, “Why don’t you just leave it to the other person’s timing?　But if you leave it open too long, you may feel uncomfortable because you feel as if you are traveling alone with someone else. or (Is my breathing noisy?) I feel uncomfortable for the rest of the flight.

Today’s neighbor put up a wall as soon as we took off. (Why?!?). I was curious as to why. I can’t help but wonder why. I’m not sure if the other neighbor is Mr. Girolamo or not (clarify!). I can’t help but wonder. I can’t help but wonder. I mean, Girolamo, isn’t this the third time you’ve had another loaf of bread!　My neighbors who boggle my mind: …… This means I won’t be able to get a wink of sleep until Singapore!

His first book , “Where is the Royal Road? is now on sale!

Aika Kanda was born in 1980 in Kanagawa Prefecture. After graduating from Gakushuin University with a degree in mathematics, she joined NHK as an announcer in 2003, and left in 2012 to become a freelance announcer. Since then, she has been active mainly in variety shows, and currently makes regular appearances as the main MC of the daytime TV program “Poka Poka” (Fuji Television Network).

From the August 23 and 30, 2024 combined issue of FRIDAY