Meet Junko Yokota @jyokota and Taffy Raphael @taffy who made every arrangement for the meet-up from finding hotels, planning an itinerary and having us to their homes for meals as well! We could not have asked for anything more!
Here, we were on the grounds of the Bahai Temple, which is one of the most spectacularly artistic edifices in all of Chicago. However, being a latecomer to posting my photos, you've seen this beautiful building, and I felt these two deserved their own special spotlight. Each had their personal duties to attend to all the while we were together, and yet they gave of their time selflessly. Electing myself the group spokesman, it would be a unanimous agreement that these are two of the nicest, most attentive and fascinating ladies you might ever hope to meet!
*Thank You* Taffy and Junko. It's understandable why you two should also be such close friends. You're quite likeable ♥ ; )
It sounds as if 'thank you' doesn't quite do it for these two! They clearly pushed the boat out for you guys. How wonderful. However, I can only imagine you doing a similar thing Louise, if the boot was on the other foot! :-) Lovely photo of the glorious guides!
It sounds like you were all so well looked after by these lovely ladies. I'm sure it is something that you will all remember and treasure for many years.
I totally agree with you Louise - Taffy & Junko were wonderful hosts and we had such a wonderful time. It really was the holiday of a lifetime for me and this is a wonderful image - Fav
@joansmor You clearly know Junko and Taffy! They're both so very interesting and quite down to earth at the same time! I felt fortunate to have had time to spend in their good company!
@rosiekind In spite of the many many times I've been to Chicago to see our daughter and her family, this was the holiday of a lifetime for me/us as well! I felt as though I was signed on to a marvelous tour...and of course we were! Simply the best that we weren't with a bunch of strangers, but with good friends!
Aw...many thanks, Louise! It really was a joy and a respite from all the personal dramas we were/are facing. Glad you had a good time and I do love this photo! We're about to move in with Junko and Bill so maybe we'll have a little time before we head up to the island for a last Chicago photo shoot for a bit. Closing is coming up quickly!
Hi Louise, I'm sorry I missed the posting of this photo originally (although you sent me a copy). As you will recall, it was a bad time in my life to be online. But seeing it pop up on my screen under our 365-photobuddies tag allows me to appreciate it now! Reading Taffys comment about moving in with us makes it unbelievable it was nearly a year ago. We're still having fun processing together in the evenings at the dining table. Can't wait for our next photowalk together!
@jyokota How lovely to read this nice comment from you now that it's all a memory! It was a delight to be in company with you and Taffy, and you were both SO generous with your time and planning for us all. I will share with you that, while taking a week off to make zoo books for two grandsons, I made the *grim* discovery that I had deleted all my photos from our Chicago gathering! Ken and I went over the computer in minute detail and came away empty handed. He thinks he understands how it happened, but I have to accept that done is done. I have my book, and I have wonderful memories, so I've not despaired as I thought I might. But how fun it is to come across this now and see some favorites are not gone altogether. To date I've mentioned this only to Ron, and Ken and I have plans in place for better/more storage. C'est la vie...
@Weezilou -- on one level it's tragic, but as you say, it's about the memories of times spent together. Which means -- we could do another photowalk when you come back to Chicago!
@jyokota While Heather has moved away now, we love Chicago and would love to return someday. What I loved most about that visit with you all was that, for the first time, I really got to see the best of Chicago as a tourist on vacation! While I don't travel as extensively or as often as you do, once I regain "better health" I can pretty much do as I please if I get the notion! I'll let you and Taffy know; it would be lovely!
