Postcard of good will / 善意的明信片

前一陣子去日本旅行時，因為急需修補這半年來心靈上累積的疲勞，我對於寫明信片興趣缺缺。主動問候友人需要無限的熱情，那是我全身上下充滿能量時才辦得到的事，而今年夏天的遠行完全是為了我自己。

A while ago, on my trip to Japan, I couldn't afford to write any postcard because I was eager only to heal the trauma I've suffered at work during the past half year. It takes tons of enthusiasm to send a greeting to friends, and that is possible merely when I am full of vibes. As a matter of fact, I took the trip this summer completely for myself.

我們在松山市的道後溫泉街道上閒晃之際，我無意間發現了一美術館的指標，就算它的規模小至導覽書隻字為提，我還是想一探究竟。我們於正午時分太陽高掛，在無人的巷弄裡摸索，seki美術館就隱身於一棟棟樸實的民宅中，但是裡面高雅的設計和平靜人心的氛圍，可又是另一片天地，儘管整棟房子只有兩名館員和我們兩名訪客，我們可是走到哪，館員便親切地幫我們開老式的音樂鐘及影片操作。更值得一提的是，館內的畫和我們造訪過同樣規模的美術館相比，可是在水準之上。院子裡還有小小的造景，讓我挺想在美術館裡打發一整個下午。

While we were strolling on the streets in Odogo, I accidentally found the sign that points to an art museum. Even though it's so small in size that the tour guidebook doesn't mention any word about it, my curiosity was aroused. We wandered at noon in the quiet neighborhood. When we were about to give up, we found Seki Museum right there, hiding among other houses for residential use. However, inside, it is so amazing, whether in terms of the decoration or the atmosphere. There were only two ladies working in the whole building, and two visitors, a.k.a. my mom and I. But their service was more than perfect. The ladies took care to turn on the music clock and DVD player for us at the right time. What was more important, the paintings were far better in quality compared with those in some other museums we had visited on the same trip. There is even a tiny yet lovely yard specially designed so that when visitors look out from the room, they feel calm and relaxed. I have to say that it wouldn't be a bad idea to spend the whole afternoon there.

要離去之前，我還是忍不住在櫃檯買了張明信片，想為這趟低調的旅行留一點紀錄，沒想到館員見我如此喜歡藝術，居然挑了好幾張，讓我選一張當作美術館送給外來客的伴手禮，我驚訝地說不出話來，不過我一眼就看上之前很有感覺的一副作品，道謝之後便決定，把這張充滿善意的明信片寄給自己。

Before we left, I couldn't help but buy a postcard as the souvenir of this low-key trip. One of the ladies, detecting my love for art, offered to give me one for free. I was so moved that I could only wow with smiles all over my face. I went for a postcard with one painting that impressed me at first sight. After thanking her, I decided to send the postcard of good will to myself.

說這張明信片救了我似乎太誇張，但是那肯定是我對日本民族的深刻印象〈去年在義大利連要個裝明信片的塑膠袋都得付錢呢。〉如果你還有些熱情可以在這個夏天發揮，有個自行創作明信片的好機會，Benq的明信片生活美學比賽進入最後倒數17天，儘管時間如此有限，請不要放棄為自己或為他人寄幾張明信片。

It would be an exaggeration to say that this postcard saved me, but it certainly will remind me again and again how kind Japanese people can be. (Well, last year, when we were in Italy, we were requested to pay even for the small and thin plastic bag for the postcards.) If you still have some passion this summer, there is a good chance for you to make your customized postcards. There are still 17 days left before the deadline for Benq postcard contest. Even with so little time, don't give up the chance to send yourself or your beloved ones some postcards.

Benq明信片生活美學比賽網址：

Link to Benq postcard contest:

http://www.benqfoundation.org/benq-award/