found and be found

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New York City was frozen last Friday, and so was Chelsea art scene. All of so-called arty people like collectors, gallerists, dealers, artists, plus wannabes were in Miami for art fairs. Thus, Chelsea had become a ghost town for the entire week. Thanks to the severe Alaska-like coldness, there were only 5 or 6 visitors in the galley. Well, I have to say that they were brave. Among all, I found one Japanese couple. The owners of the gallery were away, so I was all alone and bored for a few days. I, myself as Japanese, jumped onto them to just TALK. It turned out that the gentleman was a ceramic artist, visiting NY from a rural district in Kyoto for a group show of ceramic art, which was hold in a Japanese gallery. They both seemed to be very shy, but warm and friendly. A faint and shyly smile revealed their good nature, which is really rare to see in this city. " Tonight, we will have an opening reception, so please come by," they humbly invited me. Though I said yes, I was not sure if I really would. “Oh, tonight was the night to stay home with a hot soup,” I said to myself. However, the fact that they came to NY all the way from countryside in Kyoto and happened to be in the gallery in the Siberian weather made me stand up. So I did. 6 Japanese artists exhibited the ceramics, some were conventional, and some were funky. The guy’s work was conventional and I liked it the best. “ It takes 3 days to bake ceramics and you never let the fire go out for 3 days,” he explained. “ Wow, sounds like having a new-born baby,” I said and they laughed. The big round plate caught my eyes. It was a brownish plate with circle patterns and turquoise blue was appeared in parts. “This is like the universe!” I was excited. “ Indeed, I actually named this piece the universe,” his girlfriend smiled back. “ Depending on the season, a temperature of the day, a fire degree, the work changes its face, though I use the same materials,” he added. After looking at them carefully, I mentioned that I would buy teacups. (I wanted to buy the plate, but it was over my budget and no storage to put it.) “ Please don’t buy. We were really happy that you started talking to us in the gallery today, so we were thinking about giving some to you,” they mumbled. It was touching. I was the one who were dying to talk to somebody and they happened to be there. Getting know that they were happy about chatting with me made me feel really happy. I felt as if flowers were blooming inside of me. Their remark made me feel like buying it more. After negotiation, we were settled down my purchase with a small gift from them. I found them and was found by them. Yes, the city endlessly gives us a chance for meeting new people, whether you pick up or ignore it. Interwoven by spontaneous chance, the city itself becomes a treasure. On the way back home, I felt warm inside, walking against the bitter cold winds. Life is beautiful, isn't it.