Uncle Dan
Mar 21st, 2010 by Abdul Ghani
We reach the distillery well after midnight. Deep breaths of cool night air fill our lungs as we clamber out the truck. I follow Rashimi along the path that leads to the wrought iron gates. A delightful breeze of cinnamon and cloves wafts over us. The air smells good enough to eat. Wind chimes tinkle softly announcing our arrival. I can hear my heartbeat like a drum.
Rashimi confirms our arrival over the intercom. The gates open slowly to the sound of barking dogs and rattling chains. I grab my prayer beads from my pocket and quicken my pace towards the building ahead.
Once inside I begin to relax. I feel quite at home here. The room has a peaceful and warm ambiance. The walls are decorated with some impressive weapons. Some made from wood and others made from steel. A young man enters the room carrying a large tray of green tea. He serves the fragrant tea promptly passing me a small porcelain cup.
The young man turns out to be another of Uncle Dan’s students. Rashimi tells me that he left his family in Okinawa to study here. When his parents died as the result of a car crash, Uncle Dan took him under his wing. He has been here ever since. I also learn that Uncle Dan will not accept money from his students. Instead they help him in the distillery and look after his affairs. Rashimi, now in his thirties, has been with Uncle Dan for over twenty years. I look forward to meeting him even more now.