"Don Quixote de Tokio" in quest for ever-lasting dreams No expiration date for adventure in life!

What will you do when you are retired? It is difficult for most people to consider this when they are young and working. What is a man to do when he is set free after years as a workaholic? Some people plan in advance. But for those who meet their retirement day without any planning, what will happen?

"Go abroad to study!" says a voice full of life. Addressing himself as a "Don Quixote of Tokyo," SHIMIZU Takeshi (65 years old and retired) says, "I keep having dreams. Dreams keep coming to me continuously." On his retirement, he started his lifework named, "World Literature Journey - Visiting the Locations of the Masterpieces," starting with his long-awaited "Don Quixote."

Shimizu was a newspaper reporter when he was younger. He decided to study Spanish for the simple reason that "everybody else around me was knowledgeable in English." To be different, he chose Spanish. He then spent the next 10 years stationed in Panama, Latin America, as a correspondent. When this man, who was once called studious and diligent, yet active, was suddenly dispatched to such a gay, carefree, open culture as the one in Latin America, he was hooked.

Shimizu wrote a book called "Why don"t you study abroad after retirement?" (published by Bungeisha), which advises those who have given up thinking they can achieve things in the later stages of their lives. In countries such as Spain, he could manage a year"s study in college on his annual pension. "As long as you"re healthy, retirement is a time to be active. Go back and check if there is anything that you missed doing, places that you always wanted to visit, or if there is someone you want to see," he explains.

Shimizu flew to Spain accompanied by his wife while his two grown-up daughters stayed in Japan. He studied the language, culture and arts for one year at Malaga University. On holidays, he invited his college friends over to his house and welcomed them with his favorite recipes he had learnt before moving to Spain. Making new friends and learning a new culture was such a fresh and exciting experience for him, particularly since he is over 60.

However, Shimizu was often troubled by differences in time management between Japanese and Spanish people. "For people in Latin America, humans are the masters of time. No one is managed by time," he recalls. He lost count of the number of times he was left waiting at appointments and meetings. Once, Shimizu was mugged in his much-loved Spain, and was left disappointed. But he turns even the unhappy events into positive experiences.

Shimizu finally realized, "the origin of all Latin American culture is Spain." He played "Don Quixote" when he was a little boy in a school play. He took the role of Sancho Panza, the invaluable servant of Don Quixote, and was instantly attracted to the character of Don Quixote, who is forever chasing his ever-lasting dreams. Since then, Shimizu has been fascinated by the novel, written by CERVANTES, and has reread it many times. He was convinced, "one day I will go to Spain and see its origin with my own eyes and get to the heart of "Don Quixote!""

2005 was the 400th anniversary of the first publication of "Don Quixote" in Spain. Shimizu flew there to celebrate the moment and visited famous locations related to the novel and the writer, Cervantes. He met many kind local people who seemed, in return, so happy to see a Japanese man who loved the novel so dearly. A well-known local daily newspaper even asked him for an interview.

Shimizu is active in many areas, ranging from giving talks to senior, retired people, to giving lectures to young students and writing travel books. Visiting the locations of the masterpieces not only satisfies his need to do something for himself, but he also hopes to pass on what he has seen and felt. Shimizu talks to elderly people who have lost a sense of fulfillment after retirement, and young people who have no hopes or dreams. "Find one thing you can be interested in, and study it all over again. Then, you will experience the excitement from it, I am sure."

"Maintaining your curiosity and imagination, and thinking positively is the key," says Shimizu. Don Quixote has taught him how to live in various situations. His ever-lasting dreams gave way to the American masterpiece, "Gone with the Wind," after "Don Quixote." The dream will then move to Canada for "Anne of Green Gables," which will be followed by England and SHAKESPEARE. The dreams will be woven endlessly. He claims, "I can"t get sick. There are so many things to do. There is a long road ahead!"

Shimizu"s URL, "Plaza de Don Quijote"
URL: homepage2.nifty.com/donky/

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