I found a strange connection to Japan when I visited Largo, Florida over the New Year holidays. This was my first there, so when I was wide awake at 4am with jet-lag, I decided to go for a jog and check out the area. Not far from where I was staying, I found Largo Central Park. It was very scenic and quiet. Then I came across this Torii, a traditional Japanese gate used for marking the entrance to a shrine. Symbolically, they represent the transition from our human world into the divine. What the heck was it doing in Largo, FL? Just a random Torii in the middle of the park with no accompanying shrine or explanation.
The next day I went back and found the missing piece to the puzzle—a stone plaque celebrating the friendship between Largo and Japan with the words, “40 Years of Friendship 1969-2010.” I had a big laugh because the wording makes it sound like the friendship ended in 2010. Did something bad happen that year? It actually took me a minute to realize what they were trying to say.
The Torii was decorated with Christmas lights which was also funny. I had to go back at night and see it all lit up— Largo Central Park’s randomly placed Christmas Torii.
Robert R. Gray 
As they say, it’s a small world.
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