18/365: Mai Ishikawa at The Botanic Gardens

Mai has a really interesting job as a theatre maker and translator, working on incredible productions like Waiting for Godot in Japan, but it’s not this that fascinates me today on our walk. Mai has a truly gentle and beautifully curious character. She introduces me to the birds in the gardens that she has named. They’re her friends and confidants, visiting almost daily, a ritual that began in the pandemic. Mai moved to Ireland from Japan 6 years ago (after falling in love with an Irish man, a story we’ll probably hear quite a few times in this project). As we walk around spotting birds, Mai explains to me some of the cultural differences between her home in Japan and how we do things here. Come back tomorrow for another podcast/story/portrait.x RSin Scéal Eile - That's Another Story was hosted and created by Ruth Medjber, with sound by Ronan Lally. The podcast is produced by Dee Reddy at Poddle Audio with original music by Elaine Mai. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.