Looking back at Japan...

Hello! You found the compass!

Here is the final post about Japan. I miss that country very much. The people were nice, the language was comfortable to speak, and the food was quite good (I only recently stopped craving udon, though I miss that too). Without further delay, here are a few stories about Japan followed by my lessons learned there.

Fun story about Japan #1: Tim discovered that he got discounts for being black. He ran into some African merchants, and they talked about their troubles with being allowed to live and work in Japan. (It's a tough country to get into.) Turns out that one of them had a Japanese girlfriend who apparently was a huge help with the whole process. Anyway, they liked Tim and happily gave to him what they called "brother discounts". So, if you are of African descent and ever visit Harajuku, hit them up!

Fun story about Japan #2: Outside of a strip club was a sign that said "Sexual Harassment Zone."

Fun story about Japan #3: When I gave up my seat on the subway for that elderly man, I only knew how to say "please". So I just kept saying that, bowing, and gesturing to my seat. He smiled and said a few sentences before finally sitting down, probably realizing that I had no idea what he was saying anyway and I was going to keep standing. When I got off the train, he smiled and bowed to me. It was endearing.

Fun story about Japan #4: Kristen got serenaded by a young man as we were leaving the karaoke bar. I may have told you that already, but it deserved mention.

Fun story about Japan #5: Soft serve ice cream is to Japan what Dunkin Donuts is to Massachusetts. Soft serve ice cream is available just about everywhere! In fact, I never saw "regular" ice cream stands (which was fine with me, because I prefer soft serve). They also have many different flavors of soft serve, including: sakura, rose, banana, green tea, and sweet potato (which I tried; it really does taste like a cold sweet potato). 

      I'm sure that there are other little anecdotes that I forgot to write about. However, the five above plus all of the blog entries I wrote during the trip ought to suffice.

      Now, to wrap up, some lessons learned in Japan:

-Cheesecake Haagen Dazs needs to come to the states.

-There is a lot to see in the world, and it’s never a bad time to start exploring. 

-It is okay to reflect back on things, even tragedies, so long as lessons are learned and used to help the present and future. 

-No matter how curious you are, some things are best left unexplored. (Looking at you, Maid Dreaming.)

-Though I still don’t get along with most seafood, the sashimi wasn’t bad. Branching out and trying new food is a fun experience. 

-I’ve always wanted to build my own home someday, and I’d certainly model a room after the traditional inn that we stayed in. Everything was simple, elegant, and comfortable. (Especially the tatami mats and futons.)

-It is refreshing to see ancient religions being widely practiced in peace and, sometimes literally, side-by-side. There was something very relaxing and rejuvenating about the shrines and temples.   

- Fashion is fun. Expensive, but fun.

-Not knowing a language is a minor barrier. Everyone speaks charades. 

-No matter where you are, cute animals are a valid temporary distraction from your goal.

-Chopsticks are far more fun than a fork.

-Nature is always worthy of admiration.

-Sakura is a great flavor for just about anything.  On the food note, curry is delicious and sweet potato ice cream is weird.

-Getting to know people in a different country makes for more interesting bonding than on a campus where we all know the language.

-Oh yes, I do Kyoto.

      And finally, the thing that most often pops into my head when I think of Japan and all of the fun experiences that I had there with my peers is:

 

 WE HAVE TO GO BACK!

 

         Thank you to everyone who followed this blog. (Sorry about the font being all weird with the lessons list. Didn't care to fix it. It adds character...?) Oyasuminasai!