Japan is an amazing country. Their outlook is so profoundly different from America, and in some ways really nice. The hallmark of America is independence, and the basic unit of structure is the individual. To give up either would be unthinkable, and in many ways, fueled America's great economic and financial growth. On the other side of the coin, however, all this individualism makes for a very selfish society where everyone is just looking out for themselves (and their immediate family).
Japan is the opposite. This country runs on the notion that everyone will naturally do the right thing for the community as a whole. It has been refreshing to live in a place where residents will automatically act in a way that everyone's lives easier. Everything (and everyone!) is punctual, customer service is patient and accommodating, and people are nice to each other. It's also unbelievably safe here; I have left grocery items in my bicycle basket while I went into another store to get some things. No one steals! It's crazy!
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| Gratuitous beautiful Japanese scenery... Himeji Castle |
I will, of course, miss all the food in Japan. Local cuisine is just so inexpensive, and of good quality.
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| Katsu-don, a fried pork chop and eggs, served over rice. |
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| There is ramen under those veggies. |
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| Conveyor belt sushi joints have been a staple of mine this year, but so has cheap supermarket sushi, which starts going on sale around 6pm. And oh, say hello to my new little friend, Totoro! He will be joining me on my travels the next few months. |
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| Japanese good is heavily seasonal; this cold udon dish is only available during the late spring/summer months. |
And don't even get me STARTED on the miracle that is the 100 yen store. It seems impossible that they can offer so many useful items for such a low price. Take a look at one of my latest hauls, all for the grand total of 756 yen ($6.30 US).
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| Let's see, there is a screen protector for my tablet, a pair of socks, a pair of earbuds, a canvas tote, an inflatable travel pillow, a mini-USB to USB cord, and a neoprene sleeve for my tablet. So much stuff! |
My deepest memory of Japan though, will be the children that I taught for a year. I didn't quite expect it, but they found their way into my heart, and I will miss them for a very long time. I unfortunately can't post any of their pictures here, but suffice it to say that they are all beautiful and funny and smart.
I don't know when I will return to this country. But I am grateful for the time here, and will be sad as I depart.
