Musings of a Polyglot Bibliophile: Not Lost in Translation

After much reflection, I am finally ready to write about the wonderful country of Japan.

The realization of me going to Japan, the country I longed to go to, the country I studied about in geography, martial arts, anime, people/friends, singing class etc... had not sunk in. I did not believe it, would not believe it until I set foot in Tokyo.

My dad, boss, and travel partner asked me why I was not excited, as it was both of our first times going there. I acted nonchalant and tired, but inside I was excited. Inwardly, I was collecting and priming all the information I knew about this country - geography, language, cultural nuances...etc. I should have been born Japanese; I have dabbled and obsessed of all cultures around the world: I love people, places, language, culture... of all types. It is fascinating.

On the plane, it was the old type of 747, with TV only on the top of the cabin. We flew to the west coast from where we followed the west coast up to Canadian west coast, Alaska, and the Kamchatka peninsula down over to the Japanese Archipelago. There it was Shikoku, Kyushu, Honshu and Hokkaido, the four main islands of Japan. There was Narita International Airport; we landed. We were here. It was still an hour to Tokyo and I was exhausted, however our Japanese colleague was meeting us there. I was unsure as we suddenly didn't have working cell phones, did not know the language, disoriented, did not know the place... I was a foreigner in a foreign land! He was there though, sure enough, waiting, with a very welcoming smile. I was so pleased to see him. It was familiarity, a friend, in an unknown land. I welcomed it and embraced it.

When we reached the hotel, I was eager to rest, shower, however now we were on official business, so 5 minutes in the room, then we go for dinner. Lucky for me drinking sake was a custom in Japanese business. We had great food, which was highly exotic, however I do not recollect through the haze of jetlag and lots of sake! I rested well on an extra firm bed, and a very special pillow which had some rice/beans/beads in it. I have never slept that well in my life! I want that bed, and pillow back.

The toilet was exceptional - it was so interactive - there was a bidet - spray for the front and the back. There was a dryer, there was a toilet seat warmer, there was a constant flushing noise, there was different spray levels, I forget what else there was. However it was the best experience ever, and I wish we, in oh so developed USA would have that too. If only.

In Tokyo, everyone stands on the right in the escalators letting the people in a hurry pass on the left. People keep the city, public places, everywhere clean just out of common - civic sense. The people never show negative emotions in public, perhaps very rarely if so. This might seem oppressive, but it is just the way they are. It's the discipline they follow. It is just their culture.

Sometimes I really missed rocking out to rock music, and just dancing, but when do I ever do that here? I was on constant business mode, and having to "behave", this is hard for me to do, so I was on edge at times. On the edge of just bursting into song, or going loco in public... I imagine I was an oddity in general, as I usually am anyway. However I did enjoy the tranquility that came with this culture, discipline etc. When we went to visit a temple in Tokyo, and a little garden that accompanied it; it was just beautiful, and peaceful. I never felt or saw anything like it.

The food, and our hosts were exceptional, and the business went better than planned by everyone. In the end nothing was lost in translation, it was at times difficult, but with a smile, gestures and basic Japanese words one can get by. I learned that knowing the words for "bathroom" "food" and "water" are the most important. In fact enacting "bathroom" is so difficult to a person who has no idea what - loo, restroom, toilets, washroom, bathroom, shower means... After quite a bit of gesturing she understood, (I enacted washing my face, brushing my teeth, and then I was gesturing sitting down to potty, and then she got it!).

The people in restaurants are so happy, even early in the mornings... I was so curious about this "happiness" all the time phenomena, however it was explained to me that "would you want to go to a restaurant and receive bad service?" The answer is, obviously not, but all over the world it happens. However in Japan it doesn't as far as I experienced. Also despite the awesome and pleasant service, no one tips. Coming back to USA, it is so hard to tip, when service is usually sub par. I wish I could express here how I was greeted, and how huge the smiles of everyone was, but some of the pictures would hopefully depict that.

Everything is seen to perfection. Everything is perfect as seen in the food served below. Its not only delicious but looks good, tastes good, and served in pleasant atmosphere. So this is what zen eating is.

It was in all an awesome experience. I would go back any day!If you can, GO THERE!