I have two weeks until I finish my first semester of uni for Japan and I get my much rewarded summer vacation (travelling with family - I can not wait!). But with that being said I still have about 8 months still in Japan and if I think about it, if I thought 3.5 months was a really long time, 8 months is going to be a killer! Don't get me wrong, being in Japan has been such a life changer. I've met so many amazing and kind Japanese people. I'm growing up and I'm becoming a stronger person in a lot of aspects but the loneliness will get to you. It's the little bug that some days you just miss your family and friends.
If anyone has seen Lost in Translation, it will describe what I'm feeling at this right moment. When Scarlett is getting around Tokyo and she's on the train and she just stares at the man reading an erotic manga out in the open because it is so acceptable - that is me everyday when the most ridiculous things are acceptable but the most simple issues aren't. Or even when Bill Murray is trying to have a photo-shoot and he has a translator giving translations on what the photographer wants and he feels hopeless and irritated because he believes the translator is doing a sloppy job (which she is btw) and he just wants to know what he is saying but can't - he is literally lost in translation (me).
To continue on with the culture, the do's and the don'ts it seriously kills me and I honeslty believe one bad day I will snap and tell off a Japanese person and ask them WHY haha (but I won't). One thing that will always bug me, and I will never get over are the train etiquette in Japan. Like buses back at home with priority seating for elderly, pregnant or disabled, they also have them in Japan's train. So pretty much about say two to three carts there is one little section for priority seating. The thing is when all the seats are taken and an elderly walks in the train, no one, and I mean NO ONE gets up for them, because for one they just don't and two because it isn't a priority seat they don't need to get up. And trust me the elderly at times have a cane! It pisses me off so much! SO MUCH. It is something that was never taught in Australia but simply common sense. One time, an elderly man sat next to me and his wife had no seat so she opted to stand in front of her husband. I got up immediately for her to sit down next to her husband and her reaction went on for too long that I was embarrassed I actually got up LOL. She was seriously very thankful and her reaction was if I did the most ridiculous thing and no one has ever done that for her. Really Japan? Come on...
I've been told/taught that situations like these where no one does anything or no one says anything is because Japan's culture is to just avoid awkward situations and to avoid confrontation. But when reading erotica manga is acceptable and common but getting up for an elderly or disabled person isn't, you know something is a bit off.
Pushing my little effects of culture shock, man home sickness. I am incredibly busy so at times I have no time to think but the golden times when I'm free, I'm missing my family and friends so much. Simple things with food, I am no domestic goddess and running out of ideas on what to cook gets old real fast. I haven't had a decent filipino meal in 3.5 months so I am malnourished of oil and fat. Also my heart is malnourished because a meal cooked by mum is the most hearty meal ever. That being said I miss my mum so much, more so when I find out how incredibly useless I am. I called her this week to ask her when to add bleach to my whites or if it's okay if I don't put powder and skip to liquid and also tips on how to get rid of stains cause they ain't going anywhere after two washes! I just want to come home and have a pot of sinigang...
Day by day goes by and I'm continuously learning a million things. To language, new words/grammar in Japanese, to Japanese culture or just about myself. Everyday my brain is on overdrive and I'm constantly educating myself. It feels good, no it feels amazing. Especially when one day I feel like going somewhere new or trying new things, it seriously a simple hand reach and I have it. Meeting interesting people every week, learning new things, travelling ... I guess the cons overtake the pros and I am so lucky to be here and in all honesty I am grateful.
But damn... I miss home! And I miss Australian culture! Hahaha. So that was just all my thoughts spewed in one massive rant. I think I should avoid just doing brief summary on my trips and actually blog more about weird experiences instead of keeping them to myself, probably healthier haha.
Love G.
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