Hey guys,
Been in Kyoto for almost a week now. Have to admit that there has been a bit of readjusting to get used to it. Goes without saying that not knowing the language makes things harder. But people really do try, so it's more on me not to be too shy. I'm realizing that although I like challenges, I don't enjoy so much the isolation that comes with cultural barrier, but that'll come down to attitude at the end of the day.
The room I have is about my arm span wide by about 2 long. Walls are paper thin and am next to a school that has music lesson every afternoon(musics quite awesome actually, I really appreciate it). I have a room on 2nd floor, facing east, a school with a relative spacious view. The 2 hours in the afternoons are rad - Drums, clarinets, trumpets, saxophones, and a trombone all going for it. This poor girl on the trombone doing scales for that time. She must of been no older than 11,very dedicated. The thought of it helps keep me going, some how her dedication rubs off, I really do admire and respect their attitudes, truly incredible. What's not so nice is the bathrooms and kitchen. I have always said I can rough it, now it's time to prove it. By the time I'm finished here, no one will say I'm slow in the bathroom. Living with mostly Chinese people. To give you an idea there's is about 25 rooms to 3 or 4 toilets. 6 showers to 50. 100ish total rooms in the whole complex. After experiencing the clean and tidiness everywhere, including in tight spaces, I wasn't prepared coming here, though I do believe that this place is an exception, every other place I've been has been clean and tidy to level thats unbelievable! It's amazing noticing the different cultural things. The good thing in Japan is that your generally fine as long as you are polite. People are very gracious as long as your sincere and polite. Also they smoke everywhere (everywhere, no where is sacred it seems, what in the toilet? Really? Come on, who has ash trays in the toilet?) some people do it seems, not that I have a problem with it, as long as the toilet seat is heated. I got the impression that in Osaka the are being to clamp down on it (on the smoking, not the toilet seats), for example, not smoking in the hotels. From what I hear, the areas you can smoke I now are quite restricted, though unsure of what the restrictions are. I think the guy in the room next to me has had too much coffee. I'm contemplating oiling the hinges on his door.
I'm finding that mentality of observing, but not judging very healthy. Not easy to do. But I'm finding that if you choose accept and like people regardless, it's easier. A very important lesson for myself. I normally try to be like that anyway, but when in a different culture, there's less try and more do (said yoda).
Meet the class, a good bunch, I'm really fortunate to have the class mates I have. We all went out to lunch and it's easy conversation(too easy, some no English laws are coming up I think).
It's awesome seeing the others, mostly European (mostly Swedish), mostly in the same boat as i with varying levels of understanding. Two young guys in particular from Sweden, hard out into anime, with good Japanese language foundations. Another chap, Paul from England, exactly the same as me, just 35 with long term girlfriend here with him who is a Japanese translator, and he's a civil engineer, otherwise on same page. There is one aussie guy though... Funny as hell character (not that hell is funny, but this guy is), is incredibly self confident and knows allot of japanese, lol, a good chap (offered me 1000yen for lunch to save me trekking off to find an ATM first time meeting!). Looking forward to the routine and getting to know the people there , our teachers are very good too, very patient and helpful.
I've decided that heated toilet seats are the greatest thing since cheese on pizza. ...mm pizza, I can almost remember what that tastes like....
All in all, it has been a good challenge. I'm too timid for my own good. But I reflect back on even just the last few days, and although I have a lot of character building to go, it has been really good for me. I'm sure that there will be plenty more challenges ahead. This is really extending me, and I'm purposely not relying on 'things' that will make it easier as far as avoiding the issue goes (eg. Whisky (lol), or relying on others to do the talking,etc).
Replies will be quite slow I'm afraid, it seems the Internet that Ive been using wasn't the one the living complex gave me, someone's bared access to that one, and the one I have seems to be only plug in... A bit hard on an iPad (bought attachments and still no luck). Can get sim for ipad because it has to be bought in japan to work. Free wifi spots are far and few, and never seem to work lol.
Take care you'll, hope to be in touch soon!!
kiwo tsukete! (take care)
Asher
Asher
Location:Kyoto
