We had two colleagues from Japan join my team for two weeks. It was a great expereince to share cultures, workflows and real work expereince for comparison between the US and Japan. We did lot of activitys outside of work and had some fun. Angie joined for on the weekend activities. It will be a very memorable time for all involved.
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Honshu and Okinawa
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I am back. I spent 10 days in Japan, 5 days for work on the main island of Honshu and 5 days of solo adventure in Okinawa.
Travel is so invigorating dispite the uncomfortableness. Jetlag, anxiety, crowds, and other discomforts aside, it is mind-expanding and rewarding.
Work went well.
I flew a new airline (Skymark) from Tokyo to Naha. I am always wary of strange discount airlines and all the traps they set. However, I had a great expereince with "Sky". I was actually shocked. Super easy checkin at the airport, no extra fees even with extra luggage.
The primary mission in Okinawa was to visit the Peace Park and the suicide cliffs of Okinawa. From what I understand, at the end of WW2 the inhabitants were encouraged to commit suicide rather than surrender to the Americans and get tortured and eaten. Besides other types of suicide, they jumped off the cliffs at the Southern end of the main island. If you have seen the original color footage taken at the time, I am sure you were moved with images of mothers holding their babies jumping to their deaths. Humans can do better. Peace. I also thought about how a human leader can seem like a better option and potentially more satisfying than faith in a deity.
I did many other things and firsts.
I rented a car in Japan. The car was a Suzuki "Smile", a kei car. It was very funny looking and certainly not available in the US. It was a "must rent" for me. From the outside it is comical looking and beholds 660cc of brute power. It is minimal indeed. I found the car to be incrediblely large on the inside despite the comparison to other vehicles. I have expereince driving on the left side of the roads, but I must concentrate more. I can't let my guard down. I have learned that if I become complacent driving on the left side, I can find myself in a dangerous situation. I did well in Japan where precison driving in the norm.
I visited Tokyo tower (somehow I didn't do it years ago in Tokyo).
I practiced my Japanese. Although I was mostly very shy during my work week, I did experiment getting the critical muscle memory developed actually trying to communicate with Japanese words. Being able to be vulnerable and put myself into embarashing sistuations is an avenue for growth. I found myself several times during this trip with some familiar self-talk "Do something everyday that you find a little scary". The Japanese almost always smiled even with just a few words spoken in Japanese.
I took a ferry to Zamami and Aka islands. Getting out on the water when you are an island is never a mistake. It was a great adventure.
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Anonymous said…
What fun! Thanks for sharing your extensive travels. I think you were considering a job in this area when you came to So CA... and you've stayed busy and productive! I've been to <10 countries and (at 84) my daughter says my travel days are over! [I worked for TWO airlines in the '80's...and my [THEN] husband wouldn't fly] Regards to Angie. Stay well. Kathie Wolin Laguna Woods Affordable Travel Club.
Kathy, It is good to hear from you! I appreciate your expert guidance in SoCal when I was there. Its a pity you couldn't share the travel bug back in the day. Keep moving and doing, which I am sure you are.
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