I am officially done teaching English! It's crazy to think a year has gone by already, when it seems like just yesterday I was stepping off the plane feeling completely bewildered and lost. I don't feel lost anymore, but I don't feel like this is home either. There are some people who come to Japan and feel like they fit in here, like this is where they belong, but I don't feel that way. Living here for the time that I have has been so incredibly amazing, I've seen and experienced so many new and interesting things and I feel quite sure that I have changed as a person because of those experiences, but I think if I stayed here for too long I would lose the admiration I have for Japan and its culture. My highest level student wrote to me in a card, "You have adjusted perfectly, it seems to me, and have kept a good balance of working and playing. You are not a visitor, or sightseer. You have lived here. That's important." Her message made me really happy and I am glad that she does not just see me as a tourist, because I certainly don't feel like one. Some people have mentioned experiencing "reverse culture shock" upon returning to their home countries from Japan, but two of my friends have told me that it really doesn't take long at all before things that are different from Japan seem normal again. I don't think it will take me long to adjust back to the way things were "pre-Japan" but there are some things I will miss, these are the top 10:
10) The crepes from Harajuku
9) Standing to the left on escalators to let people in a hurry get by
8) Receiving omiyage (souvenirs/gifts) whenever people come back from a trip
7) Always removing our shoes at home and at traditional style restaurants
6) Hot cocoa in vending machines from October-March
5) Reliable public transportation, specifically, the trains.
4) The beautiful shrines and temples that are all over Japan
3) The random acts of kindness from Japanese people that I meet. Just two days ago an old man and his wife paid for my entire meal at my local sushi place.
2) My bike, Clementine. Yes... I named my bike. I sold her yesterday. Clementine, I will never forget you.
1) My amazing friends, whom I will also never forget.
I still have about two weeks left before I leave Japan, but if a year can go by so fast then two weeks will literally be nothing. But hey, a lot can come from nothing.
9 years ago
2 comments:
Awwwww, this was a LOVELY post, Leila-la! I'm SOOOOOOO glad that you picked yourself up and went off and did this! And I'm sooooo glad that we have a picture of you on "Clementine". :-) What your student wrote was very nice, and true. And it's true--the "random acts of kindness" thing with the Japanese people IS something that I really enjoyed during even our short visit there...it's really such a wonderful aspect of their culture.
I will miss reading your reflections on your life in Japan. Your descriptions of the Japanese people, their culture,parks, monuments, and temples left me with a very positive feeling for the Japanese in general. I would love to go and see the country. It appears to me that you have learned a lot as a result of this experience. Have a wonderful trip to Thailand. I'm looking forward to seeing you soon. Love Auntie E
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