New Sights, New Sounds

Brad and I ventured out on our own for the first time to explore the city.  We walked for hours in every direction taking in the sights and sounds- the constant drone of the Sacade (Simi)  is something to ponder.  If you focus on the sound of one single insect I would have to classify it as annoying but with thousands of Sacade singing in harmony the frequency becomes soothing and something you don't hear unless wanted.  Having said that, they are giant cockroaches flying around looking more like birds and I wonder how is something so ugly though of as so mystical and beautiful in my mind...Simi (see- mee) or samurai insect they call it.

As we wondered around town we stumbled across numerous rice fields sporadically throughout the town- the same as you would find community gardens in Victoria.  As we wondered through one rice field trying to catch frogs, houses and mountains  framing the florescent green fields we were caught in a torrential downpour- a warm rain that caused steam to rise from the ground beneath us.   I looked at Brad while a smile on my face and arms reached to the sky "It doesn't get any more Japanese than this"

On our way home we found a local Yakatori (chicken skewer) restaurant for dinner only two blocks from our house- every part of the chicken served on a skewer and grilled to perfection.  It will be the 5th Street Bar and Grill of Japan.


As strange as this place is, there is something vaguely familiar.  It is comfortable here.

The Arrival

Surprisingly, I felt settled during the ten and a half hour flight from Vancouver, British Columbia to Narita Airport Japan.  I felt relaxed, ready to take on whatever was about to come my way.  The calmness felt strange...I have grown accustomed to the high and lows of my own emotional roller coaster- this sense of tranquility has me confused.  I tried to embrace the calmness and reminded myself to listen to the language of the world- i must be on the right path- everything to this point has been so easy.  Maybe it has been so long since I had traveled down this "path" that i forgot how it feels.  Maybe I was never on it until now?

"My dear friends and Family, clearly you will be missed- however, the possibilities and opportunities this move is bound to provide overcomes my sadness and has filled me with  sheer glee, excitement and anticipation. "  Journal entry August. 31, 2010

I wonder what life in Japan will be like:

Will I be able to understand anything?
Will the country meet my expectations (they are set extremely high at this point)
Will I come back to Canada?
Where will be go next?
Will my hard work and passion compare to the dedication and pride that is instilled in the Japanese people?
Will I be successful?


After three days in Tokyo attending countless meetings, seminars and banquet receptions I traveled  four hours by buss to central Honshu, got in a car with a lady I  met fifteen minutes prior (who speaks limited English) and drove another hour to my new home- Aizu Wakamtsu, Fukushima-ken.  My first night was spent in her families house with her inlaws, her sixteen year old daughter, ten year old son and her husband- non of which spoke any English and I, of course, did not take the time to learn Japanese....her husband kept trying to speak to me in Japanese always expecting a response and looking increasingly displeased each time i could not give one.

It is a funny thing not to understand a single thing that is going on around you...Have you ever wondered what it would be like to walk down the street and not be able to read a single sign, to nodd and say "hai" at least 20 times a day even though you don't have a clue what you just agreed too.  Unable to eaves drop on the conversation(s) going on around you even if you stare directly at the people?  Move to Japan.
Each day i get up and get ready for work; I do my hair, I pack a lunch- I do everything the same as in Canada but the fact of the matter is, there is no purpose to my movement.   i am going through the motions pretending i know where I am going and what I should be doing but they are only actions.  Most days I am not even sure my feet are touching the ground.  Its like I have just moved to the other side of the world where everything is upside down and I haven't been flipped yet.