WanderingWhy…

We never intended to go to Japan. I guess we didn’t think it was possible. I think we have been brainwashed to believe Japan is far too expensive for any mortal. Yes, it is if you buy the things that are imported and special. I saw a cantaloupe for $25, yet we had a sushi dinner for $15. In convenience stores you won’t find the mystery plastic wrapped substance we seem to call food but fresh rice cakes, a prepared meal, or sushi any of which can be had for less than $5. WD laughed at my endless grin as I filled my face at every opportunity.

Convenience is Japan. There are more vending machines then I have ever seen in my life, more than six million according to our guidebook. Water, green tea, and coffee are never more than a few steps away to keep the nation caffeinated and working hard–and work they do. We met a Japanese girl on the street our first night in Tokyo who helped us find our hotel and offered her friendship. Naoko works the normal 13 hours a day in Tokyo yet still found the time to take us, as well as our fellow traveler Gerald, to a local restaurant for dumplings and fielded all our ignorant questions about Japan.

Her kindness was not unusual but the norm in Japan. I have never witnessed such a wonderfully complex culture where help and kindness is expected from everyone, where saying the word “No” makes you look like a barbarian, where perfection is sought in every single little thing, where refinement is a never ending process, where people still respect tradition, and where elegance is taken to an art practiced by everyone. It all adds up to one of the most amazing places I have even been.

One of the highlights was a trip to the Tsukiji Fish Market. Action in the market starts around 5 am. A fish market early in the morning you say? I am probably out of my mind yes, but it really is worth the effort. I think the Japanese empty half the Pacific each morning and efficiently ship it all off. The amount and quality of the seafood is mind-blowing and as WD was happy to learn, there is hardly any smell!

Efficiency is another thing the Japanese have mastered. We were two minutes late for our 9:03 high speed train to Kyoto and missed it. So we had to wait 20 whole minutes for the next one. WD adds: no one talks on their cell phone on public transport, they text instead as not to disturb other passengers. No eating or drinking on the subway either…except my barbarian husband, how embarrassing!

I think the Japanese sense of order really appealed to WD’s type A personality. It could explain why leaving my socks on the bedroom floor at home is equivalent to a felony-just call me Cretan. WD adds: There are hardly any trash cans in Japan (even when the G8 summit is not going on and they are removed. read:good bomb hiding places). But Japan is so clean! You are expected to carry your trash home and sort it if you cannot find a recycle can.

We only stayed for six days in this incredible place and wished it could have been six months. Considering it was never part of the plan we were very thankful to have had a taste, however small. A year in Japan alone could be as fascinating as traveling the world-it is a world all its own.

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