The end and beginning

I had to make an exception for my last 'Nia in Macau' post because technically I am not in Macau. I happened to leave before I could wrap things up. Considering there were so many rich and plentiful postings, I can leave knowing that I was able to share quite a considerable amount of experiences.

I left Macau, but that doesn't mean it's over. Nope, not even close. I continue onto the next adventure which hopefully will be filled with a wide array of stories that reveal me successfully adapting to new challenges. I must confess that I left out some intriguing tales that I never had the chance to share, but not to worry. Maybe one day I will write a book.

Next stop: France...

The Japanese: A Rich Culture

The Japanese are wonderful people. They are constantly thanking you. The bus driver thanks someone every time he stops; when you walk into a store the employees greet you and also when you leave; people bow (more like a nod) and say hello wherever you go; and even when you go into a restaurant and try to communicate with no success, they are still thankful you came. I was at the airport trying to change my ticket and I got some wrong information. The woman ran up to me, apologized, and corrected her mistake. What!? It all seems so genuine. After some self-reflection, I feel rude.

It's unbelievable. I have never been to a place like this in my life. Everything has the upmost quality, which is probably why they are so successful and wealthy. Even after a disaster, the people are so beautiful. No, they are wonderful. I do not doubt that they will make a strong recovery. I was thanked so much for being in their country visiting. I didn't meet anyone who wasn't having a good time.

All the streets are so clean! I have never seen cleaner streets anywhere else besides Germany and that was in small towns. They have a very organized method of recycling. I was always very conscience of what I was throwing away and how I did it. I rode a bike for two days while in Kyoto and I kept stopping and noticing all the house exteriors were so clean. I rubbed one with my figure and it was virtually spotless.

Kyoto has all the things I love in life squished together in one package. I am still impressed. I am thinking of starting a "You Must Go To Japan" campaign. I don't think anyone would be disappointed.

Kyoto: the city of many treasures

If I were not moving to France, I would live in Japan...

My first and only taste of Japan was Narita Airport. We were flying from Los Angeles to Manila and we stopped in Narita. I was quite fascinated by the calm nature of the people and the tidiness. I knew that there was so much more to experience, but we were not staying so my thoughts shifted to our final destination.

When I moved to Macau, I wanted to go to Japan no doubt about it. The only question was: When? I was so overwhelmed by all the inexpensive places to visit that Japan faded into the background. Then the tsunami hit. I was so discouraged because I didn't know if it was a good idea to go. I read about the status of the country online through the eyes of locals. It seemed like there were more exaggerations from other countries than from Japan itself. I went to Yuki, my Japanese friend I currently work with, and asked where I should go. She recommend Kyoto and I did not hesitate. I knew it was further away from the dangerous places and probably the best choice.

I could not have imagined what I saw. Kyoto is truly a treasure to behold. Like some guidebooks say, you do have to go seek out these treasures. Once you begin to find them, there will be something fascinating around ever corner.

This is just a taste...

Still here

It's difficult to see the sunset here. You have to be in the right place at the right time. Usually while the sun is setting, I am leaving work. Depending on whether the sky is clear, I may be able to catch a glimpse of the sun descending just before it is covered by the mountains. I captured this moment on my way home one evening.

This one idea makes me think of my life here. I just catch a glimpse while missing the greater picture. Life here is perfect, almost too perfect. I get a good salary, living expenses are reasonable, I can travel every week, there is a fusion of culture, and it's different. Macau has given me a glimpse of life and caused me to reflect on what I want, my true desires. I could be satisfied with what I have here, but deep down I know there is so much more. I want to see what is behind the mountain, I want the complete view and not just a glimpse...

A Year in Review

Right now I am sitting at one of my favorite spots in Macau. There are five round benches in a row. One night I danced around on bench while it rained. I felt so free. I have now been in Macau more than 1 year, it seems like so much has happened.

I have seen more this one year than I have seen in the past ten. My experiences are priceless. I discovered Hong Kong with new friends. I dared friends to try snake blood in Taipei. I discovered interesting customs in mainland China. I went diving for the first time in Borneo. I had a 3-day marathon half awake and half sleep in Singapore, only to return wanting more. I rode an untamed elephant, risking death in Phuket. And that's the shortened version.

Something I have realized is the idea of entitlement. I came here with expectations ingrained in me from my youth; yet when I fully experienced life here, all of that was thrown out the window. People are all different. They all have values and beliefs that are not always shared with mine. My eyes have been opened to the fact that I cannot assume everyone has the same mindset as me. It's narrow-minded to have such a minute view of people. I have been awakened to truth. Once you have tasted the splendor of God's creation, you keep wanting more. I can't say what is next, but all I know is I want more.

Out-of-towners

I am at home now, in Macau, living out of my backpack. Actually, I am choosing to live out of a bag because it's much easier. My parents are in town this week. They are experiencing life on the other side of the world. What is weird, new, and different to them is actually normal life to me. I have been here almost a year and the place is starting to get less strange. It's great having them here. They are so quirky and fun, much cooler than I. Being around them defines me more and more.

We explored Hong Kong and saw a few of the many sights there are to see. We walked and walked, which felt terrible and great simultaneously. A funny thing is we kept having to stop and find a toilet. Though I felt inconvenienced by this fact, I usually I had to go every time. I wonder what the means? The great thing is when you gotta go, I will almost always be able to find a place in Hong Kong or Macau. My apologies in advanced for the squatty potties, but you get used to them.

Next on the agenda: Explore Macau, and then off to Singapore. We have a full trip and are not even half way there. So far so good, and they are still smiling...

My Job

This post should have been written earlier. As a February bonus, I am going to explain my job in the most unbiased way. There will be much restraint. This post, in essence, will explain why I am here and how I have remained in this country. I realize that this post may take the intrigue and excitement out of my job but it's been gone for a while.

My day starts like most others. I arrive close to 9am, which is my start time. There is not much preparation so I don't need to arrive earlier. My actual preparation takes place on the 15 minute walk to work from my apartment. We start with laundry. Actually we enter the drying room to remove racks of clothing that block the shoes. For those who don't know, I started working on costumes and now my expertise has turned to shoes. Basically it's the same as before so instead of repairing costumes, I repair shoes. I have replaced my constant use of needles and thread with toxic glue and toothpicks. Once there is room to get near the shoes we start the magic. Susana and I split the work load, and together we examine every shoe so that we can identify if there are loose soles, holes, or any other needed. A special glue is used for most of our work along with leather and, at times, needles and thread. (My partner in crime on the left.)

Everyday can have it's own unique challenges. At times we may have fittings with "the artists" or there may be a mass fitting with many at one time. We may need to attend the beginning of training sessions to issue shoes. Usually the mornings are quiet, which we love. Once the attendants arrive, they may throw more work at us which is attempted to be done swiftly before the show call. After lunch is usually when I paint, which is my favorite part of the job. Most of our shoes need to be painted so we try to do that after repairs. There is also inventory, alterations, and general upkeep that needs to be done daily. Basically that is my job. When people find out what I do and they think it sounds cool. Yes, it sounds cool but it is not much more than a cool sounding job. Sorry for any disappointments...

Photos are the joys of my job. (The slave-driving attendants below)