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...