Impressions of a Gai-Jin
It's said that when visiting a place as mysterious and different as the far east, the trip doesn't stop upon returning to home soil.
Indeed, it's been two weeks since I last set foot upon American soil, and I'm barely able to say I've adequately adjusted to being an American in America. I visited Kyoto and also spent some time in Nagoya, Osaka, and the serene mountain town of Ohara. It's interesting that the age-old fascinations with the ways of the far east have always been coupled with a mistrust of that part of the world... for as I stepped forth from the 777 that bore me across the mighty Pacific (also having provided majestic views of Canadian and Alaskan glaciers) I never felt so at peace in my life on earth.
There is an overwhelming civility that governs life in Japan. The level of mutual trust that is extended, even to foreigners, is almost embarrassing, but one can feel very much at home regardless of one's background. It's the first place outside of the wilds of Texas in which I've felt truly at home with myself, and I plan on doing whatever it takes to get there again...
Indeed, it's been two weeks since I last set foot upon American soil, and I'm barely able to say I've adequately adjusted to being an American in America. I visited Kyoto and also spent some time in Nagoya, Osaka, and the serene mountain town of Ohara. It's interesting that the age-old fascinations with the ways of the far east have always been coupled with a mistrust of that part of the world... for as I stepped forth from the 777 that bore me across the mighty Pacific (also having provided majestic views of Canadian and Alaskan glaciers) I never felt so at peace in my life on earth.
There is an overwhelming civility that governs life in Japan. The level of mutual trust that is extended, even to foreigners, is almost embarrassing, but one can feel very much at home regardless of one's background. It's the first place outside of the wilds of Texas in which I've felt truly at home with myself, and I plan on doing whatever it takes to get there again...