Because I know you care about this stuff
On my way out of Japan, in the Narita National Airport near Tokyo, on the down escalator from the departure area I waved goodbye to my host sister and mother, smiles and salutations of both sides. The American business man (you could tell, trust me) in front of me turned and said "Looks like you had a good time" I admitted that I had, but was glad to be going home. He agreed, and we started listing foods that we would enjoy on our return: hot dogs, American pizza, pancakes, among others.
"But you'll get a turnaround feeling once you're home for a while, in about three weeks, you'll want to be back in Japan" were his words to me. I admitted that he might be right, as we passed through the passport station thing and into the gates area. It turned out that he had been going back and forth between Japan and America for 10 years, with about 6 trips in all. Though I admitted that he might have a point there, I was pretty sure that it would take a wee bit more time for me to wish to be back. I had enjoyed a lot of Japan, two months worth, and I was so ready to be home. So ready. I wanted familiar things, where I could feel at least semi in control, and not be lost so damn much. I wanted to have half a world in between Haruhisa and I.
I was right. It took about five months (damn, it has been that long) for the feeling "I would really like to be in Japan right now" to hit. I returned on May 26th, and I wanted to be back in Japan September 20th. There are some things I really do miss, or remember so very fondly.
Onigiri and fruit juice (my standby meal), Milk Tea, 3 flavor buns, Morning rice with mix-ins, Match, Green Tea, Dango, Matchi Softo. Waiting for trains. The crossroads of Hiroshima. Raining in Nara. Eating on my own for the first time in the Nagoya park. Planning my day with a guide book and a subway map. God, I miss that. Public baths. Cherry blossoms, the Fairy Cherry Tree. Pathways in Kyoto. Broken English conversations with strangers. The water in Nikko. Toba and Mikimoto Pearl Island. Sea Paradise. Fushimi Inari, the pathways around the mountains. If I ever return to Japan, a day or maybe two will be devoted to that place. Subways, and public transportation in general. Hanging laundry outside. The smell and feel of Tatami mats and futons. The ticket gates at train stations. Train stations. Sanrio, COPO, Design Festa, Nakano Broadway, Mandarake in Shibuya, Ebisu Bookstore, Temple markets, Kinokunia, Asobit City. Parks. Yen. A lot of other stuff.
Right after getting back, I was feeling mostly relief at coming home. Japan was sweet, but let's have some English! I know of course that it was my own damn fault for not learning Japanese before I went, but I still missed effective communication. I enjoyed doors that locked. Even my dorm room now, which I share, has more privacy than my room in Tokyo. Oh, doors that lock. I was generally very glad to be back. Yay America. Let's have some pie.
I don't think I'm really ready to go back yet. For one, I don't have the money. I don't really have the time (my summers are booked up with a job, hopefully). I do know that if I did go, I'd like it to be on my own again. I don't think I could stand the structure and restrictions of a group after managing on my own. I would like to travel from one end of Japan to the other, maybe during Sakura season again, or fell, which is also supposed to be lovely.
Maybe ten or so years from now I'll go. I'll be able to visit Kanako, and see all of my host families again. I plan on staying in touch with them. Don't let me forget to send them Christmas cards. Maybe I'll have better Japanese by then. I do want to travel to other countries between now and then, but Japan will always be my first love.
"But you'll get a turnaround feeling once you're home for a while, in about three weeks, you'll want to be back in Japan" were his words to me. I admitted that he might be right, as we passed through the passport station thing and into the gates area. It turned out that he had been going back and forth between Japan and America for 10 years, with about 6 trips in all. Though I admitted that he might have a point there, I was pretty sure that it would take a wee bit more time for me to wish to be back. I had enjoyed a lot of Japan, two months worth, and I was so ready to be home. So ready. I wanted familiar things, where I could feel at least semi in control, and not be lost so damn much. I wanted to have half a world in between Haruhisa and I.
I was right. It took about five months (damn, it has been that long) for the feeling "I would really like to be in Japan right now" to hit. I returned on May 26th, and I wanted to be back in Japan September 20th. There are some things I really do miss, or remember so very fondly.
Onigiri and fruit juice (my standby meal), Milk Tea, 3 flavor buns, Morning rice with mix-ins, Match, Green Tea, Dango, Matchi Softo. Waiting for trains. The crossroads of Hiroshima. Raining in Nara. Eating on my own for the first time in the Nagoya park. Planning my day with a guide book and a subway map. God, I miss that. Public baths. Cherry blossoms, the Fairy Cherry Tree. Pathways in Kyoto. Broken English conversations with strangers. The water in Nikko. Toba and Mikimoto Pearl Island. Sea Paradise. Fushimi Inari, the pathways around the mountains. If I ever return to Japan, a day or maybe two will be devoted to that place. Subways, and public transportation in general. Hanging laundry outside. The smell and feel of Tatami mats and futons. The ticket gates at train stations. Train stations. Sanrio, COPO, Design Festa, Nakano Broadway, Mandarake in Shibuya, Ebisu Bookstore, Temple markets, Kinokunia, Asobit City. Parks. Yen. A lot of other stuff.
Right after getting back, I was feeling mostly relief at coming home. Japan was sweet, but let's have some English! I know of course that it was my own damn fault for not learning Japanese before I went, but I still missed effective communication. I enjoyed doors that locked. Even my dorm room now, which I share, has more privacy than my room in Tokyo. Oh, doors that lock. I was generally very glad to be back. Yay America. Let's have some pie.
I don't think I'm really ready to go back yet. For one, I don't have the money. I don't really have the time (my summers are booked up with a job, hopefully). I do know that if I did go, I'd like it to be on my own again. I don't think I could stand the structure and restrictions of a group after managing on my own. I would like to travel from one end of Japan to the other, maybe during Sakura season again, or fell, which is also supposed to be lovely.
Maybe ten or so years from now I'll go. I'll be able to visit Kanako, and see all of my host families again. I plan on staying in touch with them. Don't let me forget to send them Christmas cards. Maybe I'll have better Japanese by then. I do want to travel to other countries between now and then, but Japan will always be my first love.