8 days have already passed. Time goes by too fast nowadays. Before we have our free half-day, Jayson planned a closing lunch just to debrief our 8 days we've experienced. We head to Umeda to eat okonomiyaki (お好み焼き). I've been waiting to eat okonomiyaki since the last trip. This is Osaka food. Too bad we couldn't go to the popular local spot Yoko talked about.As we wait for our orders, Jayson briefly goes over the 8 days. We have gone to a lot of place in just 8 days. There is so much information to digest. My mind is overworked and overloaded. It's hard when you have two summer courses. Last year was a little easier with just one. Another thing he goes over is the blog. I really wasn't looking forward to typing another blog. It takes a lot of work to do this type of blog where you have to take the readings and discussions and apply it to where we have been. I know I should have taken better notes, but my energy was drained out of me by the heatwave.
After lunch, we have free time to roam around the area. Bev, Rei, Kuki and I head to Yodobashi Camera. On the way, we find another Uniqlo. It's amazing that you can find more things to buy at each Uniqlo location. Next we head into EST. I'm not really sure which way to go after that, so I ask someone how to get to the station since I remember Yodobashi being by the station. Every time I ask for directions, it seems like I get the same answer: "Straight that way."
It's time to head back. We have to get to the limo bus to get back to the airport. I can't believe we're going home. It seems like we just got here. I can't believe all the stuff I bought this year. Instead of bringing home two suitcases, I have three. I don't mind paying for the extra check-in, it's worth it.
On the ride to the airport, Jayson starts talking about the extra credit; that we should consider trying to do it. I make a comment that it's hard. When I think about it, people on Maui are so busy with trying to make ends meet that they don't have time to make a difference about their community. I can think of all these types of solutions to ease the costs of transportation on Maui by using Japan's examples, but I have a hard time figuring out where I can fit it in my schedule to actually go out and do something. I know it's bad to not make my voice heard, but when you're tired, you don't want to yell.I try to reflect on what has happened on this whole trip and how it has changed me. During the trip, Jayson has told us that he's seen us grown since the last trip, and for the new people they have grown from the beginning of the trip. I know that I'm not the same person as last year. Last year, I was very timid. This year I was more confident in walking around a place that I didn't know. I wonder how this trip has changed me this time. I'll see when I adjust back to Hawaii's environment.
I also have a chance to really see the connection of tradition and modernity in Japan through the areas of Kyoto and Osaka. I realize that's each area's niche. Kyoto is all about preserving traditions. From the Gion Matsuri to restoring and upkeeping its temple, Kyoto shows off to its visitors where they came from. The past is what makes them whole.
Osaka is in transition between tradition and modernity. Osaka still has some of its traditional values. Some merchants are still xenophobic and treat foreigners crudely. There are other merchants that are the total opposite and treat foreigners like any local customer. Also, Taishuengeki tries to keep a dying tradition alive. Osaka also is in a phase modernity. It has areas like America-Mura and DenDen Town trying to mirror Tokyo (which represents modernity and the future).
In all my observations from this year and last year, I see that Kyoto represents the past; Osaka is the present; and Tokyo is the future of Japan. If you wanted to see Japan's evolution, all you would have to do is observe these three areas of Japan.
We've arrived at the airport. No upstairs seating for us. The flight is almost full. Oh well, can't have everything you want. We have a little over an hour until we have to say goodbye to Yoko and Jayson. So what do we do? We go shopping for omiyage for people at home!
~The last Hello Kitty posters I'll see before going home. Hello Kitty Osaka Kani, Hello Kitty Kansai Itami Airport, and Hello Kitty Kushikatsu.
Time to head back home. Just like last year. Not much room, but it doesn't matter. I'm going to sleep most of this flight. I am a little hungry. I should have bought something to eat. At least they gave us a little bedtime snack. I think I slept over half of the flight. I can't believe it's over, but the work has just begun.
1 comment:
It's really interesting how you say that the different parts of Japan represent different points in the history of the country. I've been to all three places also and I like Kyoto the best. The funny thing is that maybe my preference shows and that's why the elderly folk were so talkative with me.
Although Osaka is very modern, I also see the strong ties to its unique culture which I noticed especially in Shinsekai. In a way, i can understand the harsh way the Osaka people seem come across. As a gaijin, I was offended, but it's similar to how I think of foreigners in Hawaii and moreover in my home. I feel like they should respect the cultural norms and expectations of the place where they are visiting. As foreigners, we should also be observant of cues to cultural norms.
While rying to digest all that we've experienced in the 8 days, I am beside myself. I understand how you feel about being overwhelmed with trying to write about all our experiences and also apply it to our class material. As you know, my blog is yet to be finished and I plan to keep working on it. Looking through the photos feels like a big task, and I also experience Japan withdrawals.
As I return to work, the perspective of Japanese work and group ethics sticks out in my mind, and I wonder why we don't think of our work in the same way. If we did, we would appreciate that we can grumble and complain about our jobs, only because we actually have jobs. If anything, I think this experience of the trip has changed me the most.
I look at everything through different eyes.
It's awesome that you've gained so much from this trip as well as last your trip to Tokyo. On my last trip to Japan 16 years ago, I wasn't able to absorb as much as I have this past trip. I think Jayson is absolutely right when he says we all have grown in the 8 days, Jayson included.
Post a Comment