Japan: Self - Reflection

On my way to fully completely my second trip to Japan. Over the past week I have learned a lot by just observing.

First, Japanese people in nature are quiet. While in Japan, I had the great pleasure of trying to figure out the Tokyo metro/subway/ transportation system. Through all that I have realized how quiet the Japanese culture is. If you take a subway anywhere, in Tokyo its quiet, you can hear a pen drop. You can see their heads move side to side. Their eyes focused, their lips closed. No sound, just the subway. It was quite peaceful and a great way to fall asleep on the train. My week of being surrounded by silence, has reminded me, once again that silence, truly is golden. Silence is a lot more productive then, we realize.

Second, Japanese people are very helpful, they even go out of their way to help. Again, the subway system can be daunting, but on many occasion. I would have a local come up to me, and ask me, if I needed help. Some would walk me, to the station to make sure I got it right, others would walk me through it. Regardless, I was a stranger to them, who spoke very little Japanese, yet they help. They go out of their way to help. They would even, try to do it, in English. There is something to learn from this. Help strangers, and do it with a cheerful heart, something we can all take away from.

Lastly, Japan is a unique country. The culture is, like no other, the people quiet and graceful. The food is good and can lean towards the obscure, some good, some bad. But like any other place in the world, its the people who make it, what it is...

I did most of my reflecting on the subway, from place to place. Also on the 19th floor of the hostel I'm staying at, over looking the skyline of Tokyo.

Simple lessons, yet powerful reminders.... in the land of the rising sun.