Changing Impressions

Before coming to Japan, my friend told me-“To visit Japan is to have a complete cultural experience.”

For people who like adventures and are willing to adapt to new ways of doing things, coming to Japan would be an adventure of a lifetime. In Japan, even day to day activities such as eating and sleeping are different. Some of what you might think is appropriate in Japan, actually is not; and some of what you would rather think is inappropriate, is considered to be right and suitable. On one hand, it is considered to be rude to drink, eat, smoke or show public affection while being outside on the street; as well as the fact that after 10pm no noise, whatsoever is allowed to be made. On the other hand, it is ok to sleep during the lectures, in the restaurants; to put on make-up on a train and to read porno manga in public places. In many respects, Japanese people do strange, surprising things, or their behaviour simply makes no sense.

To me, Japan feels like the other world. I like it and I don’t. Being in Japan, so far away from home and from anywhere really, it seems to me that I am looking at the world from the outside, with different eyes. By studying Japanese language, culture and traditions, I was taught a lot more about my own. Now I appreciate my culture even more.

I don’t like the fact that I don’t know what’s going on in peoples heads because they are very enclosed and don’t show their thoughts or emotions. Japan didn’t win over my heart. I can’t relate to it; however it can not relate to me either. Neither do I have a will to belong, nor will it ever let me belong.

For the visual representation of this blog I decided to put up some photos of my precious memories. They represent the places I liked the most, as well as people I have met throughout the way.