There are so much in Japan which I wanted to witness and experience. I wanted to learn about its history by seeing with my own eyes how its people are living and why its economy is so successful to the extent that the Japanese have even penetrated Hollywood and yet they mysteriously managed to sustain and maintain their distinct ideals amidst a pool of temptations or influences from different traditions and cultures of various countries alongside the advancement of technology.
Japan has kept its own language and culture intact. If my understanding is correct, foreigners would have to learn to speak Japanese to be able to convey a correct message to the Japanese whom they wanted to speak with - a trait which I am so impressed of Japan, because regretfully, this will never happen to my own country – the Philippines, as it is the other way around for us Filipinos. I just so love the idea that Japan has really taken care of and protected its people. Keeping its own language as a primal means of communications – be it from locals or to foreigners – is one way of assuring its citizens that they have the control over their country and no foreigner can give them an order as to what to do with their lives or how to run their government. Aside from its amazing language, Japan is also known for its rich architectures, gardens, sculptures and landscapes: from golden pavilion to temples or shrines and Buddha-statues. I would love to go to these places and have a glimpse of their history and beauty. I am also fascinated about the Geishas and how they elegantly walk with their colorful dresses.
Just to be able to mingle with Japanese, eat their traditional food according to what my stomach can take, dive into their resorts, have access to their public transportations and take a picture of myself with their busy cities and streets as my background – this is what I call living the life of a foreigner. If only I could have that chance…if only I can have that small grace then I would come out of the country more enriched with my own stories and experiences to tell or share.
These things are better appreciated when experienced personally rather than just reading them from books, seeing posters of their images while living outside of Japan or hearing stories from friends who have lived there for a while. Wouldn’t it be great to be able to say to myself, “ah, yes, I was there…I saw them…and it was such a beautiful, wonderful opportunity just being there, feeling it and imbibing the positive nature and breeze of Japan’s history even for just a short while?” These are reasons why I wanted to live and work in Japan.
Can anyone hear what my heart is saying? Is there someone who actually understands such cravings for cultural-experimentation or wanting to experience different worlds? Please hear me out
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