~LAST ENTRY~

Four days later and nearly time zone adjusted, I have finally had some time to reflect on this trip. What events stuck out? Which people will be remembered or for that matter, which people have I already received emails from? Are they friends yet? How can I measure the impact Japan had on me? What will I do now that I am back in the States? All these questions will not be answered in this blog, but I assure you that these questions have been bouncing away in my head and I’m sure, in everybody else’s head.

Being somewhat OCD and anal retentive, I was close to being unpacked the night we returned. Naturally, being a 21st century geek, my computer was promptly set up. Not six hours after landing in the U.S., I had received an email from a newly acquired friend, Jing. She is of Chinese decent but studies at Rikkyo (taught in Japanese) and was vital to our survival in the Metro maze. Not only was she useful, she was kind, patient, and generous. Even though her English was not perfect, many of us worked together to find common ground, which proved to be one of the most beneficial experiences of my trip. On our last night in Tokyo, since Jing was stuck working at a restaurant, she invited us along for a bite to eat and to say goodbye! She is an excellent waitress and somehow managed to be more inexpensive than the other servers ;). I’d call that friendship!

As we boarded the bus that was to take us from our luxurious hotel to the overly systematic airport, I noticed that about half the group wanted to stay while the other half was content with heading home. One student even stayed and met his fiancé in Tokyo to enjoy another week of traveling in Japan! Lucky.... hope you had fun Javier! I dunno, as exhausted as I was, I would have stayed longer for almost anything. Homesickness and foodsickness aside, we were only in Japan for 11 days. That’s not long at all, people. I just wanted to rent a tiny apartment, learn the language and a few customs, and live among the Japanese. At least for another day or so... ya know? Ah well....

Before we left, I studied very little regarding the language, but about two days into the trip, while in Kyoto, I realized that not only would it help me to learn some phrases, it would make for a better impression of Americans. From thereon, my desire to learn only became more intense, fueled by the same forces, but with stronger convictions. The thought of me staying in someone else’s home, and not caring enough to assimilate to their most fundamental form of communication, started to make me angry. Just ask my friends folks, usually I am all about being an individual and acting on one’s true instincts, but what I am trying to describe falls under a different category, maybe ignorance or courtesy, either way will do. To make my point I will describe a conversation I had with a Japanese friend. We were discussing how most Japanese people are taught English, even if it’s just the basics. Even though I know already knew this, something stuck out. It was the tone that carried his words so casually, like “duh Paul, everyone should know English so that’s why we do.” Now, as somewhat of a “liberal,” or whatever you want to call it, I could not help but think why the hell do we, as part of the English speaking community, get such treatment. So I asked, “I understand why you want to learn English, but don’t you ever think that it’s a bit unfair. Economics aside, why doesn’t the world learn Japanese? Wouldn’t that be flattering?” He simply said, “yeah, that would be cool.” So, long-story-short, I am currently seeking the best route to learn Japanese. For the last few years, I’ve had the desire to become bilingual, mainly because it impresses me so much when someone else is. Now, I have found a language that I seem to enjoy and can be applied to my career. The Asian communities, especially the Japanese (and now the Chinese), are close economical allies to America. I want to be apart of that connection. Sure it’ll be hard, but it is of my opinion, that so many members of my generation are lazy, pampered, and unmotivated. I’m no exception, it’s just that now, after this brief trip halfway around the world, I have the motivation to change my ways. Look out world, or whatever, Duquesne is making a NET IMPACT (inside joke, kind of)!