A Japanese Excursion
Japan
Adventure
Have you ever imagined when you were a kid that traveling by airplane was like you were entering a time machine? As you exit the airport and inhale the air, look out into the distance and up to the sky, you get a different sense of space and time. My admiration for Japanese culture dates back to my childhood. When my ballet friends would return from their annual summer vacations home, they always brought back "new-age" candy and gadgets. At the time, you could not find many of these candies outside of Japan. The first time I ate a 'Hi-chew', I needed to go to the land where they make such delicacies. That smooth and creamy exterior and fruity, oh so delicious chewy interior, Oh SWEET BABY chewiness, I was shook. Japanese gadgets are pure sorcery. The Japanese children's toys would always interest me. When it came to the 'Tamagotchi', forget about it, I was learning persistence and patients without even knowing it. I was completely hooked. From those days forth, Japan was written on my bucket list...well, right below meet Oprah.
Japan bound
With all Japan’s yummy candy, gadgets and toy sorcery, my first stop on the 2017 Japan tour was Tokyo. My journey began November 10th 2017 on a gloomy afternoon. I was waiting in the Geneva airport with 35 excited company members ready to take the single longest journey most of us have ever taken. Our water bottles were filled, compression socks compressing, and if your me, a dose of Ambien was swallowed and I was ready to slip into a long deep sleep.
The three words I can use to describe Tokyo is polite, pristine and productive. The city is a scramble of people, a buzz of noise, and a thrash of lights and colors. You are always in a crowd and rarely find yourself without something to do, see, or watch. Whether I shimmied my way through Shibuya’s crowded streets or marveling in Shinjuku’s neon lights, I felt I could go back fifteen times and still feel like I haven’t tipped the iceberg. Everyday I would reflect and have such immense respect for the pride that was taken to have a productive life. It almost seems as if the structure on which this city is held upon demands it of you.
Senso-ji Temple
Speaking of Productivity, my friend, Alanna and I were walking to Senso-ji Temple when a group of university students, asked if they could practice English with us in exchange for a guided tour. I know right! I was shocked too, and felt really stupid for not doing something like that when I was in school. Striving for productivity and efficiency are two things that are paramount in Japanese society. It's not a secret that there are two elements to success, productive focus and consistent practice. Sometimes we can overcomplicate the criteria. One can be lead to believe its genetic. Surprisingly, success is built rather than built-in.
I had the pleasure of meeting and talking to the women behind the transformative cup of coffee.
I fell in love with the Japanese cultures' display of social and individual discipline which appeared in many social practices. Proven when a regular morning coffee run turns into a miraculous experience. I met an inspiring women who produced and brewed her own coffee for over 40 years. Every component of the coffee making process was carefully crafted to produce an efficient, and most importantly, bombin’ cup of coffee. Something that could so easily be overlooked as unimportant or mundane. I was transformed by her passion and attention to detail. She had such a warm presents and calm that left a stain in my memory. I had a feeling of receiving a warm hug. For me, this was beauty in one of its rarest forms: a desired, devotion, to discipline that results in pure generosity and love.
I made a promise to myself to do something new every day while in Japan. I set two or three hours aside to have a chance to wanderlust. Be it, going to a hip restaurant, or discovering a new temple, in other words, carpe diem! I had to take advantage of this amazing place I had always dreamed of going to. From this trip, I realized that it is when I have the pressure of limited time and being in a unique environment, I need to take the opportunity to discover. When I’m at “home” in Switzerland, I allow myself to be comfortable. I don't take every opportunity to discover. Being a routine person can be a blessing and a curse. My “better self” would go out to a different Swiss town every weekend and try something new. I would be learning absorbing, connecting, and actually acting on the words I so commonly preach. So, I guess what I’m doing is raising my hand, and saying I’m a hypocrite. I don't profit as much as I should when I’m away from the comforts of home. Its time to become my “better self”. Acting on the words, I say, instead of saying the words I want to act on. Reaching shouldn’t come with the conditions that a new environment provides, I should reach, explore and discover in whatever capacity I can today.
I want to talk about this “best me”. I was visiting another prefecture, Kamakura, and walking around all these wonderful temples and statues. This idea kept prodding my thoughts “The me, I want to be.” Maybe you can relate? I feel this idea of striving to be the "better self" can be misleading at times. The “better self” is a fictitious idea in my mind, built on goals and other external influencers that I have developed consciously or subconsciously. This evolving development, acts as a standard that I compare myself to. As you may imagine, this can cause great disappointment as the thing your chasing keeps changing. A comparative mindset can distract the acceptance of what is and now. The best version of myself is now, present, honest, and full. You are because you can, and will because you're here and that’s enough.
I learned and loved so much of what these cities had to offer. It was a privilege to observe and interact with the people that live and love on this island. The ability to preserve their art and cultural artifacts is genuinely one that deserves great admiration and respect. A time well traveled, if you ask me.
THANK YOU, JAPAN!
Chion-in Temple
Kyoto, Japan