Special Post: Warm Regards to Japan

Dearest Japan,

Our visit with you seems like a distant memory. We are already many days into our trip to China, your rival neighbour to the west.  We miss your cleanliness and anal retentive ways. You have left a void in our lives that simply cannot be filled by the Chinese. Everything was always so clean and fresh, from your toilets to your streets, to your people and your food. Our time with you was special. We learned a lot considering our short time together of only 18 days. Let us reminisce about some of the fond memories we shared.

Favourite Spots (ranked):

1. Hiroshima - Memorial Museum and Atomic Bomb Dome
   No trip to Japan would be complete without a trip to Hiroshima. It’s a place you have to see with your own eyes to in some small way grasp the horror of war and nuclear weapons. Thanks for touching us with your stories.
2. Kawaguchiko - Mount Fuji
   The mountain with 100 moods; we can’t help but smile when we think of it. Bursting out of the ground in a perfect cone, it stands alone both literally and figuratively. It’s no wonder the mountain has been worshipped for as long as there have been people to admire it. 
3. Tokyo - Tsukiji Fish Market
   An enormous, stinky, chaotic mess, yet a thriving business. The Japanese sure know and love their seafood. What an art! We needed to master our fear of blood and guts to enjoy this one.
4. Sandan - Sandankyo (Sandan gorge)
   A pleasant surprise! What a little gem. When we ventured out of our comfort zone into rural Japan we never expected to experience such stunning scenery. Nature at its finest. We loved every second of it.
5. Kyoto - Ginkakuji Temple
   If only we had lived during the prime of this bad boy’s existence. Hundreds of years later, this place still serves its purpose as a sanctuary of peace and serenity. Never calling attention to itself, both simplicity and modesty are its key virtues and only enhance its beauty.

Favourite words and phrases (spelled phonetically):

1. Arigato gozaimasu - thank you very much
   Our most-used phrase. It’s nice to be able to say this simple pleasantry, even if it’s the only thing that can be said! 
2. Konnichiwa - hello
   2nd most used word! 
3. Kumanikku and banikku - bear meat and horse meat, respectively.
   They were just fun to say outloud.
4. Sumimasen, ego ga hanase mas ka - excuse me, do you speak English?
   We used this far later into our trip, but it came in handy several different times.
5. Gommenasai wakarimasen - sorry I don’t understand.
6. Kudasai - please.
7. Osusumedeska - what do you recommend? 

Some things we learned about the people (keeping in mind these are generalizations):

1. They will look after your every need. They think of your needs even before you think of them yourself! Surprisingly, they have even invented ways to meet needs you didn’t even know needed meeting.
2. People in the big cities are extremely polite and reserved in their actions, and at the same time proud and flashy in their appearance.
3. No matter how many people there are in any given space, you can practically hear a pin drop. 
4. They show the utmost respect for their surroundings.
5. They love shopping: whatever your heart desires is just around the corner.
6. They are extremely efficient and helpful and expect the same in return. If the same efficiency is not reciprocated, they can get impatient!

We love you Japan! We hope to return with our kids to climb the jolly Mt. Fuji and visit Hiroshima again…. Much better dressed of course!!

See you next time!

Patty and Jeffy