Finding the balance ....
Trip Start
Feb 25, 2008
1
4
5
Trip End
Aug 02, 2008
Tokyo,
Japan
Friday, May 16, 2008
I entitled this blog ' Finding the balance' as it has been very hard for me to find a balanced lifestyle while living in Japan but I think I finally understood it this week. I was overworking myself which made my life seem like all it consisted of was working, commuting and eating! I found a balance in the last few weeks - normal working hours and lots of Japanese fun!
Last week, I went to Disney Sea - a branch of Disney Land, unique to Japan. This theme park is very popular amongst Japanese. There is a crazy obsession with Disney in this country
Disney Sea
. Everything cute and small is popular among women and men! I haven't understood it but it seems to me that this culture is youth or fantasy obsessed. Women dress and act like young girls. The day before going to Disney with my two sisters - it was a day of preparation! We had to figure out what to wear ( They gave me the choice of 5 Mickey t shirts to wear) and what Disney jewelry and accessories (hats, sunglasses and bags) to put on! It was all too much for me but I went with it anyway! We had a great day ... but at the end .. I was Disney-ed out for a long time! That Sunday, I went to go watch Sumo wrestling. Mayu and I got tickets to go watch the game because she used to teach ballet to the daughter of an ex- sumo champion who now owns his own Sumo family of 20 wrestlers. We watched sumo battles all day - it was a great atmosphere, so traditional and strict on the warm up routine. The audience was also great fun, everyone eating bento (lunch) boxes and sitting on the floor - very Japanese! The wrestlers who belonged to the family we were supporting won all the tournaments - which was great!
After the games, we headed to the sumo family house to eat dinner with the sumo's! Yes! We arrived and Mayu and I walked into a room with a huge table and excessive amounts of food. We were welcomed by 18 junior sumo's in charge of serving and cooking, the head of the family and some other guests
Sumo
. We were very shy at first because it was so traditional and I felt no faux-pas's were allowed! Being a foreigner I think they allow me to make some social mistakes but I still didn't want to humiliate Mayu. We sat down - on our knees (not for long)- and ate some great food. The traditional sumo dish is Chankonabe - a chicken or fish bouillon - with plenty of vegetables, meat and seafood - its quite filling but on top of that we were served beer, tempura, rice, meat and sashimi! I felt like a sumo myself after wards! Being surrounded by 20 huge sumo's is quit impressive! The two top sumo's of that Family - Ama and Aminishiki - arrived and Ama being the highest level got to sit with the father and the guests and he sat right next to Mayu! We were both very excited! He was very shy and kept quiet! When he gave the signal - the junior players were allowed to eat our left overs! We took pictures with them and got hand prints with their autographs. There is so much respect paid to these athletes because they follow such a strict lifestyle - it was amazing to have a peek into this world - it was typical Japanese for me! We then got a tour of the gym and training ring. I left feeling so content. Yesterday, I went to go eat monja with Mayu and her university friends who study law with her. Monja is a specialty in that area - I wish I could describe it but pictures will have to do!
Sumo - 1
It was lots of fun to cook your own meal but also to be around Japanese youth. At first everyone was so shy around me ..... but after lunch we headed to Odaiba - a new part of Tokyo on the ocean front- we went to play darts and grab some drinks. After a few drinks, they really started opening up to me - I only wish I could communicate with them better because I miss out on so much. I feel guilty I didn't take more time and put more effort into learning Japanese - when traveling I like to be able to communicate with people around me. I regret that a bit! But anyways the night ended with the group bringing me to a typical street side restaurant - where we ate lots of great food and drank lots of beer and sake! I also went to a Shinto shrine to see the Wisteria festival. It was beautiful. This shrine is for students so for all of you who were writing your finals - I made my prayers for you!
In general, I have been enjoying myself - some downs concerning work but I am getting pass that now ... really trying to concentrate on the positive and the great experiences I get to enjoy! I am planning to go volunteer soon on an organic farm and hotel on Mt-Fuji - so I can get out of this crazy busy and stressful city. I am also going to Vietnam (mid-June to mid-July) - if anyone is interested in joining me
Top level sumo's
! Things that might interest you:
- women here shave their faces - apparently makeup stays longer that way! Think what you like .... but this just goes to show me that beauty and exterior appearance for women is primal here ....
- Japanese refer to themselves as ' We Japanese' ex: We Japanese are very unique - do we say that about ourselves in Canada?
- In the West, I find people will assume parts of your personality according to what you wear. In japan, after talking with many Japanese I have understood that they do not do this to the same extent as back home. Women and men can wear what they want and people will just think - that's what they wanted to wear today - but they won't connect their style to their personality - maybe something to take away with me!
Hope all is well with everyone .... I think of you lots ...
Much love, Raphaelle
