For a recent essay contest on campus themed "The Charm of Tokyo for Me..."
The mystique of Tokyo is so alluring that there is never a dull moment,
never a lack of culture to see, experience, and absorb at a moment's
notice. Being in Tokyo, if even just for one day, will simply leave you
in awe. Stay a year, and it will transform you forever.
The fusion of the new and the old is the most salient characteristic
that comes to mind when foreign friends ask me, "What is Tokyo like?"
Inevitably, I leave them mesmerized with stories of my encounters with
cell-phone toting elderly women, wearing the finest winter kimonos; the
1920s style bicycles that transport uniform-clad children to school in
sun or rain; the vegetable vending machines near my campus that sell
staples, like potatoes and carrots; the minuscule karaoke rooms that
come replete with stars, strobe lights, or even Hello Kitty; the fine
department stores that boast acres of gourmet food to awe the senses;
and the labyrinth of narrow streets hung with neon signs that beckon
even the most weary travelers inside for a bowl of ramen or fine
sashimi.
I explain that from the modest beginnings of Tokyo as Edo between
1603-1867, the city has been transformed by globalization and the
opening of borders to foreign influences, although much of the
traditional culture has remained intact. I give the example of
centuries-old Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines that lie dormant
amongst compact family homes and towering skyscrapers, only to come to
life during important holiday seasons, as families mark the passing of
life and pray for what is yet to come.
In fact, having lived on four continents, I quickly attest that the
Japanese are perhaps the most nationalist of countries with such a
strong pride in their culture that a plethora of television programs
provide daily insight into ancient traditions, like the origin of tofu
soup, the benefits of hot springs, the life of rural fishermen, and the
process of making green tea. This appreciation of culture even extends
most masterfully into the realm of the renowned kabuki theater of Ginza
where stories of imperial courts and noble samurai are acted out daily
with the accompaniment of simultaneous translation in various languages
and technical wizardry, such as fiber-optic fireflies to signal the
impending death of an aristocrat or a torrential downpour to wash away a
slain lover.
As I look forward to enjoying each and every one of my remaining days in
Tokyo as a Rotary World Peace Scholar, I also contemplate the message I
will convey to Rotarians, friends, and family alike when I return to the
USA. I will tell them what I have just told you, but, most importantly,
they will be able to see how much Tokyo and two years at ICU has
transformed me. They will be able to see the mystique in my eyes.
A collage of images from the Houkokuji & Enkakuji Temples in Kamakura, Japan (March 2005)
Following the presentation of our research for Tokyo Rotarians at the Annual Rotary Seminar, we took a group photo to capture the nine Fellows in Group II at ICU (May 2005)
Nothing like delicious Japanese cuisine in a quaint Kyoto tavern! My Rotary hosts took me on a trip to Kyoto for a few days, and this was one of the great places we ate at (September 2004)
Sakura season, when all of the cherry trees simultaneously bloom and thousands of Tokyo residents have picnics under them, was the last week in March 2005 (sometimes it happens the first week in April).
A group photo of my Rotary hosts; William (fellow Rotary Scholar, Group III; Solveig, Rotary Youth Exchange student from Germany; and me. This was the last day of the cherry blossom season, so the petals had covered the park's pond, like a layer of beautiful snow! Thousands of people were at this particular park celebrating with their friends (April 2005)
My mother tried on my Japanese host family's kimono, using a very informal obi, since we were merely playing around. This family is a married (childless) couple who hosted me when I first arrived for 2 months in their home, and we have continued our friendship with monthly get togethers (March 2005)
The Great Buddha of Kamakura (1252 A.D.) that I visited in August 2003 & March 2005
Two of my three roommates in the campus "Global House" dorm. Each unit has 2 Japanese students with 2 exchange students (a girl from Chile and me). There are 5 'units' per single-sex floor, and 2 floors devoted to women and two to men in the same building. I had just thrown a small dinner party, and they were busy drinking my homemade Indian chai, which I learned how to make from the most skilled chai walas while in Gujarat last summer(November 2004)
A night out on the town, karaoke, as usual!
After owning my own pet-sitting business for 10 years and working at a cat hospital for three, I love doting on others' feline and canine family members! This was a month-long pet-sitting gig for a campus professor in their beautiful place.
Winter Ski Trip to the Yomase Resort in Nagano, Japan with my Mitaka Rotary Club hosts (March 2004)
You've gotta' love those coat-bearing pooches that are toted around town and even ski resorts like children (March 2004)
My Mitaka Rotary Club Host Youichiro Miyazaki and his son Yueske & Yueske's friend
When my mother visited Japan, my gracious Rotary hosts invited us to a five star dinner at a famous tofu restaurant in Tokyo that serves an amazing five course meal. I discovered at this dinner that I actually like Japanese rice wine (saki) after tasting three expensive, high quality brands from chilled bamboo flutes! (March 2005)
My Rotary hosts took me a on weekend trip to Kyoto, the cultural center of Japan for many centuries. We paid to get dressed up as maikos, which are young geishas in-training. The whole process from start to finish took 3 hours. I'd do it again in a heartbeat -- very fun!
**NOTE: I have taken hundreds of photos while in Japan, but I have not had the time to post even 10% of them online yet...perhaps in the near future.**