For a disproportionately large segment of my life, there was no past time in my life which I really, truly wanted to relive. Elementary school? I had friends in the beginning, but they all moved away and I was essentially alone for the remainder. Beside that, I was too young to really... care. Not a time I remember fondly. High school? Things improved, but not nearly enough that I would ever want to go back. Not that anyone would want to go back to high school, anyway. My early college years? As I sit here contemplating my swiftly approaching graduation, I am unequivocally excited to get it over with and move on with my life... to more school (whatiswrongwithme). Up until recently I was still in what I thought would be my eternally apathetic phase.
Then I went to Japan.
It really was the best time in my life. Daily reminders of the things I did there send pangs of nostalgia shivering down my spine. I desperately yearn to return! Despite some of the troubles I had getting there... despite some of the things I missed back here at home... despite some of the things I actually did not like in Japan... despite it all, I feel like I was perfectly content there.
It is an extremely rare occasion, now, that a day goes by where I am not assaulted by that nostalgic shock. And it doesn't necessarily have to be a particularly spectacular event that strikes me.
For example, walking to the shuttle stop on my way to classes, my mind naturally wanders to the countless similar trips I made to the train station from my apartment in Japan. The difference? It's hard to describe. I do know that in Japan I enjoyed strolling down the street. I enjoyed the sights, the sounds, the smells (mm-mm that delicious ramen aroma). And it's not as if I actively dislike walking to my shuttle, but, well, 1) it is a very short walk and 2) I would never say that I live in a desirable neighborhood. I doubt that anyone could live down here and say that with a straight face. Beside that, I used to just walk around for fun in Japan. I would never do that here.
Japan: 1, America: 0
More than that, though, what about the shuttle ride itself? I get on for ten minutes, and get off. The seats face the front of the bus, as opposed to the opposite wall like they would on most trains in Japan. There is no real reason to leave a lot of free space in the shuttle because, unlike the trains, it is very rare that you stand during the trip. It's not really fair to compare the shuttle, a school-operated transportation system, to the trains, a public transportation system. However, there was a time I rode the RTA, Dayton's public buses. It was never a pleasant experience. I feel like I can safely say that those buses are a vastly inferior experience to the trains in Japan. Why would that be? Simple: in Japan everyone rides the trains. In Dayton those buses were infested with unsavory creatures. (Uh-oh, I'm gettin' a little offensive here.) The people on the trains in Japan were entirely different! I laughed at the metrosexual dude making his hair look just the right kind of messy by using his DS as a mirror. I was assaulted by a friendly passenger every now and then asking me what I was doing in Japan. I smiled in quiet contemplation at the kid sitting contentedly between his two sleeping grandparents on their ride home from a day out as he used his DS for its intended purpose. The people!
Japan: 2, America: 0
Speaking of the people: the people! I don't know what it is about Japan, but the culture there just fascinates me. And I'm not even talking about anime and video games! The history of Japan is just so much deeper and more interesting than that of America. It makes me feel dirty saying it, as I despise, nay, loathe, the stereotypical Japanophile, but goddamn. Japan has had thousands of years to develop their culture, and even today, in 2010, they're still rather closed-off from the outside world. Sure, they've got a McDonald's on every street, but they still manage to retain their uniqueness. The countless festivals I experienced are a testament to that. Sure, we have our own culture festivals, but they're generally taken and adapted from other cultures. America is called a melting pot for a reason.
Japan: 3, America: 0
THREE STRIKES. YOU'RE OUT.
Could a lot of this have to do with mindset? Undoubtedly. Japan was an exciting place for me, even after six months when I left. Every day I would notice something new, something interesting. America is where I grew up. It's "old hat," as they say. Plus, since then, as I've no doubt stated previously on this here bloggy thing, I have been much more open to new experiences period. Life has quite simply been better since I went to Japan. Was it Japan, though, or just "one big new experience" paving the way for more, in some grand, spiritual example of the domino effect? I suspect the latter.
Could it also have to do with where I stayed in Japan? Where I am NOT living in America? It's more than a mere possibility! My first apartment in Japan wasn't exactly the greatest place in the world, but a mere floor below were two friends and a mere twenty-minutes walk away was the train station and access to the entirety of Tokyo. My second apartment was fantastic. Great view, great area, great neighbors... great greatness. Here in the real world, I look forward to my (hopefully) inevitable move to Redmond, Washington, simply because from what I know of the place, it's beautiful. In my head it's full of sunshine and rainbows! Maybe even unicorns!
Whatever the reasons may be, the fact is that I want to go back, goddamnit! I wonder if I'll ever have the chance?
