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report on a trip to Japan

It is more than four months since we returned from Japan, we, the apprentice writers. It is appropriate today to report on our adventure with a thorough review and concise. But one thing is certain: a lot of information must be organized and processed. For this reason I opted for the development of an assessment "classic", where I develop the strengths and weaknesses of our stay in Japan, while adding a certain point of view. First, I will focus on the organization and content of the voyage and, secondly, I speak Japanese values and do a little interpretation.

First, regarding the orientation and transport, despite some skirmishes due to the density of activities in the country and a culture shock, we can say that the reliance was pulled out. However, sometimes the size of the baggage problems caused in transit. Nevertheless, we still reached their destination without losing anyone. Besides these destinations, hotels and temples in great majority, are another highlight of the trip. We all experienced the traditional style tatami (Kyoto) that the modern style (with Hiroshima) or the hotel in "card" (in Tokyo). Then, as regards food, restaurants search was meticulous and often difficult given our fatigue, but ultimately, we ate a lot of typical dishes in Japan. In addition, many places we gave a good idea of the atmosphere around the table at mealtimes (when we ate in Komai, the beautiful Japanese family of Christian, our teacher).

In terms of activities and visits, we can not but affirm that it was the great strength of this adventure. It was the side's most comprehensive travel, we saw the Essenciel what had to do in Japan. To count, more than nine temples and visited a dozen other activities (shopping, walking, pottery, etc..) Is, somehow, through these activities that apprentices were able to see writers and design values, customs, lifestyle and Japanese aesthetics. And to realize what we saw, we developed a blog. This "blog", or rather the task of writing, is a weak point of the trip. Despite being designed with consistency, it seems that we were ill prepared to write reviews of such trip. The "Blog" will remain a very nice memory, but on rereading, that the remarks are too lenient and they are full of too much subjectivity. Regarding the atmosphere of the group, everyone must have felt in his own way. For my part, I have seen several problems in organizing the group, but I think it was a challenge for us all. Conflicts were often due to the bad faith, bad conscience.

Then, to talk a little more of Japan itself, I will use the "I" because it's interpretations or points of view. For in reality, I do not think it is possible to immerse themselves in a culture in less than two weeks and speak with great objectivity. However, I understand certain cultural traits evident.

First, the paradoxical nature of this culture appeared to me all along the journey. This is especially the comparison between the city of Tokyo and Kyoto that I can understand the struggle between tradition and modernity. But even more, to see contradictory traits even within a single city (such as the idea of comfort - in Kyoto, I slept on tatami mats, however, to McDonald, I discovered the toilet heating).

Secondly, I must of course speak of modesty and restraint of Japanese. The population density would lead to chaos when the Japanese behaved like most Westerners. However, modesty and quiet are more than a social necessity, they form the individuality of the Japanese. It is, in other words, often a trait unique to Japanese regardless whether they are in a crowd or not.

Moreover, the question of honor is also of great importance. It's a bit like the art of samurai crossing the modern culture. In Japan, the honor of the family occupies a major place. Almost all families have an altar at home, to celebrate their deceased parents. This leads me to the facet that interested me as in Japan: its aesthetics. The aesthetic is unique and singular attention to detail and pursuit of perfection and harmony are the main actors. Whether by the Bunraku theater (doll) or contemplation of an altar methodically thought I saw and I'm still trying to understand the magic of this aesthetic. After all, without Japan, and his prints, there would not have as good a Van Gogh ...

Ultimately, I can only speak positively of the trip, despite some bitterness. My digestive system was not accustomed to Western this oriental culture, figuratively and actually (when I ate sushi at 7 am). That's why I still digesting today, this adventure that marks a life, and moves. But I assure you, it is not required to go so far to travel. "The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step" - Lao Tzu

Mr. T.

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My journey is separated into three parts: before, during and after, which I connected distinct feelings: fear, surprise and apprehension.

Before leaving, I had many doubts about the appreciation of my trip I did not like soy, I had no cue on the Japanese language or very little, it seemed that we would see as temples and was the first time that I was leaving on a trip with teachers. It also seemed that the route was not yet fully structured or organized and very afraid that we find ourselves with no way in the middle of Japan.

When we arrived in Tokyo, I was afraid ms doubts are confirmed: the neighborhood where our hotel was seemed very fishy!

is aware of the following days I began to understand the environment in which I was in high- partly because I healed of my cold! And I was struck by the staggering number of paradoxes which inhabited Japan.

I was deeply marked by concern for the Japanese environment. It seemed they had put in place many structures and means to conserve water, manage waste, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, etc.., But on the other hand, their level of consumption was phenomenal : fashion was everywhere, in stores - more than - supermarket (!) was present at almost every street corner, their car had no more than a half-dozen years ... it was amazing how, in a sense, they were green and in another, how they ate.

The second paradox struck me-and perhaps more than if I had not been ill-is the noise and silence. At Shibuya especially at an intersection where three giant screens simultaneously screaming their advertisements, in addition to the noise of cars, noise indicators for crosswalks, which paraded the cars to promote the new disc of a pop singer, the pachinkos ... the noise was everywhere ... except inside cars where there was a strange silence!

In Kyoto, another paradox, less present than in Tokyo, surprised me: that of technology and tradition. The holiday season even more marked the struggle they were engaged. In the streets, people were walking in a kimono while cars are parked newly invented by their side. Buildings with incredible architecture rubbed houses typically Japanese ... And while Japan appears to face the world, the Japanese are valuable to keep their ceremonies and traditions that are part of their daily.

Finally, although I know that every country has something special, it seems to me that culture shock can never be as great and memorable as the one I lived in Japan. My future trips are not likely to lose wealth, but after discovering a culture so alien to mine, my surprise may be less.

Marilyne Léveillé

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Japanese Prime Adventure Travel

A journey is more than the mere change of city, country, away from his little world to be closer to oneself and others. All

First, there is this state of mind in which we find ourselves when we first crossed the border of the unknown and you end up miles away from home in a completely different seized by the shock of an encounter between two cultures that do not appear, at first glance, have much in common ...
All apprehensions of departure are present: why he left his world? Why be here, away from what we know and those we love? Supposedly for first trip there this doubt and more of the baptism of the plane ... Again, there is some fear, trepidation that flies along the plane. Despite the great distance that separates New York from Japan, everything is going well since going into the unknown arouses some curiosity more and more palpable with time passing and approaching the country ... a kind of adrenaline we invaded when the plane landed and we finally put ashore. However, there was some disappointment on arrival because it does not meet my expectations ... you never know what really expect anyway, but it must be said that long hours in aircraft exhaust and makes us a little tired. We are never in better condition after all this time, fatigue in the body, so it is normal to feel some fear, surprise, anguish, especially when one is greeted by a rather dubious neighborhood where the homeless we make great smiles with a few missing teeth ...

A good night's sleep and visit the first temple made quickly forget the fantastic finish. Soon, the whole beauty of the country that thrives under our eyes, the night having given way to brilliant sunshine and our apprehension at the greatest excitement. After being acquainted with the place, just the language barrier. It is certainly there, but it does not prevent the Japanese to be the most pleasant companies. Their hospitality and kindness are truly limitless. There are always their white teeth to forces indulgent smiles and polite. Arriving home, it really end up in another world. We might try to return to their bubble, they will always feel somewhat apart but always welcome. It is quite funny as when we imagine another world where you are on vacation and where one can discover an unknown country. Yet, they, they live there. The people you meet in the subway going to school or work. For them, the newspaper for us is adventure.

There is also the population density that causes the feeling that one is never alone. The streets of Montreal, then, seem deserted ... However, it was nice to be constantly surrounded by a million people, one can still feel alone because, although there are hundreds of conversations around, one can not follow any. Moreover, paradoxically, it is quiet and silent. People talk but they are not agitated, do not purposely attract attention to themselves and yet ... they do in their dress, their style. They are calm and polite silence is highly respected. Have a population as dense in Montreal would create a real chaos ...

There are many other paradoxes, contradictions in other manners Japanese: among other things, there is the modern face of tradition. Japan is undoubtedly the most advanced countries in relation to technology, especially with regard to Tokyo, but also a country that is very focused on tradition, ceremonies, respect for others and nature ... It is difficult for us to capture and understand how they act just as we do no part of the world. Kyoto is one of the most interesting precisely because it is especially here that we find traces of tradition: traditional houses and all the temples. It was most informative and most fun to experience living in a traditional house for over a week and have been invited to share a meal at the Japanese, it must be confessed to have totally loving them hospitality and sophistication so different from what we can find for us. The food, meanwhile, is delicious with a taste of daydreaming.

Indeed, two weeks in a country as "oriental" than Japan, it is only a tiny portion of all there is to discover in this corner of the world. We quickly took a liking to this new life where the unknown awaits us around every street and every temple. Only after returning home that we open our eyes to the beauty that was left and the adventure began at the meeting of two worlds. In return, the adrenaline is up and a new understanding: that to return to his routine after a beautiful dream. Because yes, everything seems to be a dream Once back in his world. After all, that represent two weeks in a lifetime? Certainly not much, but certainly a beautiful dream that we will cherish all her life, a dream that was the reality for a moment and even though he was too short, no one forgets her first trip.

Marilyn Chouinard