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Saturday, August 16, 2008
Monday, May 5, 2008
Denise Milani Nipple Strip
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.
Friday, May 2, 2008
A Labelled Diagram Of A Viking Longboat
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.
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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