Japan: Part One

When I’m on the road, it doesn’t take much for me to be reminded of the fact that I am an American. It’s because I wear tennies when I go sightseeing, and because I feel free to spread out and take up an empty row of seats. It’s because I call everyone I meet my friend and because my language skills are limited to one. And, above all, it’s because I can sure pack in a record amount of holiday fun into one short week.

My Japan trip flew by nearly as fast as the world famous bullet train. I think you’ll be impressed / overwhelmed skimming my experiences below (you’re in for a late one if you read it all).

This story starts on the plane ride. It always starts on the plane ride. Sometimes I walk on planes and enjoy being anonymous and alone, but sometimes, I meet very friendly and interesting characters. I sat in my usual window seat and began preparing for the no-big-deal-I-do-this-all-the-time 10 hour plane ride. The woman seated next to me seemed very sweet and friendly. Shortly after loading, we began sorting out who spoke what, who was from where, and why we were on this plane. Even though communication was limited, we were still able to exchange the vitals and have a meaningful interaction.

She was an 82 year old Japanese woman who was just visiting her friend in San Jose. Bless her heart for still traveling such great distances alone at her age! She was a widow, a social worker, a truly generous soul. She spent her whole life helping WWII victims, kids in orphanages, and the elderly. And I told her about my life in Colorado, my plan to go to Korea and teach English, and my quick visit to Japan.

After nearly two hours on the plane, after we’d naturally ended our conversation and began reading our books, the woman reached down to her bag and asked me if I had money for my trip. It was a weird question for someone to ask, but then she went on to open her wallet and hand me a hundred dollar bill. I was stunned. She said it was because she just really enjoyed talking with me, and that felt really really good. Of course it was cool to have a hundred dollars, but more than that, it was exciting to witness a true and real act of human kindness. It was the kind of unbelievably wonderful unexpected great things that happens only a few times a lifetime. And I was grateful. It’s not everyday you meet someone as generous as she was. And when you do, you can only say thank you and promise to pass it on one day.


Check back soon for Part two…
Lots of pictures on the way!