I'm pretty much all packed and ready now. My suitcase and everything is on my bed, my room is spotless and sparkling (kind of...) and almost empty!
It really hasn't hit home yet that I'm leaving tomorrow, but it definitely will when my alarm goes off at 5am tomorrow morning and I have to get to Narita Airport. Some friends are going to come with me to my bus and wave me off, which I keep telling them there's no need to do, but they're adamant they want to come. I'll take a pack of tissues, just in case.
This is the end of an incredible year and I will never ever forget it. I definitely need some time to reflect on everything and let it all sink in. Maybe the 12 and a half hour plane journey will help!
My next post will be from Britain, so this is goodbye to Japan for the second time. Goodbye and see you again soon!!
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A young person's adventures preparing for, and experiencing, working and studying in Japan.
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2 comments:
Hi Miles,
Glad to hear you're home safe and you had a pleasant journey.
As you might have guessed, I've been reading this blog since late 2008, and it is due to your inspiration that i will be going to Japan for a year in a few months time!
Would it be possible to get a few essential living tips for my time in Tokyo? I'm sure you've gained at least a few in your time over there!
Many thanks,
Jamie
Thank you Jamie! I'm so glad that you're going to Japan, and I'm very pleased that I've been able to help!
Essential living tips? Ooh that's a difficult question!
You've probably heard all of this before, but definitely the way to live an easy life in Tokyo is respect and politeness. The most important thing in almost all situations is to be polite, and you should have no problems. Be prepared for prejudice and difficulties because you're foreign, particularly when dealing with bureaucracy. But if you can keep a cool head (at least on the outside) then people will help you out. And getting used to sticking out like a sore thumb, and being stared at all the time, may be a bit difficult at first. But you may end up feeling famous!
Don't shut yourself off by being too polite, and too reserved (I don't know if you ever have this problem, but I tend to hide the warmth of my personality when being polite, which possibly led to people thinking I'm cold). So I think finding the balance, and judging when to show your true personality is important. You'll find you make friends very quickly that way.
I think that's a general idea of how to get along in Japanese society. Were you looking for something more specific than that? I can't really think of any specific situations... My jetlagged head is all blurry!
Let me know if you want to know anything else! :)
Miles
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