Reflections, one month later...

One month ago today I got on a plane and came home.
One month ago today I finished an amazing trip, one of a lifetime, one that I am sure I will never experience again.
Now, one month later, I find that I am still having trouble finding the words to accurately sum up my trip.

Many people have asked me how my trip was. How can I put it into words? I know that they want a quick answer, so I throw out an "Awesome!" or "Fantastic!", knowing that these words are too little for a trip so big and with such an impact. What I really want to say to them is, "Come here, sit down, and let me tell you about it..."

I have so much to tell.

Can anything really compare to seeing the bent and twisted frame of the Genbaku Dome in Hiroshima? That can't be summed up in a word. In fact, there will never be enough words. I am still in shock that I was able to go there. While my time in Hiroshima was so short, I learned so much, and felt so much. I tried to blog how I felt, but there was such raw emotion that I held back. I think Hiroshima is something you have to experience in order to truly understand.

What about that delicious food? I've not eaten much rice, seafood, or sushi since I have returned home, but I crave it. Oddly enough, I crave it. I want miso soup. I want fruit so sweet that it hurts to taste it. I want that bread that had custard kneaded throughout. I didn't ever find the seasoning for rice that I had on that first night in Tokyo, and I want that too. I miss slurping noodles. And, God help me, I miss those school lunches, because that was some good eating!

I miss the subway. I miss the cleanliness of Japan. I miss the politeness of its people, and the gentleness that permeated everything. I never felt unsafe in Japan, never ill at ease unless I was trying to order something. I miss the easy routine of my days, knowing where and when I had to be everyday and what I needed to be wearing. I have found myself missing that routine since I have been back, and missing that program book more than I thought!

What are the greater lessons that I have learned?

For one, people are the same no matter where you go, although they may be more polite than what you are used to! My eyes were opened while in Japan to what a raucous group Americans are! We are proud, independent, stubborn people...not all bad things! But we don't acclimate ourselves well to our surroundings, and at times, I was embarrassed by the actions of my colleagues. So, I learned acceptance, and came to terms with the fact that people are people. Towards the end of the trip, I saw that some younger Japanese acted as we did...talking on the subway, eating and drinking while walking, and it made me sad.

Two, kids are kids no matter where you go. They laugh and cry, and when they get angry, beat up on each other. I think that the Japanese education system has its own problems, as does ours, and maybe we could benefit from sharing those problems with each other. For some reason, though, I think pride will stop us from that. Why admit problems in your country, much less share those with another? Oh, we could learn so much from each other, everywhere, if we just allow ourselves the pure and simple luxury of communication.

Three, I am blessed and fortunate to have been given this opportunity. This was the last trip of its kind sponsored by the Japanese government. How lucky I am to have been selected! I was treated like royalty, given gifts, provided rare opportunities, and created memories that will last a lifetime.

I simply cannot find the words to express all that I am feeling...

So, in parting, domo arigato gozaimasu to the people and government of Japan, who have given me this precious gift. Thank you to the Japan Fulbright Memorial Fund and the Institute for International Education for the preparations made for me, and for taking care of me while in Japan. Thank you to my parents for taking care of my house and my cats while I was gone, and more importantly, instilling in me along the way some desire to learn and to be independent. Thank you to my school corporation and its administrators who allowed me to partake in this experience. I am extremely lucky and fortunate to work with people who value these types of experiences for their teachers. Finally, thank you to my students, who read the blog and asked questions. Some of you waited until I got home to ask, but I was touched that you followed the blog and showed interest.

Laozi (or Lao Tsu) said that a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. I hope that this blog has inspired you to take that first step on your own journey, to find something that fulfills a part of you. I had always dreamed of a trip to Japan, and I could not ask for more than what I experienced. The good, the bad, the surreal...it all is wrapped up into one amazing and unforgettable experience.

Every day is a journey, and the journey itself is home. - Matsuo Basho

I couldn't agree more...