Author: admin

As I live in Japan, I keep looking for Japanese when I travel. I obviously don’t contact them nor say anything, but I do look for the “comfort” of seeing and hear Japanese.

Does this make sense?

Anyway, what I noticed that most Japanese men appear to me like a “Fish out of water” in an environment that they cannot speak the Language, do not know the manners.
I believe all of us are, but I felt it stronger from Japanese Men, not Women.

Two examples:
1) Orsay museum restaurant – a Japanese guy was trying to pay at the exit when he should have paid at the table. The way he walked about, not sure what to do felt painful to me.

2) Jacque Genin – When I approached the place saw a guy hanging outside taking a photo but not entering. I did and after several minutes he entered as well mumbling something, looking for a Japanese speaker (which there was). Again, the way he entered the place and the look on his face was like a Fish out of water

Is it the language barrier? Is it something else?

Was traveling in Paris last week, with my back-packer clothes, huge Camera bag, Camera on me and a hat. Took the Metro and squeezed in with my bag, when I noticed a guy in front of me is watching me trying to control his laughter. Then he laughed, got up and stood somewhere in the train but continued to watch me .

What was about me that caused him to laugh? Is it about me or about him?
Did I look strange?
Does it make sense that I spent so much time trying to find the reason he was laughing?

It has never happened to me in Japan (or Korea, or Singapore), which was a bit disturbing.

But then it made me realize how easy it is to make us (humans) be concerned about our appearance, about who we are.
It really does not matter what he thought of me or why he found it laughable.

Did not plan well for my Amsterdam visit as trusted my memory and the fact that it is a friendly and English speaking city.
To my surprise I found out that almost all museums are selling tickets and reservation online. Which means you can’t be spontaneous and go to the Museum.

I visited Anne Franke house before, but wanted to see it again. To my surprise I found out that the reservation system has a long waiting list, which meant I could not visit.

Screenshot attached below.:

Seen while walking from Nishi-Nippori to Nippori.

A sign, saying “Himawari Orchard” (Himawari: Sunflower), with only very few small trees. Thinking big, putting your aspirations and plans out there for everyone to see is important

Do not have a new year resolution.

If I have to wait till the new year to make decision or change course, then I am doing it wrong. We should strive to improvement and change regardless of an arbitrary date or occasion.

Health: I continue to exercise and improve my overall physical condition

Work: I continue to work hard and grow the business.
(though fiscal year is connected to the new year)