My last group email from Japan:

Hisashiburi (long time no see)!

I have survived Typhoon 25, the summer rainy season feels imminent and I have been a poor friend and not written much of anything since before winter. This means that I only have about 9 weeks left in this crazy country before I head off for good. As scary and as sad as that thought is, I realize it is time to move on and start living in a western reality again. At times, being here is like being in an alternate universe, and I become so involved with the insular social group created here that I forget that it is only temporary. But it is, and a year from now, things I do at this stage will seem like something I saw on TV, not actually lived.

I can hardly believe that Japan has been my home for TWO years! Japan is the most unique place I have ever been in my life, with a culture so completely contrary to anything I knew before. It has been two years of learning and growing for me, not just from the Japanese but from the many foreigners I have befriended as well. Even the Americans have taught me something! And I know I will miss Japan like crazy when I do leave, even more for the challenges I faced by living here.

Even so, as much as I have learned here, and as much as I will take home with me in August, I promise not to bombard everyone with “Tales of Japan Life”. I will try to be conscious of the fact that my retorts of “Well, in Japan…” may be met with glazed eyes after 30 seconds, or the same snicker that “When I was at band camp...” is likely to produce. I only ask that you be a bit forgiving to me in the first weeks of culture shock and remember that as of yet I don’t really have that much else to talk about. Sorry.

So, after the initial question answered, “How was Japan?” (“Good thanks”), you might be wondering, “What next?”

Well, my contract ends officially on July 28^th, but classes end on the 16^th, so I plan on travelling around Japan, to see what I have missed, until the beginning of August. Then my plan is to fly to Montreal or Halifax by August 2^nd and spend till August 22^nd driving back to Victoria with my friend Ivy in a car that we will buy when we get to Canada. The only problem with this plan so far, is that I NEED A CAR. So if anyone knows how I can get a hold of a car somewhere in the eastern half of Canada, let me know!

I am taking the frame of mind that life is really an adventure and it is best not to plan it out. My alternative life plans are either move to England and continue the travelling lifestyle I love over there, move to Australia and try something completely different, like being a dive master or working on a sailing boat, or maybe upgrade some courses at another university in Canada. I know nothing can compete with the wages I earned over here and the amount of holiday time I have been able to swindle, but I need to ease into a stable life again.

However, for now, I plan on making the most of this unique experience while I still have the chance. I will probably come home in August a lot richer in perspective, but as poor in pocket as when I arrived. New experiences seem to cost a lot these days, especially in Japan!