Seasons Greetings

It has been an interesting month. This time of year is beautiful in Tokyo. All of the leaves are changing color to golden yellows and crimson reds. The Japanese are even beginning to put out the Christmas lights and trees. Explaining why Jesus is the reason for the season has made transitioning to spiritual conversations an effortless endeavor. This is in contrast to the do-you-believe-in-God approach, which tends to catch students off guard. Culturally speaking, in Japan, God is typically an afterthought if at all. Discussions of a spiritual nature are far from commonplace. This reality differs from the environment I was raised. But recently, I have discovered that I am in much more foreign territory than my first impressions led me to believe. My heart has been in a unique place lately. In a sense, I think my heart has simply been in somewhere else. My emotions seem to have suffered some sort of inhibition; the range is slight. Experiences that used to make me want to perform a celebratory back flip now yield a warm smile. Instances that used to weigh heavily on my heart receive this sort of frown and shrug combo. I failed to recognize this emotional detachment at first, but more and more it has come to my attention. So amid the holiday hoopla, I set out to find what brought me to this unique season of my own. I think I have pinpointed the problem. It’s Japan. Perhaps that is too broad and somewhat accusatory. I believe being in Japan has got me all out of rhythm. Before coming here, I received great preparation and training. A portion of that instruction was dedicated to experiencing a new culture, as well as the shock that comes with it. I think all of the talk about all things familiar I would soon miss and the overwhelming effect of a new culture resonated with me before coming. So my defenses went up. Sure, I had that initial thought of, “What have I got myself into?”. But after that brief first impression I felt as though all was normal. The adjustment seemed to be much quicker and painless than I had anticipated. It is apparent things aren’t that simple. Lately, I have become more aware of my circumstances. I am in a different world. Physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually; nothing is as it was. I live in a new land, speaking a new language, with all new people, new ideas, new philosophies, new beliefs, and few encounters with the familiar. Naturally, it was a little dose of the familiar (my girlfriend Rana) who helped me recognize this stoic demeanor I‘ve been stuck in.
Since identifying my heart’s current condition, I’ve been able to be intentional about seeking it out. I have discovered the beginnings of recovery. Prayer has been key (no one knows my heart better than God). Talking through it has helped. Accepting that it’s ok to miss those old familiar things works too. So be praying with me about this. I will say that my heart feels softer by the day and this is a good thing. Be encouraged, as I have been lately. So rather than talk about all the junk I miss at home, which you all probably are either freely enjoying or taking for granted, I thought I would share a few things which flirt with familiarity only to mix in a Japanese twist.
1) Japan is a dog and cat culture. I don’t care for cats (at all), but here I actually don’t mind them as much. The cats here are the cleanest breed of roaming animals I have ever encountered. They are literally cleaner than some domesticated cats I know of in the US. Perhaps in an effort to differentiate his pet from the roamers, I witnessed one man walking his cat on a leash. This was an exciting lifetime first for me, and although I say “walking the cat,” standing around with the feline would be a more accurate representation. It’s the dogs here that fascinate me though. Most come in small sizes (like all things Japanese). I have probably seen more pugs than anything. Owners like to don their pups in trendy little outfits and hats to strut around town in. These dogs are incredibly well trained. For weeks, I was beginning to forget what a dog bark sounded like. Japan is remarkably quiet, especially in the evening (which also happens to be prime dog-walking time). I have spent time in libraries more raucous than this tranquil metropolis of 35 million people. I do have a suspicion that the dogs that don’t stay in line get sent over the bay to that country with a fondness for canine cuisine.
2) The yaki-imo truck. This is simply a truck that sells yaki-imo, roasted sweet potato. The best description I can muster for the yaki-imo truck is the sinister Japanese cousin of the American ice cream man. This truck drives around town slowly, with two glowing, orange paper lanterns and the loudspeaker humming a drawn out “yyaaaakkkkiiiimmmmooooo” chant. The scent of burning charcoal and sweet potato emanates from the smoke stack of the trucks on-board furnace. I can’t help but notice however that the truck only appears after thick cloud-cover has canopied the vicinity of this rolling merchant. Sometimes the weather has been poor all day, other times the sun was shining vibrantly just moments prior to the trucks emergence. This meteorological phenomena isn’t quite as apocalyptic as the rolling clouds the aliens followed in the film Independence Day, but there is something suspicious about this truck. No one trusts the stranger who lurks in the shadows, but that catchy “yyaaakkkiiiimmooo” chant is enough to keep me interested in a bite.
3) Macodonarudosu. That is the Japanese pronunciation for McDonald’s. There is one I pass almost every day just 100 meters from the local train station. I have this dilemma which I am hoping all of you loving readers will help me with. First, a little background: I am even less fond of this establishment than I am of cats. Not because the food isn’t good (I find it tasty), or because the food is dreadfully unhealthy (nothing a little running can’t overcome), but simply because of what McD’s represents to me. That is, all things McDonald’s related have this direct association to lowness. The food quality is low, the majority of my past experiences dining there were subpar, and I have this general impression that a consistent portion of their clientele can be lacking in class as well. When I worked on a farm last summer the three most common forms of litter I picked up were beer cans, cigarette packs, and McDonald’s food wrappers. I’m not saying everyone who indulges in an Arch Deluxe is automatically qualified for a Jeff Foxworthy joke, but I’d be lying if I didn’t say one’s potential increases. So back to my dilemma. I told myself I would not eat at McDonald’s this year, so as to not detract from the purest and richest experience of Japan I can afford myself. This was an easy commitment. Upon my arrival however, I discovered that the McDonalds’ out here have menu items completely unique to the regions. Entrees such as teriyaki burgers and shrimp mcnuggets caught me a little off guard. I now find myself debating whether trying these unique items will increase the fullness of my experience here, or if going to McDonald’s Tokyo will detract from my experience, just as eating there could potentially detract from one’s life experience anywhere. I would love to hear all of your thoughts on this matter. In honor of the late Vincent Vega, I will strongly value the feedback of any persons who have consumed a Royale with cheese.