Wednesday 20 October 2010

Childhood games

This post is about Japan, and my desire to go visit.
I love so much about what I know of Japan. The culture, the history, the etiquette, the food, technology, Manga, the language... Loads. But it's hard for me to ever picture myself there. My friend Mr. P. Junior has been there for the World Cup in 2002 and I know he enjoyed it. But I've never been the sort of person who has the courage to travel like that on my own. At the moment due to no job and my recent house sale I have both time & money enough to take a trip like that - but the thought of me actually doing it just doesn't compute. Organising the flights, hotels, having the courage to go out in a country where the language doesn't even resemble English (as in a lot of European countries)... It's all too much. And this frustrates me as there have been a lot of things in my life that I haven't done for precisely these feelings. It's ok for someone to say "just do it, be brave" etc. but saying and doing are two different things. There are a lot of "life's too short" type quotes out there which should inspire me to take the plunge but again, hearing those things and nodding sagely while thinking " hhmmm you know you're right" doesn't actually make me want to anything about it. Maybe I'm destined to never actually do those big things I really want to do because if this fundamental flaw in my character?
Thoughts to the usual address...

6 comments:

Charlie Naseweis said...

Wicked place, Japan.

If you're worried about the unfamiliarity of the language, don't be. You can get by with a few basic Japanese phrases & you'll find Japanese people are very friendly & want to learn English; they just don't get much chance to practise speaking it.

Admittedly, when I first got off the train at Shinjuku station, it was a bit of a headf*ck. All those bright neon signs in Japanese script & nothing in English! But the few times I got stuck in conversation I just wrote down on paper what I wanted in English - their written English is good.

I'd love to go back there. I only really saw a few places as my trip revolved around the football, but I managed to take in Tokyo, Osaka & Hiroshima. If I went back I would want to see Mount Fuji, Kyoto (ancient capital of Japan) & the north island (Sapporo).

Oh, and the trains ALWAYS run on time there.

Mr P Jnr.

Colin said...

Simon I would just do it. I have done a few stupid things in my life as you know.

I went on a blind date holiday to Bali. I met the girl once over a lot of Beers in NZ.

That was very scary and we had only really talked on the phone. Mind you the calls were an hour long.

You have nothing to loose and everything to gain.

It is amazing how many people you would speak to, you will make some new friends along the way.

Simon said...

Thanks for the tips guys. I know you both are seasoned travellers but as I said in the post being told to "just do it" (to quote Nike) is easy to listen to but harder to carry out.
Looking forward to seeing you next week x

jojohedgehog said...

Well, you know I think you should do it, once your working again which you will be soon you will only wish you did.
Amazing experiences are always the ones that the thought of frighten you the most!

Did giggle at the title, so cheeky xxx

Phil Dawson said...

Doesnt that mean you'll have to get a passport?

Simon said...

Phil - you're right. I can't find mine and I think it's run out anyway!