Not Sure Where I am Yet.

It's nearing the end of my first month in Japan.  Classes are underway, my study and homework load has begun.  I have yet to get a working bank account open, which has limited my spending and therefore my willingness to travel farther than walking distance.  But other than that you'd think by about this time I would realize I'm here.  That is to say, I would come across some strange epiphany and scream out "Holy Crap, I'm in Japan."  Right now it still feels like I am at some kind of Disney World attraction, albeit a very big one.  But it is still lacking that sense of real in my brain.

I've never done this before.  I've heard stories and had friends who have done things like this before.  I've been told of what to expect.  Everything from Culture Shock and Life Shock, to Honeymoons of Joy and Valleys of Depression.  I'm not going to hold my breath or get worried though until November, by then it will be two months and I will be well past any stage of initial shock by then.  There is also the concept that when I get to practicing Kendo here there is a good chance I will be hit into whatever sudden realizations I need.

I do things different than I did at home in America.  Everything in my routine is something askew from what I am used to.  I'm not hiding in my room, nor am I avoiding foreign foods.  I will admit my prudence with my money right now has left me being relaxed from sudden bouts of exploration but they still happen.  I'm not in my norm at all, and yet I still feel rather comfortable.  The only night I really didn't was the first one alone the day after I flew.  I really hope that wasn't it.  Although it would be nice I would feel kind of gypped.  Not that I have any overwhelming want for an emotionally trying psychotic episode (or any misplaced angry feelings towards the ancient Gypsies for that matter) but some part of me would feel like I missed out on something.

I don't think it's true.  Not yet.  I don't think that I have already acclimated do to some strange unexplainable innate feeling unique to me.  One day I will probably go somewhere order a Japanese grilled chicken, and get something that was boiled in candied yams with some ham (again) and just collapse in a fit of confusion.  Or worse (and more likely) I will be given the dreaded dish I fear the most... the still moving red snapper.  I'm not sure it is anything more than a myth used to explain "Bushu-suru"s.  Suffice to say, there is more than a 70% chance it will involve food.

I mean, some of my friends in the exchange here at Rikkyo, from all over the world, have already had some interesting confrontations, missing of last trains, and lists of random "Wait wha-?" moments.  I have had a few myself.  But its my reaction or lack there of to it all that's perplexing.  It's not understanding that's for sure.  Perhaps a rational willingness to understand?  Who knows.

Main point is, right now, I can poke my head out the door and see Japan.  Closing my door and observing my room I am still in Japan.  I go to school in Japan.  I learn Japanese and Japanese Culture on a daily basis, and not only from some class.  But my brain still hasn't flipped some on switch that turns on a neon light saying YOU'RE IN JAPAN and has a blinking arrow towards my feet.

It'll happen, I know it'll happen.  There is a good chance I will indeed wake up from a dead sleep and scream it at the top of my lungs. It just hasn't happened yet.  That's the big thing I want to get across.