Overall Reflection of the Trip to Tokyo

Just one of what will be several follow up reflections to the trip, thought I would share with you all :)

Overall Reflection:

I had initially wanted to take this class last year when it went off to Thailand but due to a lack of vacation time and some family things going on I was unable to take part in it so when I saw this class was going to Tokyo I knew I was in. The work leading up to the trip was stressful at best, mainly in part because of the amount of time my spring 2 class was taking. Then throw in reading, presentation, travel preparation and packing with a final just a few days prior to departure with a full-time busy work schedule. I was about ready to melt-down but that wouldn’t get me anywhere with either class!

 Needless to say the experience was amazing. I was lucky to have the opportunity to take my mom on this trip, our first ever international trip! Then upon arrival I had the chance to meet and befriend so many other students from around the world, the new friendships from this experience are even more solidified because of the experiences we had the chance to partake in. The adventurous spirit of the group was contagious leading us to nightly excursions to different parts of Tokyo and down dark alleys and side streets in search of fun and different food locations, each immersing us in more of the culture and providing just a few more stories that no one else in our lives can truly understand. My subway map has the crease marks and worn spots of all the locations and memories of this trip.

 Experiencing the subway in the middle of rush-hour, joking about the overstimulation of a culture surrounded by music, lights, colors, characters on packed trains while the locals were completely immersed in their cellphones allowed me to really immerse myself in what was happening around me at all times (even finally finding that bird stuck in all the subway stations!), going to the Tokyo Dome for a jump into Japanese culture surrounded by lots of singing and music and chanting, heading to the gardens for an unplanned tour and seeing wedding pictures taking place (and not being the only people to take pictures of the happy couple, there was a Japanese tour group that mobbed the couple), and going around the city whether for school, touring days or for relaxation. These are just a few moments that have impacted me greatly.

 Professionally I deal with Guests traveling from all around the world, many that speak no English. I have been hesitant to even attempt to use my limited Spanish skills with those that speak Spanish. After being in a country where I don’t speak the language I now have an appreciation for those who made the attempt to communicate with me whether in broken English or just with motions on a map. It makes me want to do the same for others that I encounter, it’s time to stop being so shy with my language attempts and to put them to use!

 This was a life changing experience for me, I want to travel more outside of the country and experience even more cultures and even more food opportunities that I would never take while here in the US! I want to learn more about the Japanese culture as well, this may take me down a road professionally that focuses on the Japanese Guests or it could take me on another road…time will tell!