Thoughts of a Nomadic One

What is it about Tokyo that makes it so different from all the other big metropolises?

It's not only because it's Japanese since Kyoto and Harakone were not the same. It also isn't because of it's huge size since Istanbul, Cairo and London are all of similar size. There's something else that sets this city apart from all the others.

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After taking the superfast Shinkansen train back to Tokyo, I spent the following days exploring this huge and mind-bogglingly radical city. I went to the Harajuko district where many teenagers hangout and some dress in crazy costumes (Little Bo-peep?) and found the Snoopy Store. I also spent nearly 3 hours at an 8-storey high electronics store where I found some Panasonic replacement plastic embedded earbud for my headphones that I had lost in London on Day 1.

I also visited the commercial districts of Shinjuku(where I had a great 40min nap in an upscale department store, there were 4 other people doing it). I then spent nearly 1 hr at the World's Busiest Boardwalk in Shibuya. I just couldn't get enough of that place. The massive number of people moving to the sound of a traffic tune looked like 10 000 people playing musical chairs. Sometimes, some people wouldn't even realize that the game/tune was over and they're still stuck in the street as the cars start to move and hong angrily at them.

Met up with Yuki at Shibuya after work and we had McD's Mega Mac Attack for dinner. While this was a technical violation of Rule 2 (No American fast food), I thought that it was a unique Japanese experience since it doesn't exist outside of Japan (not that I know of). Our visit to the first Pita Pit outside of North America also didn't violate the rule since Pitas aren't quite fast food and the taste of Kingston and home was too good to resist. (As soon as I'm getting back to Canada, I'm getting the biggest poutine I can washed down with Rickards/Sleeman's and a Tim Hortons Ice Cap for dessert)

Took a day trip to Harakone today. This place was the security junction for people who wanted to go to Edo (Tokyo) and visit the Emperor. Its also a beautiful area surrounded by mountains (including Mt. Fuji), forrests and natural geysers. What was funny though was that with my 3-day pass, I took the subway, train, tram, cablecar, rope car, boat/ferry all in one day. Unfortunately, the weather didn't allow me to get a good look at Mt. Fuji. Nonetheless, it was a good day and I'm just waiting for the express train back to Tokyo.

I truly hope I get the chance to work on a few projects here some day.
It would be amazing living here for a period!

Sitting in front on the steps leading up to Kyoto station watching passerby, I can't help but still feel the effects of culture shock in Japan. It had been worse a few days ago when I first arrived in Japan. I was greeted by a familiar face, Yuki my classmate from Queen's University, and everything was so clean, organized, efficient and expensive compared to East Africa.

Nothing encapsulates this more than the homeless old woman I saw who had her mat and blankets neatly folded when Yuki and I were in Kyoto. People didn't lock their bikes to anything and then take away the seat and a wheel, taxi drivers didn't yell at you, salespeople greeted you politely with a bow saying "Irasshaimase!"

I was not in Africa anymore.
Unfortunately for my budget, I was indeed not in Africa anymore.

After 1.5 days of traveling time, 4 time zone changes I arrived 2 days later at the Tokyo-Narita airport to the face of my familiar Japanese friend Yuki. While it was easy to spot him at Queen's (look for 5'-6" tall Japanese looking guy with GPA) it was substantially harder to do so in Japan. Later on, I would take a picture in the Kyoto train station that is reminiscent of "Where's Waldo?" but the Yuki version.

We took the first day easy. I used the lightning fast Japanese fibre-optic-to-node internet to catch-up with contacts and upload pics while Yuki rested since he been up out all night with coworkers. He didn't even go home to sleep before making his way to meet me in the airport in the morning. We then took the double decker overnight bus from Tokyo to Kyoto. It was an incredibly comfortable ride since there was space and the seat was fully reclinable. Yuki and I also laid the foundation for a humourous dictionary of verbs and terms for Apple Math students.

For example:

To Taka:
1) (verb ) To attempt something up to a certain sufficient point since any more effort may be futile
2) To confuse someone beyond all hopes
3) (adjective ) ridiculous, describing something
4) (fashion style ) To dress 15-20 years younger than one should. Possibly wear shirts that are short enough to reveal midrift when one's arms are raised

Since I told Yuki that I wanted an authentic Japanese experience, a mix of old and new, we started in Kyoto, the embodiment of historic/traditional Japan. Kyoto was where the emperors lived until it was moved to Tokyo after the Meiji restoration. There are numerous historical landmarks and shrines here. In my 2 days, I visited the Kinkakuji and the Ginkakuji temples. While walking to the Kiyomizu temple temple, I passed by a very classically traditional neighbourhood in Gion and saw numerous geishas! By the end of the day, I would see 10 of them. However, I didn't get any pics with them since I didn't see other male tourists or locals do so. I also visited Nijo Castle and loved the use of nails in the floorboards to emit nightingale-like sounds when walked on; this was to prevent people sneaking into the castle to assassinate someone.

I spent my night in Kyoto at the Higashiyama hostel, the cleanest and nicest hostel I've been to. It didn't have the greatest atmosphere and the 10:30 pm curfew prevented me from visiting my sister's friend who works at a bar in Kyoto. Although, even if I could have, I'm not sure it would have been the greatest idea.

I can just imagine from her point of view: Random guy shows up saying, "Hi, I'm Mey's brother, Wei!"
Smooth.

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Finally, one of the most significant change has been the people. Everywhere I go, I am greeted extremely politely with a bow. My orders are taken and then repeated by someone in the back in a sing-song voice. Also, due to the fact that I spent my last week in conservative Zanzibar, the stylishly beautiful Japanese women have been candy for my eyes.

Well, I'm off to go 300 km/hr on the Shinkansen bullet train back to Tokyo tonight!

TIA - This Is Africa

It's amazing how many times I actually heard this phrase.
I heard it from the man operating the internet cafe when I told him of some abysmal speeds in Uganda. I heard it from Gary, the Aussie who operated the One Ocean Diving Center, when he was expressing logistics to a tourist who was expecting too much. There are so many things that can be classified under TIA.

Some positive ones for example: the friendly laid-back attitude, the beauty of the environment and ecosystem, the culture. However, the term was usually reserved for more negative usages: police corruption, incompetency, senseless prejudice, wide gaps between the rich/middle class and the rest of the population. Yet, even with all it's issues, East Africa has been an amazing place to visit.

Like many other parts of the world, Africa summons a very distinct, and many times a naive, image. People sometimes generalize the continent as a poor and dangerous place with barbaric natives. However, it is one of the richest continent in the world in terms of natural resources, diversity of environment and fauna. Its people and cultures are also incredibly diverse with very interesting history. The region that I visited usually had well established tourism infrastructures as long as it hasn't been too negatively affected by civil war.

I enjoyed my time in East Africa. It has given me another perspective and insight into the politics and struggle of the region. Something that a typical tour of Europe could not do. There is hope in this region due to the continued stability and economic resurgence. I am hopeful that the newly reformed East African economic community will help bring the 5 countries closer and perhaps entrench a form of unity that this continent so desperately needs.

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While I have 2 days of traveling time to look forward to, 4 time zone changes and 4 flights to take in order to get from Matemwe, Zanzibar to Tokyo, Japan. I think it is about time for me to make my way out of Africa. I want to thank Thomas again for introducing me to the region and for his hospitality. I want to thank the people of East Africa for being so welcoming.

Asante sana and Kwa heri!

I don't know why I do it to myself. You know when you realize you have a wound and you try not to touch it or get salt on it? I'm that guy that rubs salt onto it to see how much pain I can handle. That must be the reason why I decided to get my PADI open-water diver certification when I am such a terrible swimmer and dislike the water!

I can honestly say, it was the toughest thing I've had to do on this trip. However, the victory and experience of swimming with the fishes and exploring shipwrecks were well worth the troubles.

I spent most of my days in Stone Town doing the 4-day PADI open-water dives. After the lessons and dives, I usually surfed the net for a bit at the internet cafe next door of my hostel and had dinner at my customary stand at the Forodhani. I had gone to one stand at the end since one of the guys serving wore a Drogba Chelsea F.C. jersey and I made fun of him. I ended up going back to the same place for dinner 4 times in 6 days (kingfish, marlin, mussels, lobster and squid.) The prices (though slightly overcharging) were astoundingly cheap and the food fresh! The experience of sitting by the sea and watching the sun set as you eat your fresh seafood was exquisite.

On my last day in Stone Town, I had dinner at the Archipelago (where I first had a Zanzibar Pweza: grilled octopus/squid in spicy sauce) and then watched a Taarab music performance at the Zanzibar Serena Inn.

In my week in Stone town, I've developed a routine: Get up, have breakfast, wash-up, class, internet, dinner, read, sleep.
The routine almost felt like normal life.

I spent my last full day on Zanzibar island in the beach town of Matemwe. The beach had perfect white sand and was pretty much deserted. While I was at the restaurant of Matemwe Beach Hotel, I was asked by their staff to help figure out why there was no sound in the front/back right speakers. I quickly used my problem solving skills to deduce the problem and now I am satisfied in my knowledge that my engineering education was not in vain. A few "Asante sanas" from them and I was on my way to the beach when one of them asked, "Are you Christian?"

What a strange question I thought.
I replied, "No, Atheist", to confused looks.
I then added, "Canadian!" and smiled, they smiled back.

Karibu sana

So I've been writing a lot recently due to my abundance of time. It's coincided with my halfway mark of my trip and this is a good time to reflect.

The Good: So much to mention from the people I've met (travelers and locals), the things I've seen, the experiences that I've had and lessons learned. All of the above have made me a more enriched person. From mopeding on Hvar, going to a refugee camp in Palestine, seeing Auschwitz, food from different countries and cultures, being under the stars surrounded by new friends and wild animals, it's all been amazing.

The Bad: A few to name and they include movies I've seen on the trip, paying extra sometimes as a single/late planner, being mistaken for Japanese/Chinese/Korean or even worst, American. Annoying touts/salesmen.

The Ugly: A few minor one such as the lack of reliable/accessible internet (we take it for granted). Lack of private space in many hostels. Lack of clean facilities and the heightened danger of traveling alone.
But most of all, it's the loneliness. Ones you feel even when you're surrounded by people or even in huge populated cities. While I'm a very independent person and I like being by myself many a times, "No man's an island."
I've been lucky in making some friends along the way (which does not come natural to me) but it makes it even more difficult to leave. The hardest part about traveling alone is the loneliness that comes with missing family and friends, old and new. But there's an easy solution: Like a bad hangover, get some more (beers and friends!)

Some of the things I've learned:

• The world is crazy with complex issues. But inherently, most people only want simple things: egality, freedom, prosperity, a future for their children and most of all peace.

• There is no greater fear than fear itself. The most dangerous animal in Africa is not a lion, snake, spider, croc, etc. It is Man itself.

• No matter how much society or humanity has progressed, it can revert back to barbarism and cruelty in a flash. Those who have the moral courage must take a lead in such prevention.

• There is so much to see/learn in this world that its endless but one must keep striving to enrich one's life!
  

Some of the things I've learned about myself:

• Damn I read fast!
  
• Man I hate the water and I'm a terrible swimmer
  
• I must be slightly masochistic since I like to make myself do things that are challenging and make my life difficult for myself (like diving when I hate swimming)
  
• I still love space and flight
  
• I have terrible flirting skills
  
• I've learned a lot about how to be more social, communicative than since I traveled 4 years ago on my last big trip.
  
• I really should learn how to dance (simple: Lessons with Dave Chesser)
  

Movies seen: Rater 1-10, 10 being the best.

• Last King of Scotland (8)
  
• Blades of Glory (7)
  
• Unknown titled Turkish space movie (1)
  
• Littleman in Turkish (1.5)
  
• Ripley's Game (4)
  
• Leelo and Stitch 2 (3)
  
• Amazing Grace (8.5)
  
• Freedom Writers (6.5)
  
• The Fountain (4) (I hate Hugh Jackman)
  
• Nigerian exorcist movie (1.25)
  

Books read:

• Grapes of Wrath
  
• Children of Hurien
  
• For Whom the Bell Tolls
  
• Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy
  
• Mine Boy
  
• Velocity
  

People I've met up with:

• Rhett
  
• Andrew and Dana
  
• Martin
  
• Baris
  
• Catherine
  
• Thomas