Well, the project is over. The last of the paperwork is completed, and we all are overjoyed that we have a success! It's been a lot of hard rowing, but the corn is ever so tasty. (No, I don't mean to be corny. Sorry.)
I am scheduled to return to America on this Sunday. You may notice that I didn't say, "I will...." That's because I'm not sure. I've been asked to assist with another project here that has need of my skills, until about the end of March. There's the bird in hand aspect and then there's the "but I miss my home" aspect. This evening, the logistics will be worked out, and we'll hopefully no longer be in the dark about that scenario.
So why am I writing now? Because I have the time. I've been kept so busy here, I haven't had any time for e-mail, journalizing and the like. I've tried to read or skim most everything that I receive, but the backlog has piled up so high. But I don't mean to complain.
I'm sorry for the abrupt ending of my journals. The short version is that three and a half months here have not reduced my fascination with the place. I am still in awe of the transportation system, still impressed by the mannerisms of the people, still learning the language, still enjoying the food, and still missing the home life.
So what's different? Well, now it's more difficult to get lost, even in this huge city. That's because I can do basic communication (like, maybe, a 5-year-old). Woo hoo. Rain doesn't fall every third day or so. Weather is cooler at night (lows in the low 50s). Oh, and I wore out the heels of my black dress shoes. :^)
I'd love to know how far I've walked since I arrived
here. It's a minimum of 1.5 miles every day (to/from
work/lunch)... then when "the boys" and I go somewhere, that's
probably an additional 5 minimum. Well, I wouldn't have made it
home on foot by now at that rate (there's a minor problem with that
thought anyway), but it's quite surprising how one can get used
to not having a car.
We left a certain city in Ohio just south of Detroit and about 60 miles west of Cleveland several years ago because it was just plain unfriendly. You'd walk into a store, and be made to feel like the "workers" in the store were doing you a favor by noticing you. Usually, they wouldn't do even that favor. And don't ask for anything. Typical response was, "If you don't see it, we don't have it." It wasn't just in the stores, but that, for me, is a great measure of the attitudes of people. In contrast, it is customary here for every person... even those who do not see you (not kidding) to say, "irasshaimasse!" (welcome!) when you enter the store... and "arigatoo gozaimasu" (thank you) when you leave. Every cashier, stock person, manager... whomever. What happens, is that the first person who notices you enter/leave will make the appropriate statement, and from all over the store, you hear it echoed in various voices. That, if I have explained clearly enough, may go a ways in describing the attitude of the people here. And I've never felt it's like the "have a nice day" thing that goes without emotion in most stores. I've felt that it's sincere. It's funny, though: there are sensors now on most doors and machines so that they can detect whether you're coming or going. Now, when you walk up to a ticket machine, it says, "irasshaimasse." And when you have made your purchase... but not until you walk away (you might buy more), it says, "Arigatoo gozaimasu." Some of the machines even have video screens with images of people that bow to you as you approach and leave. Funny. :^) Same things happen at a door in some places. What fascinates me, is that they detect the direction you're moving. And they don't get confused by people entering while others are leaving; it's handled very well. Amazing. But someting (someting?) like that is bound to amaze this techno-holic.
Anyway, I want to let you know my status as far as it's known, share an anecdote or two, and provide a minor update.
I hope each of you is doing great.