The culture in Tokyo is one of such kind, generous people. Everyone was so nice to us, probably annoying foreigners who didn't know all of the common etiquette. People always bowed at the streets, said thank you, lavished us with kind words and gifts. I feel as though I have so much more to learn from this generous culture than they do from me.
Tokyo is massive. It goes on for what seems like forever, with crowds of people, busy, thin streets, tall buildings and so much shopping. We found ourselves in trains, inches from people's faces as we all jammed into the system. The air was thick with the lack of vegetation and the many people breathing the oxygen or filling the air with smoke. Little shops, restaurants and cafes are to be found all over the place, selling noodles, curry, coffee, souvenirs, or daily needed items. Another surprising thing about Tokyo is when vans with mega phones drive by, advertising political campaigns through the streets for everyone to hear. Going to the grocery store, we found everything was sold in smaller quantities than we were used to from the United States, and then there was the language barrier which made for a few awkward situations here and there, but nothing that couldn't be covered over with a bow, sorry, and big smile. Then there are the toilets - either squatty potties, normal western style toilets, or the fancy ones that unexpectedly spray your bottom to get clean (and even have mouth wash once in a while...)
These past three weeks we've spent in Tokyo, Japan have been an adventure to say the least. In this polite culture, our team of 10 white, loud westerners have found a little piece of home in the East, older portion of this massive city, where a little Christian school resides called God's Kingdom.
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Read my next post to find out how God has been SO faithful to us during our time here.
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