" Re: Thoughts about Japan and more…
A little while ago I was able to teleport myself (almost) back to Japan by watching the movie “The Ramen Girl” starring Brittany Murphy. I figured, since I can’t teleport by eating Chicago-based sushi, I can try to immerse myself in a movie (although they come close, no restaurant tastes enough like the fish I tried at Tsukiji fish market at five in the morning – soft, sensual, just the right balance of flavor from fresh fish caught right out of the water). Well, it worked for a short while, but I find myself always itching for more Japanese culture, food, and the past experiences of GIM Japan 2010. Most memorable for me will always be my home stay family. What started out as a bit of an embarrassing occasion turned into one of the most warm and welcome events of my life. Why embarrassing? The night I stayed with my family I did not realize we would be together after bath time for tea-time. Note to all home-stayers! A long t-shirt does not suffice as a proper night gown. I understood immediately after my bath, stepping out into the living room for some family tea-time, the discomfort in the room (three kids, parents, grandparents and all!) Read more