OHIO

OHIO

Yes, that is the state I was born in, but it is also “Good Morning” in Japanese but written Ohayo.

I board a train at the airport in Osaka, Japan to head to my hostel and note everyone sitting politely still, no phones, no talking, no music. I ask the young man sitting next to me in a quiet voice if he speaks English. He looks at me surprised that I spoke, then leaned in toward me, covered his mouth with his hand and whispered “ A little”.  I get the picture.  There is even a sign in both Japanese and English that says- Please turn off your cell phones and refrain from talking on them. And everyone obeys it!!!

Apart from the unspoken “do not disturb your neighbors” law, I note there is not one speck of trash – anywhere. Not just on the train but anywhere in the city streets. The train, the stations and streets are so pristine you could literally eat off the floors.

No one consumes food, beverages, smokes, or engages in conversation while on the streets. I have been informed that the first three activities are gravely frowned upon. While on a narrow street near my accommodation, I come to a halt at a pedestrian crossing. I observe that the signal indicates “do not walk,” yet there is not a single vehicle in sight – in any direction. There are five other individuals at the intersections waiting to cross, and not a single person dares to disregard the signal and cross the road, despite the absence of any vehicles in sight. Each person patiently awaits for the signal to change to “walk” before proceeding.

The hostel follows course and is extremely clean and organized- there are no dirty towels on the floor. Guests are required to remove their shoes before entering, a rule enforced in most places in the city.  Noise is kept to a minimum, no loud voices or music.  It is also a capsule hostel but a bit larger than the one in Switzerland, a little wider and I can comfortably kneel without bumping my head on the ceiling in this one. The jet lag is horrendous- a 13 hour time difference. I departed for Japan in the afternoon on Wednesday and arrived on Thursday evening. And did not sleep a wink.  I spend most of the first few days attempting to determine the current day and time.

I made a decision at some point during the journey to explore Eastern traditional health practices.  Many years ago, I discovered Reiki, a type of energy healing, originating from Japan. It was amazing and effective.

Over the first few days in Osaka I seek out places to have a foot reflexology session, then an acupressure treatment and last an acupuncture session. The acupuncture involved placing small, thin needles in specific areas of the body.  I had 8-10 needles in each calf and ankle, a few in the hands, a dozen in the neck and shoulders and last, half a dozen in my head.  Sounds gruesome, surprisingly it does not hurt- much!

After feeling energized and well-tuned I begin my journey from Osaka, to Kyoto, to Toyooka, to Kumihama where I will live and work on an oyster farm for 3-4 weeks in exchange for a bed and all the oysters I can eat. Oh, and let me not forget that the deal includes all the rice I can eat as well.

Motto osoku!

Some dogs wear dresses in Japan