~:[CH13 - Day 184]:~ Isolation | Assimilation

 
~:[CH13 - Day 184]:~ Isolation | Assimilation 

It's a little strange spending over ten percent of your year in a country where you don't speak the language. It's true that I am familiar with Japanese and can get by, but the reality is, I don't speak it. It can be quite isolating at times, still yet I feel like I also blend in. When I move around throughout Japan, people see me as a "local" assuming I speak Japanese until I either pull out my passport or Google translate. My friend did tell me that I give off a non-Japanese vibe and they can tell by looking at me, while at the same time, others told me, just by my face, they assume I speak Japanese. Despite this, I move around like a local, know the ins and outs of certain neighborhoods and even can navigate to the best exits in Shinjuku Station, which is impressive even for a local. Am I assimilated? In life, sometimes we find ourselves in limbo. We're not quite the insider, yet not quite an outsider. We blend in, yet we don't. While we are accepted, sometimes we may not feel the fluidity that we had hoped. As I spent my final day wandering around Ueno, I thought about how this past month, actually has flown by. I've loved almost every moment despite the rare moments of downtime. Although I've been around only a few people who could speak English, no matter what, aside from maybe 1-2% of the time, I've felt welcomed and accommodated. The sadness that comes with separating from close friends is a pain I've become used to as I received messages with an emphatic "NOOOOOOO!" as I say my goodbyes. Of course those goodbyes have become less of a final farewell, but more of a またね, as I know I will see most of them again; maybe that's truly when you've become assimilated. I worked about 50% of the time, but it still left me with another half to explore and enjoy a less touristy experience and a more local vibe. Just hanging out and not trying to hit all the touristy spots. Soon, I will pass through the security gates and cross the Pacific once again. To those who helped me move from isolation to assimilation over the years, I thank you and aside from thank you, all I have left to says is またね.