so close to being over...

Today was the speech and the farwell party. The speech was actually nice, and not nearly as horrible as I was thinking. The farewell party was sad though. At the beginning of this experience, I was like woww this is so long I am going to be here forever. And now here I am with one week left , still feeling as if I have just arrived. I think it is about time I listed all the things I love about Japan.

1. The people. Everyone I have met is open and kind, and they truly want to make you happy during your stay.

2. The language. Japanese language, in my opinion, is one of the most polite that exists. In Japanese, you almost never straight up say "no." You say, "chotto," which kind of means, not really, no thanks. It's really nice, the way people are rarely rude to one another. Do you know that the worst Japanese word I have learned during my stay is "bakka," which means stupid? And it is considered extremely rude even to say that. I also love some of the vocabulary. For instance, please is kudasai. Thank you is arigatoogozaimasu. You're welcome is doitashimashite. They answer the phone by saying moshi moshi. I think it is charming.

3. The hot springs (onsen). The Japanese people are not ashamed of their bodies. The hot springs is full of people very young, very old, and all ages in between. I think it is beautiful and unique.

4. The food. Japanese food is simply wonderful. Before you begin eating you say "itadakimasu" and after you have finished you say "gochisosamadeshita."

5. The traditions. To see people walking around in yukata (summer kimono) just on a normal day is such an elegant thing. Many things here in Japan strike me as being extremely elegant. The way they sit for long periods of time kneeling without saying a word? I mean, I cannot do it! But they simply accept and respect it as part of their culture. Tea ceremonies? Ikebana (flower arrangement)? I don't always understand them, but the Japanese people seem to respect and enjoy these traditions.

6. The shrines. They are gorgeous. Maybe I don't agree with the beliefs and such of many of the people here, but I like to think that the shrines are for everyone. When i go to a shrine, I feel it is a holy place too. Many times I have said a prayer when I visit them, it's just that I pray to a different power than the people here, and I think that's okay. Maybe religious diversity can be a difficult thing to accept or know how to feel about it, but I think it is something that is not so difficult to embrace. I am Christian, my host family is Buddhist, my friends from Sweden are atheists. But when I am talking with them, eating with them, I don't think about that, and it seems to me that they don't either. My host family has openly asked me what is my religion, what i it like? And I tell them. Many people I have met on this trip have had a variety of beliefs; I accept it even if I don't agree with it. Maybe this isn't the sort of thing I am supposed to be writing about on here and maybe it is not my place to be saying any of these things. But I find it is not so difficult to love people of many religions, and I think it is a good thing to do.

The things I love about Japan are not limited to this list, but these are a few of the main ones. Of course I am happy to come home and see everyone I love, but I love this place too. I think I would like to come back someday. I want to see more of Japan that I haven't gotten the opportunity to, and come back to see the people here that have opened their lives to me, without a single hesitation or doubt. I would also love to bring one of my family members here with me. I think Ethan would love it, and mom and dad too. It's hard to describe all of this to someone who hasn't been here, and I would love to bring Ethan or mom or dad back here with me someday. And this experience hasn't just been about Japan. I now have friends in Italy, Australia, Sweden, Switzerland, and Germany. I no longer just have the desire to return to Japan, but I want to go to Italy and visit Noemi and eat gelato and pizza and pasta and see everything. I want to go to Australia to see Oscar and his "mates." I want to go to Switzerland to spend time with Michelle and her twin sister and eat chocolate. I want to go to Sweden and spend more time with Sebastian and Anton. I want to go to other parts of Asia, like India and China and Thailand. It's really indescribable. When I choose what I want to do and what college I want to go to, I will definitely have in the back of my mind: What career path will let me go everywhere? What college has good programs to study overseas? It all sound so silly when I type it out haha, but it really is a gret feeling. Anyway, thank you so much. For your support and patience and love and assurance when I was unsure. I appreciate you all.

Audrey