1.11.21 - 1.22.22
Hikarigaoka, Tokyo
After many, many MANY hoops to actually get to Japan, I arrived safely (yayy) and am currently doing my federally required quarantine in Hikarigaoka, Tokyo. Three thoughts on this:
1. Japan knows how to QUARANTINE. From mobile-tracking apps to random location video call checks, the government does not joke around these first two weeks. Luckily, they shortened the quarantine period from 14 days to 10 days (yayy part 2) and so I'll be freeee to grocery shop at normal times of the day starting 1.22.
2. I feel incredibly lucky to have this opportunity to live as a Japanese citizen (at the last minute spurred by covid restrictions, I entered with a JP passport rather than a work-visa.) As a half-Japanese American, I often feel I don't deserve to call myself a Japanese for reasons such as my sub-par language skills (despite having a minor in JP language) and looking "ethnically ambiguous" (I am well-practiced in answering the "what are you" question by now.) So! I want this year to be one where I can really embrace and be more confident with claiming my Japanese identity. I know this is a lot to hope for, sounds quite cliche, and there's still a lot to flesh out in terms of what this actually means...but I'm so grateful for this rare chance to actually pursue this goal.
3. Aside from pondering on identity and wondering how to be the most effective teacher for Yakage, I've been deeply contemplating how to win over all the Yakage grannies. I want to hear their laughs, stories and get in on their storage of sage wisdom. So! If you have any tips, do let me know~
I suppose that's it for now verbally, but they say a picture is worth a thousand words. So here are some pictures of my time so far....!
obligatory plane picture
we were green-tagged during our airport journey!
celebrating the transition of hotel to residence quarantine with cheap yet delectable sushi
a crisp sunrise in Hikariagaoka!
our small hotel quarantine room and view
Documenting the bento meals dropped off outside our doors. We also survived on the trusty R2-D2 looking water boiler!
