I mentioned this briefly to Christine the other day… Japan has its tentacles in me and won’t let go! It’s not a bad thing, it’s just a bit strange for a country that I had little-no interest in before first working there in 2001.
I stopped at the Strand Saturday on my way from the bus drop off to Port Authority. I only meant to look for some of the Civil War Books but I somehow found myself in the Japan section
Geisha, Gangster, Neighbor, Nun and Public People, Private People just *jumped* into my basket. I’m also reading The Accidental Office Lady, which I picked up a few weeks ago at Kinokuniya. I’m so glad that opened at Palisades. It was basically the only option in Japan for English books until the new store opened in Shinsaibashi, but now it’s almost a treasure trove for books about Japan.
While I definitely had more of an interest in Japan the second go-round, I didn’t expect it to go like this. I’m definitely enjoying looking back at some old pics. I definitely miss Japan. Will I work there again? Not as an English teacher. Will I go back, almost definitely.
4 responses so far ↓
1 Kate // Mar 9, 2007 at 20:22
Thank you so much for stopping by and I am glad I discovered your blog.
Have you read any Murakami? He might be too obvious a Japanese writer, but he is my absolute favourite author and ‘Norwegian Wood’ is my favourite piece of literature. I would love to discover him again.
I also love to travel. I went to Vietnam recently, and I thought perhaps (although probably not…) you might want to see some of my travel photos. There is not many, but they are at http://euphorically.blogspot.com/2007/02/vietnam.html . I want to go to Laos and Thailand/Cambodia next year..
2 admin // Mar 10, 2007 at 21:25
Kate,
Thanks to you too for stopping by! I have read some Murakami – Kafka on the The Shore most recently, and another whose title I’m unfortunately blanking out on at the moment.
Have you read Donald Richie’s stuff? I love his looks at the ‘other’ Japan that too many people often miss.
I’m off to look at your photos now, I love seeing travel shots. I’m off to Prague and Australia this summer and looking forward to both.
3 Christine // Mar 12, 2007 at 08:37
Make sure to drop by Kyushu this time!
4 Cari // Mar 14, 2007 at 17:33
Specifically your area, of course
Was very bummed to have missed both you and Lisa. I think you were both away? Can’t remember now.