Japan Trip :)

2010-12-13T06:43:00.000-08:00

I visited Tokyo and a prefecture in Japan for a cultural exchange programme of students and youths. I was joined by 6 others from various parts of Tamilnadu and120 others from all-over India. We were separated into 6 small groups. 8.5 hours journey from Delhi to Tokyo and the time just flew. We landed at the Narita International airport on 16th June 2009. Time difference is 3.5 hours and I had to tune my time forward!:) Tokyo, the capital city of Japan holds 10% of Japan’s population and you will never feel it is crowded. I was too excited that I kept clicking pictures of lorries, trucks and even ordinary buildings for the first few hours! :)

Hospitality is the first thing that pats you in Japan. People are polite beyond words, self-dependent, responsible and are pure workaholics. Japan has its own rules. Private transportation includes cycles and cars. Virtually no bikes!! Well-connected public transports include trains, buses and taxis. I found no one obese and people are very health conscious. Roads are pollution-free and everything is too much clean ;) It was supposed to be summer and the temperature recorded just 24 degrees Celsius! Buddhism and Christianity exist but Japan has its own ways of praying like thanking the farmers and parents before and after every meal! And not to forget, the city is busy all day but there is no noise! :o

Japan is divided into 47 prefectures such as Hyogo, Hiroshima, Ibaraki, Hokkaido, Niigata, Miyazaki etc., I visited Hyogo and Kobe, port city. The ride in the Shinkansen (bullet train) was superb, swift, punctual and comfortable. We managed to click snaps of Mount Fuji (worshipped by Japanese people as God). It is the tallest mountain covered with snow streaks and it is beautiful! While Tokyo was buildings, Kobe was the country side. The bay with no waves and mountains at the background stun you instantly! Getting on top of the port tower and looking at the entire city from that height makes you feel like God!

Food! They eat everything and they eat it raw!!!! And yes, Japanese people have the longest lifespan  Beef is too expensive and too tasty (heard so ;)). Cows are bathed in Sake (Japanese wine) and are fed apples!! Sushi, tempura and udong are the three Japanese delicacies that I personally tasted, purely vegetarian specially made by my host mother on my insistence :) (No comments about Udong! I will not say it was horrible :p). But do not worry; there are a lot of Indian restaurants ;)

Home-stay was a part of my ten day program when each one of us had to live separately with a Japanese family for three days and two nights. There were five members in my family excluding two pups Den and Dick (Golden retrievers!). Youngsters in Japan are more into learning English and American culture and that includes my 18 year host sister too :) My host family lived in a remote place near Osaka named Mikishi. We had to change 3 trains to reach there from Kobe. Mikishi was too quiet and serene. Since it was a cultural exchange programme I had to take note of the cultural similarities and differences between India and Japan. They also celebrate Diwali under the name Hanabi (Only sparkles. No crackers, no noise).

As for the dress, it is western everywhere. Kimono is their traditional dress which is worn only on special occasions and the summer kimono is called yukata. People mostly take bath in the night (not in the morning! :p), they eat very less but healthy food (fruits, fish and yogurt included in every meal), give importance to cleanliness (like using a hot napkin before every meal to wipe hands, wearing separate pair of slippers for outdoor, indoor and bathroom), too much importance to punctuality and work, less importance to relaxation and enjoyment, eat with chop-sticks and they give respect to everything in existence!

Technological advancement is put to best use! “Mottainai” is their motto which means “waste nothing” and they recycle everything. This includes space, food, water and garbage. All buildings are closely spaced and are built with wood and earthquake resistant rubber material which absorbs the effect of the quake. Environment is given godly respect.

Despite sky-scrapers scaling the skies, you see greenery everywhere in Japan. Cost of living is quite high, money is equally distributed and people are rich. And their ability to rebound is amazing! Be it the second world-war or the earthquakes, Japanese’ spirit soars high! Except for their robotic life and their superstitions (13th floor was missing in the two major hotels I stayed ;)) everything is positive in Japan!! My little heart still lives in Mikishi! :);)

My first Blog - Gangtok!

2010-12-13T06:36:00.000-08:00

I spent 7 days and 6 nights on the foothills of the Himalayas! The Nepalis, Bhutias, Lepchas & the Tibetans term Gangtok as “The abode of Gods!”. Gangtok literally means ‘Hilltop’ located approximately 5500 feet above sea level. Well-maintained roads, pavements & tourist locations and well-connected taxi services add to the already existing attractions of Gangtok. Indian Government spends lavishly for the development of the North-Eastern states and it clearly is reflected in Gangtok where children are offered free education and complimentary uniforms too! I found no beggars on the streets! (Not even one!!).

Temperature in the place during summer is completely bearable and during winter is completely unbearable! Moving in & around Gangtok can be either through walk or a taxi. You will find drug rehabilitation centres and hoardings for the prevention of AIDS in every alternative building! I found people celebrating the victory of a local party – The Sikkim Democratic Party. Hindi and Nepali are widely spoken and the Nepali cine hero is Utham Pratham (not sure of his surname :p)

Natula! ‘The Natula pass’ is “Heaven on Earth!”. It is the border between India and Tibet and you will need to obtain prior permission to visit the place. Two passport size photographs & photo identity cards are required for the process. It is a 4 hour drive from Gangtok . It is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. Mid-may is the time our soldiers reach the Natula border and they have to stay there for two and a half years!!! The exclamation is because of the climate! May17th noon (peak summer) I was there and the temperature recorded -2 degree Celsius! Imagine in winter! Soft and tidy snow, amazing scenery, hot buns and the coffee shop named 14,000 are the highlights of the place. The Natula pass is located 14,350 feet (approx) above sea level! (omg! I was there!).

There are a lot of shops that offer fur-coats and boots to enable you withstand the temperature of the Natula.

The view of Tsmogo Lake is breathtaking!! Yak there, takes us around the lake for sirf 350 bucks and it is worth the ride!

I happened to meet the little monks in a Buddhist monastery. They are supposed to eat raw fruits & vegetables and survive without sweaters, shawls & their parents for months together! I met a granny in Ganeshtok temple wearing a typical Tibetan dress and I wanted to take a snap of her. Guess what?! She told me she can pose only if I give her 500 bucks!! I had to take a long shot without her knowledge!

Unique bright-coloured flowers are found all over Gangtok. M.G.Marg (Mahatma Gandhi Marg) is the central shopping zone of Gangtok and it is a “spit-free, litter-free" zone which for its successful maintenance deserves a big round of applause.

Aritar Lake is another fascinating location and not many people know the place. A day or two spent in the DOK bungalow there can be a chilling experience! The Banjhakri falls are not to be forgotten.

Altogether, snow-perched peaks, ultimate & unmatched scenery, foggy & sweet-smelling streets, dark fresh-water lakes, orchid nurseries and cute kids make you feel like you live in a fairyland!

Getting there: Nearest airport is Bagdodra. Gangtok is a 4 hour drive from there with the Teesta River accompanying you all along. Pre-paid and post-paid taxis are available right from the airport. Nearest railway station is New Jalpaiguri. The drive to Gangtok through Siliguri is quite amusing exclusively because of the funny and interesting hoardings and sign-boards that read:

“IF YOU SLEEP, YOUR FAMILY WILL WEEP”,

“WELCOME TO SERENE SULTRY SIKKIM”,

“DRIVE LIKE HELL AND YOU WILL BE THERE”,

“ANYTIME IS SAFETY TIME” etc.

Reflections

Japan Trip :)

My first Blog - Gangtok!