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Rant & Rave
SUMIMASEN! Gomennasai!" was all that came out of my mouth the first couple of weeks after my arrival in Tokyo. Much gained by digging
at her rootsEveryone warned me the city would be crowded, but this didn't prepare me for the reality.
"Am I going to survive?" I asked myself.
I decided to visit Japan as part of a study-abroad program to learn more about my roots. I thought that after four months, I would be more than ready to go home, but as I packed my bags, I realized, not only have I survived, but all I could think about was how much I had grown to love Japan and how much I had wanted to stay.
Tokyo is a great place for young people because there is so much to do and see. I miss the seven-floor department stores and huge game centers. My weekends were never dull, from karaoke to dancing, there was always something to do.
I remember riding the train in the morning, seeing everyone pushing each other to get in and out and hardly having enough room to breathe.
OUTSIDE of Tokyo, there are a lot of historical and religious sites areas like Kyoto and Kamakura. The most moving experience for me was going to Hiroshima and seeing the Peace Park and Museum.
I never felt so torn in my life because although I am Japanese, I am an American whose country was responsible for the devastation. It was so sad to see remnants of the bombing and to imagine what it must have been like to go through something so horrible.
I was able to watch an old woman making kokeshi dolls in Sendai and I was able to climb the steps of Matsumoto Castle too.
And the food was so delicious -- from soba in Nagano to okonomi-yaki in Hiroshima, I ate so many wonderful dishes.
Through school and living with my aunties (who don't speak English), I have been able to improve my Japanese skills. My Grandma loves that I can talk to her in Japanese now, and I'm glad I can do something to make her happy.
Not only did I learn more about Japan's people and the culture there, I learned much about myself as well. If you ever get the opportunity to study abroad, don't let it pass you by.
I'm very thankful my parents allowed me the opportunity to study abroad, and I will never forget the experience. It has truly been a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
Okaasan, otoosan: doomo arigatoo gozaimashita.
Trisha Shinsato is a 1997 Castle High School graduate
who is attending Creighton University.
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Rant & Rave is a Tuesday Star-Bulletin feature
allowing those 12 to 22 to serve up fresh perspectives.
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