Japanese locals are usually very quiet and space-conscious, so it was a nice cultural icebreaker exploring a rowdy, crowded place where you can get good deals for clothes, shoes, souvenirs, street food and fresh sea goodies (a bag of maybe 6 big pieces of juicy salmon costs only 500 Japanese Yen). My eyes were wide open as I walked from stall to stall. I was especially impressed to see fruits on sticks (for at least 100 Japanese yen) as street food. I also had the best matcha ice cream to date. Of course, I tried eating as much as my pocket could handle it. Some vendors even made efforts to speak in Filipino! How refreshing.
Tokyo is actually known for having a lot of museums, and my first museum experience was at the Tokyo Metropolitan Museum, which features the British Museum's "A History of the World in 100 Objects". It was very interesting as the objects wove a story of how human creativity and innovation developed over 2 million years. What was more interesting, however, was the experience going through the whole museum with Japanese locals.
It was a Saturday, and the exhibition is only until the 28th, so it was expected that the place will be packed. And indeed it was, but it wasn't bothersome at all.
People were actually lined up in a very organized manner, going from one object to another. Nobody asked them to, they just did, and it was a very effective system. Everybody talked in hushed voices and patiently waited for their turn to view. To add, before entering the exhibition room, we were told that taking photos is not allowed inside, and I swear, I did not see a single soul defy this rule. There were even kids inside the museum and they weren't unruly or restless at all. The museum offers drawing boards to children so they can walk around to doodle the things that they see.
I am utterly amazed by the Japanese people's discipline and courtesy. Here, they stop and patiently wait for you to take a photo, voluntarily move to a different seat if your friend is sitting next to them so that you two will be seated together, keep their phones on silent mode so as not to bother others, wear masks when they have a simple cold or cough, follow traffic rules such as slowing down when there is a pedestrian lane, and always bear in mind to say polite words like "I'm sorry" (gomenasai), "excuse me" (sumimasen), "please" (onegaishimasu) and "thank you" (arigatou gozaimasu). I could go on and on but I'll probably just write more about this as we go along.
On a final note, as we embark on another busy week ahead, let's not forget to stop and be considerate to others. There are always little things that you can do to make this world a happier place. Goodnight, everyone. :)
For what is each day but a series of conflicts between the right way and the easy way. ... You're in a fight against an opponent you can't see. Oh, but you can feel him on your heels can't you? Feel him breathing down your neck. You know what that is? That's you... Your fears, your doubts and insecurities all lined up like a firing squad ready to shoot you out of the sky, but don't lose heart. While they aren't easily defeated, they are far from invincible. Remember this is the grind, the Battle Royale between you and your mind, your body and the devil on your shoulder who's telling you that this is just a game, this is just a waste of time, your opponents are stronger than you. Drown out the voice of uncertainty with the sound of your own heartbeat. Burn away your self doubt with the fire that's beneath you. Remember what you're fighting for.
