Society of respect

I’m in awe of this country

The people line up to enter for the train. The bikes line up to cross the sidewalk (yes,  people come via bike) and when they get to their destination,  they don’t lock their bikes up. They don’t need to because crime is extremely low here.

They don’t have paper towels or trash cans anywhere. They expect you to carry it home,  and people do. Because they respect each other. It’s the missing ingredient in western culture. Their bathrooms are clean,  even in metro stations, the toilets all have bidets and are heated and amazing, even on the trains. Don’t get me wrong,  I’m sure they have their issues,  but everything they do is done with great care for themselves and others.  They aren’t always trying to make a buck. It makes my heart jump at the thought of what our lives could be like if we treated everyone as human? I might take on the practice of bowing.

Alas,  the trip is not without is foibles, but has been amazing overall.  There is the problem of pain though, which is a constant in my life but has been exacerbated from lugging a suitcase to the opposite side of the world.  It can put a but if a damper on the trip, but I’m carrying on a i would have,  just a little slower.  I don’t exercise when traveling anymore; I used to try to run once in each new city.  My stroke-hip and knee have been aching to the point where it wakes me up multiple times at night.  Pretty annoying.  Alas,  I’m getting up everyday and doing push-ups and planking at least, before all the walking.

We have walked a TON! At least 20,000 steps everyday.  Some days close to 30k. With that amount of pavement pounding,  pain is inevitable.  And it still sucks lol.

Now we’re nearing the end of our trip,  on the bullet train from Kyoto to Tokyo,  hoping to catch a closer glimpse of Mt fuji. I’m already ruminating about everything that has to happen upon return. Work,  a ct scan,  blood work,  mri, appointment in Portland with the new endocrinologist, a quick trip to Seattle for a conference about my autoimmune, oncologist appt,  and then a less-than-24- hour-trip to Austin for the cardiologist and rheumatologist.

Ugh. 

I’m lamenting the hassle of it all. I don’t care about being pointed and prodded, I just don’t want to keep track of it all. I also don’t want to deal with my new insurance,  as i know I’ll be dropping 5k before March.

But, it is what is it and I’m using to be here now and enjoy the last 24 hours or so that we have in Tokyo.  that’s all I can do, and take each appointment one day at a time. 

I’m in Japan, after all! Every time I say that out loud,  I’m surprised.  And I’m about to experience a 30-hour birthday in which I get to go back in time!

For now,  I’m taking in the culture; including all the temples,  shrines,  gardens, the Michelin star restaurant we are at last night,  a tea ceremony, and the food. I also rubbed a sacred diety that is supposed to being healing. I’m fact,  all three of us touched and then rubbed me all over, so fingers crossed!