On our last day in Japan, we went to the Meiji Jingu Shrine. It was very peaceful, and the scenery around it is much more luscious than it is in California. Before going into the main sanctuary, we were asked to wash our hands, pour water into both hands, rinse our mouths, and wash our hands again. At first, I was a little confused by this, but then I realized it was so we could purify our body and mind before we entered. Once we approached the shrine, I took out a coin to make an offering. The signs gave me instructions once again, this time I threw the coin, bowed twice, clapped my hands twice, then bowed again. I felt good about doing it properly.
On our last day in Japan, we went to the Meiji Jingu Shrine. It was very peaceful, and the scenery around it is much more luscious than it is in California. Before going into the main sanctuary, we were asked to wash our hands, pour water into both hands, rinse our mouths, and wash our hands again. At first, I was a little confused by this, but then I realized it was so we could purify our body and mind before we entered. Once we approached the shrine, I took out a coin to make an offering. The signs gave me instructions once again, this time I threw the coin, bowed twice, clapped my hands twice, then bowed again. I felt good about doing it properly.
Afterwards, we headed to Harajuku to do some shopping. I looked at some of the clothing stores and couldn’t find anything I liked, and the things I did like weren’t in my size. I went on the hunt for a bathroom instead with Iza, who helped me since I did not have Wifi to use my Google Translate. We asked a cashier who then said there was one in a store further down the block, so Iza tried using Google Maps to navigate. That got confusing for a bit and we were running out of time, so I started panicking. I have never been happier to run into Dr. Rooks, who I immediately run up to and ask where the bathroom is. He tells me there was one in this little fast food place, but I had to buy something before I could use it. As Iza and I break off, I run up to the self-ordering kiosk and order a sakura milkshake. Once I get the receipt, I go up to the cashier once again, who finally leads me to a bathroom. We need to be back on the bus by 11:45, and by this point it’s 11:37, so I needed to rush. However, about 5 minutes later, I get some knocks at the door and an attendant with a key trying to get in at my most vulnerable moment. My regrets of not continuing studying the Japanese language sets in once more, as I try to explain I am NOT done and the lady continues trying to get in, probably thinking I am stuck. Unbeknownst to me, you unlock a kind of superhuman strength holding a door closed when your pants are down. I finally finish and exit, where the lady and I exchange pleasantries before I go back downstairs, swipe my shake off the counter, and charge down the pathway at 11:47. Dr. Rooks was waiting for me, and luckily he knew I wasn’t late because of a milkshake.
We have lunch at a place called Sumida. Each of us had a bowl of uncooked food in front of us, and a little fire was under each of our bowls as it slowly cooked. I wasn’t particularly hungry after the milkshake, so I didn’t eat much of the meal. But what I did eat was pretty good, especially the chicken and rice. My other chicken in the slowly-cooking bowl was alright, though I couldn’t get it to fully cook.
We got back on the bus and arrived at the place where we were going to present our Action Plans to everyone. I took pictures as we waited, and I prepared for my turn to talk, which was the “introduction.” Totally flubbed it though because Genelle started talking and Dr. Rooks turned to me and said: “You’re supposed to be up there.” Definitely thought too much about it. I ran up, gave my introduction by reading the script off my phone, and then proceeded to walk back to my chair but I walked the wrong way at first, so I had to go BACK in front to get back to my seat. Those moments last like 5 years, because what was THAT? After Genelle’s group presentation, it was my group’s turn. We had a plan that included a fusion of the organizations on campus and having a “culture night” where we incorporate the dances, food, activities, etc. of other cultures. Exodus pretty much spoke most of the time, since he came up with the concept so he knew more about the first Fusion event. Julia, Juliana, and Jenn were also great at presenting and transitioning from one aspect to another. Everybody in my group is such a great speaker. I can’t speak to groups unless I have a revised script in front of me to make me sound smart, so I’m really lucky to have such intellectual and articulate peers. After all the presentations were done, we got to mingle with the other Sophia students and the Tomodachi Inouye Scholar Alumni. I spoke to one of the alumni, Mason, who was very sweet. I enjoyed his self-deprecating jokes and how reassuring he was when we were talking about my future. He’s only a few years older than me, but he gives me hope for my career and my success.
Once we were done, a bunch of us changed into regular clothes and got back on the bus. I was one of the first ones on the bus, and Julia was sitting on the other side of the bus in the same aisle. I told her to go grab Danny’s Snoopy child, and she stole it from his bag. We knew we were bound to be questioned, so we had to act fast. Dr. Rooks came on the bus before Danny did, and Julia had the idea of giving the Snoopy to him, since Danny wouldn’t question him. Once Danny arrived, he immediately noticed Snoopy was gone. Dr. Rooks even said to us: “You’re gonna get me in trouble.” Everyone on the bus was subjected to rounds of questioning, whilst Julia and I were falling apart laughing in our seats. Gaslighting is really fun, and I think we almost got Danny to believe he left his Snoopy. Dr. Rooks ended up giving him his Snoopy as we made it to the airport.
As we arrived at the airport, we waited for our flight. Iza and I looked for something to eat to pass the time, but we only ended up finding a cafe where we got Frappuccinos. Julia ended up texting me to tell me about how some Sonny Angel toys were in this store called Books and Drugs, so Iza and I went there because my sister wanted those toys really badly. I bought 2 of them and Julia gave me one (shoutout to her). Eventually, we went back to chill with the rest of the group, but we weren’t boarding at the time we thought we were, so we were all pretty confused. That is, until Min-Jung rushed up to tell us we'd been waiting at the wrong gate and we had to run to the right one. That was terrifying, but luckily we made it in time and boarded the plane.
Overall, the last day in Japan was a great one. I had so much fun with the Sophia students and talking with them, and I am genuinely thankful for the time I spent in Japan as well as the time I spent amongst my lovely classmates.
Yours Truly,
Ish
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