After spending the vast majority of the winter months that I have had a chance to participate in exceptionally harsh environments, I have to say that the weather here in Japan is throwing me for a bit of a loop. Obviously, there is a pretty wide range of possible climates in Japan, everything from arctic to tropical ... but for me, it is a bit of a new experience.
Today is December the 24th and the temperature has not been below 45 degrees ... not even once. And 45 is a bit of a rarity ... most days it is pleasant during the day and at night, you can get the crisp air that I have become accustomed to in earlier months like September back home.
Because of this effect, I find it impossible to discern what season it is ... for one thing, time has seemingly gone into warp speed ... as I have now been here for 2 months, but it feels like I only left yesterday. Additionally, with the weather not cooperating I still feel like it is the fall ... not like it is Christmas Eve ... I will be honest that the effect is somewhat un-nerving.
In Japan, I was expecting that there wouldn't be that much of a deal made out of the christmas season, but it seems that the Japanese embrace it almost as we do. All of the streets are adorned with lights and other decorations. They play Christmas music in the stores, and also ... they have all kinds of sales and special Christmas advertisements ... just like home. If anything, the season appears to start earlier here than it does in the US, which I find hard to believe.
Of course, in Japan, Christmas is just like any other day of the year. It isn't a holiday in the sense that you get to stay home from work, but there are parties and Christmas dinners, and obviously you exchange gifts with those whom you are closest. In some ways it does feel like home. But at the same time it does not ...
The main reason for this is probably that I am very far away from my family and friends, and this time of year is one filled with all manner of family get together, which I always thoroughly enjoy. But there is something else too ... I am not quite sure what it is ...
At any rate, I am looking forward to a relaxing break which I think I have earned, so to everyone I want to extend my wishes for a happy and healthy holiday.
Until next time ...
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2 comments:
Merry Christmas buddy. Just for the record, the temperature here has settled around 45 degrees today (24th), and threatens to get as high as 50. So, maybe we're not so different :-)
As you have experienced friends are never really far from you!
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