Esperanto-USA

Chi tiu blogero estis verkita de mia filino. Mi esperas ke mi rajtas meti ghin chi tie.
Mar

HUMILITY IN JAPAN

This nation (Japan), as a whole, certainly has this concept down. Much different from the "to each their own" philosophy held by the general population of the United States and a bit of a cultural shock, to be completely truthful.

Today (being a few days ago when I had first arrived in Ranzan), I went exploring this little town near Tokyo as my Mom embarked on a Japan 101 course being taught in Esperanto, and out of range of my understanding. So instead, I went to go get pleasantly lost behind my camera lens among the greenery, bamboo, kio ponds and mossy trails.

Upon taking a more industrial path, I came across this candy shop with an extremely benevolent woman busying herself behind the counter. I timidly made my way around the plethora of foods I have never seen before, wrapped up in packaging I could only dream to one day be able to decipher. It did not take long for her to realize one thing about me as she tried desperately to explain that the beautiful paper wall hanging with purple flowers I was interested in purchasing was in fact a store decoration... oops (and let me add, this countries ability to metamorphosis paper the way the do will never cease to amaze me).

Then in another fugal attempt to communicate with me, rattling off some combination of words and gestures, she presented me with a token of humility and kindness in the form of 3 book marks with origami geishas on them. I am sure there is much more to this hidden in her explanation which is forever lost in translation. Gratefully, I accepted the gifts as I continued my search for some sweets.

The many laughs she shared as another woman came into the store. With a rapid trill of syllables mixed with many twitters and giggles, I could only guess that the other woman was being brought up to speed. Soon both women continued to make their efforts clear that they wished whole heartily to be able to converse with me. The twittering continued... but with a smiling face, the store owner gestured for me to take a seat. Perhaps to wait for her to finish the woman’s order I thought. But soon the other woman took a seat next to me, and before I knew it I was being served some green tea. (First the bookmarks and then tea... I couldn't decline if I wanted to...)

I clutched my Japanese phrase book/2000 word dictionary. How silly I must have been perceived, desperately flipping through my only bridge between our language, our cultures, our worlds. How do I say “Nice to meet you”? How do I say “I am from the US”? How do I say “No more tea, please”? as she poured me a third glass.

Gomen nasai, wakarimasen. Ni hon go gaha nase masen. Sorry, I don't understand, I don't speak Japanese. Domo arigato gosaimasu. Thank you so much... as I retreated behind my book again to take another stab at the maintaining some sort of coherent conversation.

Unfortunately, the phrase book didn't have translations for any responses to common questions they posed, so it turned into a one way conversation, but in good standing at the very least.

Still the women continued their beautiful nature as I saw the second women going to the counter, make a quick exchange with the owner, then pushing a jello cup with fruit to me (which has got to be one of the best things I've ever tasted). “Arigato!”... I got that word down pat. Without the words to decline, or to even be sure that it was a gift, I accepted the third gesture of hospitality... truly priceless. Amazing... simply amazing... as I finally found my next chosen phrases in that silly book of mine...Sayonara

As I left I couldn't help but think that the word “Arigato” just does not do justice to the true measure of gratitude I would have wished to express.

Crystal Hoshiko Loutzenhiser Cárdenas

NOTO EL FIERA PANJO:
Antau ol ni foriris Ranzan, mia filino kaj mi vizitis tiun vendejon. Mi volis konatighi kun la "dolchajh-virino". Mi volis danki shin, per mia baza japanlingva nivelo, pro shia afableco.