Originally Posted by anikuma
the whole pain thing and many other issues western people have with japan seem to stem from Zen Budishm, and the hodge podge mixture of other faiths
I vote for the hodge podge part. There is a simple patience in Zen Buddhism (the aforementioned GAMAN), but Japanese sometimes go out of their way to feel pain (if it hurts, it must be good for you). Even the Japanese admit that they like standing in long lines...
And, anikuma, you are getting more of the "real deal". Everything in Tokyo is schizophrenic. I only get the pure unadulterated weirdness when I visit my in-laws out in the mountains of Gumma, but in some ways, I like it better.
defiantely a funny country, nice to stay here for awhile, but i couldn't bring myself to raise a family here.
I suppose that if I really wanted to settle here, I could, but I would do it different. I would probably not live near Shinjuku where I do now and I would have to get car only so I could get my bike out into the country.
Right now, I just look forward next year when I can enjoy the SoCal weather.
- Jeff