Japanese experience
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Ritsuban sau la paza comunitatii
Cu ceva timp in urma, in timp ce vizitam Ambasada Romaniei localizata in zona Roppongi a capitalei nippone, trecusem pe langa un post de politie, numit de japonezi, Koban. Mot-à-mot s-ar traduce “cutie de politie”. In fata acestei “cutii”, statea un politist tinand un baston lung in mana. Prima data cand am dat cu ochii de el, mi-am zis ca probabil s-a intimplat ceva in zona respectiva si postul e in stare de alerta. Insa mai tarziu am aflat ca aceasta aparitie face parte din responsabilitatile zilnice a ofiterilor de politie si se numeste Ritsuban. Ritsuban – a sta de paza, origineaza inca din timpul perioadei Meiji (1868-1912), cand Japonia isi dezvolta sistemul modern de politie. Stand de paza si facandu-se vizibili…
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Fifty shades of Onegaishimasu
One day, when taking a stroll together with my husband in a park, we noticed a group of young people. They were perhaps gathering for some kind of event, maybe a dance performance. Bowing to each other they greeted “Konnichiwa. Onegaishimasu”. We overheard this and began discussing how to make an accurate translation in English. Though at a glance it appeared to be very simple to translate, we quickly realized the meaning went deeper. My husband jokingly said “It sounds like fifty shades of Onegaishimasu”. They said “Hello”, then “Onegaishimasu”. So, we came up with few translations of the second word, which was related to that particular situation: Thank you for being here. Let’s have a good…
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My first time
I never thought that one day I will be living and raising my kids in Japan, a country known for its low crime rate, amazing public transportation system, tidy bureaucracy and Sakura flowers. But here I am for already 10 years. When first time I landed in Japan I thought “This is the paradise on earth!”. Everywhere was shiny clean. Children were rolling on the airport and mall floors or streets and parents enjoying the view. Anywhere I turned, everyone was polite, smiling and bowing. What a miracle! Then I arrived at the apartment my husband rented especially for us. Compared to the room I was living back home, this…
