Nagomi Visit Guest Story: "so both cultures use it to express a moment of ending and transition into something new."

2024-04-18

[My hosts] were extremely friendly! They both studied in the U.S. and have traveled extensively, so they had lots of stories to share about their adventures worldwide. [My host] was incredibly kind. She picked us up from the station and then showed us around the park near her home before returning to cook dinner with us.

We shared stories from our lives and travels, talked about Japanese TV shows that we have watched and American shows that they have watched, and learned more about what it’s like to raise a family in Japan. [MY host] told us of his job working for the Ministry of transportation, and the projects he is working on to improve public transit for bicyclists, using ideas from places like Portland where we are from!

When we walked through the park, the song “Auld Lang Syne” began to play. [My host] explained it played when the park was closing and sometimes at graduations, which was an interesting surprise to us! We explained to [my host] that it is an American tradition to sing at New Year’s Eve, so both cultures use it to express a moment of ending and transition into something new.

[My host] made us some delicious okonomiyaki and share some sake with us as well, all very tasty and fun to watch and help her cook.

I certainly would like to! [My host] has shared with us some ideas of things to do on the rest of our trip, and we requested that if their family should ever travel to the West Coast of the U.S., to let us know so we can provide them dinner in exchange!

My mother visited Japan a few months before me, and heartily recommended the experience. I don’t know where she learned of it, but I believe from a friend. So I will certainly suggest trying it to any friends of mine who visit!