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| August 28, 2006 |
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For Starters
Everyone who is in Japan raise your hand. Note: I am typing with one hand. Clever, I know. I am writing to you in my small – but expensive – two hundred thirty square foot apartment which I share with another here in the quiet residential Meguro-ku ward of Tokyo (one of 23 such municipalities). It has been quite a little adventure already, but let’s get ourselves orientated, no?
In the realm of self-evaluation, I love to consider myself the elder statesman of travel – at least for an independently traveling twenty-year-old. While most of my extended absences from my northwest New Jersey home have been wanderings throughout the continental United States, I spent the summer of 2005 in Ghana, West Africa. That was my first attempt at using education as a façade for international travel. Here in Tokyo I am keeping up that very pretext, though the time before I fall asleep is spent dreaming of travel and language, not books and tests.
I leave my homes for places I don’t know, yet I hold two very deep geographical allegiances: one for my Sussex County, NJ childhood home and another to Philadelphia, which I have grown to love through my studies at Temple University. (Of course I am equally enthralled with the country that houses both; please note there is a six foot by four foot American flag tacked up on my kitchen wall even here in Eastern Asia).
All that being said, I am here in one of the world’s largest cities, with a population exceeding eight million in the city’s 23 wards (some small surrounding islands and municipalities are considered part of the Tokyo prefecture and push the city’s population closer to 12 million). Sensibly those figures do not include the nearly 200 students from around the world studying abroad here at Temple University-Japan, including myself, and other international travelers who might label this city a temporary home.
So, like my fellow not-quite-Japanese Japan residents, I have the same seemingly ethereal effect on the country. A presence for sure, but we’re not all quite here, despite what my passport visa and Alien Registration card say.
I am playing loudly the country music of my childhood in an attempt to quiet the jack hammering of a city desperately trying to find more space for growth and usually finding it skyward. The some 620 square kilometers (roughly 385 square miles) that comprise Tokyo’s 23 wards are crammed with buildings, rarely with less than two or three floors. A friend spent the 1,000 yen (nearly $9 USD) to climb the 54 story Mori Tower in the hip international scene of the tourist district Roppongi Hills. Once he came out, all he could say with much efficiency was, “buildings forever.” He noted the playing fields that top some of the structures, to which the denizens of space-strapped cities everywhere are accustomed.
There are differences for sure, but the nascence of my stay has left me noting Tokyo’s similarities to, not its differences from, my beloved United States of America. I am working to settle into these walls which will shelter me for the next four months of my life. But that will be for another time.
Jaa mata!
Christopher
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Posted by Christopher at 03:26 PM | Permalink
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From NJ to Ghana, back to NJ and off to Tokyo...that's some serious mileage. Sounds like you are really taking full advatage of your ability to travel as a student. It seems like you definately are ready to fully experience Tokyo and I can't wait for you to update here with more of the details of your travels.
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Posted by:
Anonymous |
September 8, 2006 06:42 PM
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You old man is proud of you. Have a great trip. Keep your wallet close.
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Posted by:
Bob Hawk |
September 8, 2006 10:03 PM
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hey chris my mom just showed us this site and we wanted to say congrats - this looks so amazing! have a great trip :)
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Posted by:
Sarah Herzenberg & Michele Broesler |
September 8, 2006 11:01 PM
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christopher, I am an old friend of your dad, know him for 20+ years, and remember when you were born. You have before you a unique and exciting opportunity....go for it!! I'll be following your progress. Good Luck.
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Posted by:
Chris Della Bella |
September 9, 2006 04:24 PM
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So I'm thinking you know who this is first of all, without further greetings...but yeah, so I'm sitting with my friend, watching through your videos. Congrats on this privilege and good luck. Have fun "Japan Man." See ya when you're back at Temple (and Candice is behind me, and she says she loves you) [wink, wink]
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Posted by:
The Jeff |
September 10, 2006 12:26 AM
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Chris - Finally checked out the videos so far. Never made it to Japan myself, but remember, I took Japanese for a few years...so any questions let me know! Sayonara
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Posted by:
Dan Eisen |
September 10, 2006 06:41 PM
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Congratulations Chris! Sounds like you're are having the experiences of a life time-all the best!
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Posted by:
Cindy (deVries) Johnson |
September 10, 2006 07:34 PM
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Chris,
I love checking in and seeing of your adventure! Great pictures so far. Looks like you are seeing so much already. Mt Fuji pictures were amazing. Enjoy it all! Be safe - look forward to following your adventures!
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Posted by:
Eileen |
September 13, 2006 02:46 AM
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Hey Chris,
Jeff told me about this. its pretty awesome that you are in Japan and doing this whole thing with NBC, watching all this definitely changed how I used to think of you, lol. Have fun!!!
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Posted by:
Nashely |
September 13, 2006 09:08 PM
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Man good luck in Japan. You are going to destroy in Tokyo. It's a long way from Philly but not as much as you might think in spirit.
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Posted by:
Tom |
September 13, 2006 10:08 PM
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Wow! I am very impressed by it all. I am so proud of you. Stay safe, have fun, love you MOM
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Posted by:
MOM |
September 14, 2006 01:15 AM
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Dude, you beat my friend Jay Riegler out for J.Y.A....he also applied and is a junior at Temple except he is studying in Germany for 11 months...but solid audition tape. Have fun.
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Posted by:
Fred Breeze |
September 14, 2006 03:37 AM
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Konichiwah, Christopher-san. Good to see I made the audition tape. West-side. Cereal spooners for life. 215.
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Posted by:
BigTimbs |
September 14, 2006 04:17 AM
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Christopher, I just wanted to say that you are amazing!! I saw this sight and I officially bugged out.......hope you're having a great time....send the tokyo peeps my love lol ok love/miss you byeeee~
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Posted by:
Kelly Moore |
September 14, 2006 05:19 AM
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Wow. I don’t even know what to say. I just found out what you were up to since we randomly found you in Chicago. I want to wish you luck and congratulate you. I wish I could have some of the adventure your sure to have out there. Enjoy yourself and be safe.
Chris
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Posted by:
Boots |
September 14, 2006 06:28 PM
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Chris, thanks to our fancy little NJ herald site ,I found this link, and your adventures. I had heard youve been busy traveling, but didnt know the full extent. This looks amazing and I am jealous. Hope the road treats you well, I wish you luck and when you find your way back to Newton, Id love to hear your stories.
Peace man be safe,
-Anthony
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Posted by:
Anthony Elvidge |
September 28, 2006 08:59 PM
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my mom informed me (thanks to the herald) about your adventure and i just wanted to say that i hope you have a phenomenal time. be safe and try not to get lost again...denny's.
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Posted by:
kathryn shoup |
September 29, 2006 03:34 AM
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Chris!! What you are doing is amazing and I'm so jealous. I'm glad to see that you are having a blast and spreading your charm around the world. Best wishes - Tammy
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Posted by:
Tammy Mitchell |
September 30, 2006 11:03 PM
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Hey Chris- Just wanted to say congratulations on receiving this great opportunity and I hope you have a fabulous time exploring Japan!
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Posted by:
Jaclyn Coleman |
October 5, 2006 12:52 AM
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Chris...love your work. Keep it up, have an amazing time, and get to know the people! A few drinks can bring anyone closer! Cheers for now!
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Posted by:
Amy McHugh |
October 6, 2006 04:24 AM
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Chris,
Sarah and Michael showed me this site today. I wanted to say congrats and i wish you the best of luch with it.
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Posted by:
Caitlin |
October 8, 2006 06:45 AM
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Hey Chris,
Its Donnell, your old R.A. Good to see you are doing well and taking journalism to an international level. Keep up the good work!
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Posted by:
Donnell Jackson |
November 15, 2006 03:07 PM
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Hey Chris !!!
Hope you're having an awesome time, sounds like alot of fun. Cant wait to har more about Japan...lots of luck to you!
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Posted by:
Lauren Kwiatkowski |
November 21, 2006 04:12 AM
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Hey Christopher~
I'm a friend of one of your cousins and she directed me here. I'm sincerely amazed and impressed by you and everything you've done. You're not much older than I am, and you're so worldly. The whole semester must have been absolutely incredible.
Congrats on the whole experience!
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Posted by:
Snickers |
December 25, 2006 05:25 AM
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hey chris! i know u must be home now but i hope u get this anyway!! i am so excited and proud to know you. i hope u r doing great and thanks for representing us who are still here in good 'ol newton lol. lots of love
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Posted by:
Melissa |
December 31, 2006 12:27 AM
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