O Nippon

A friend I've met in Japan while on JET came to visit SF this week. I am glad to be able to introduce to Mr. R, a sharp Canadian who hates but even more curious about America, to his southern neighbor. He enjoyed visiting New York and shed some of the stereotypes he had held previously, and he is even more impressed by the relaxedness of the Bay Area.

It may never occur to us that guiding out-of-towners in our own city brings to us beauty that would otherwise have gone unrecognized. The Golden Gate Bridge is still the same structure, but seeing it again with someone who is so amazed by his first sighting of it makes for a uniquely satisfying experience.

When the experience of great scenery and fantastic journey is shared, the joy is magnified by the very fact of a communal connection. That is why when Ms. M, Mr. R and I, all former ALTs, had such fond conversations of our time in Japan. Despite the distance or circumstances that may yet to separate us again, we can be reassured that we have already been conjoined by our shared affection.