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AskSN: When have you taken the road less take ?
351 sats \ 13 comments \ @cryotosensei 12 Oct 2024 AskSN
Robert Frost’s poem needs no introduction:
I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference.
When have you taken the path less taken, in life or during travelling? Did it bring forth a unique perspective? Do you regret it?
Personally, when it comes to travelling in Kagoshima, most people flock to Sakurajima, an active volcano. But I willingly undertook a long bus ride to visit the Chiran War Museum because I wanted to understand more about the kamikaze pilots.
I really enjoyed this war museum because I visited it again when I went to Kagoshima a few years later with my wife. I ditched her so that I could partake in the poignant atmosphere one more time. (She went shoppping.)
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96 sats \ 1 reply \ @south_korea_ln 12 Oct 2024
I wanted to understand more about the kamikaze pilots.
I'm curious to hear what you learnt about them... Must be fascinating indeed, understand why people would go as far as killing themselves (presuming that's what kamikaze pilots did).
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0 sats \ 0 replies \ @cryotosensei OP 13 Oct 2024
We got to see the pilots’ personal letters as well as photos before they embarked on their fateful journey. I think what struck me most was kanji characters that declared their desire to sink the enemy ships: 沉. It was a rousing war cry, but underneath the lines stayed hidden their true feelings. I’m sure some were raring to embark on the mission because they believed in the sacrifice, but surely others must have felt hesitant and apprehensive. Nonetheless, they undertook the same mission. Because of peer pressure? Because they would rather die than go AWOL? Because the societal climate made it easier for them to conform rather than defy the order to be a kamikaze pilot. It was a lot of probing and soul-searching for me.
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72 sats \ 5 replies \ @Rothbardian_fanatic 13 Oct 2024
I took the road less traveled after I almost killed myself in a motorcycle accident when I was in high school. I spent 3 weeks in the hospital, first for a kidney injury and after they could move me around, for a head injury. After high school I decided to spend my time doing new things, like traveling around the world and such. I may not have become wealthy in terms of money, but I would never trade my experiences and memories for anything in the world, including money. I am happy with my choice. What about your?
It also brought me to Japan for ten years.
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10 sats \ 4 replies \ @cryotosensei OP 13 Oct 2024
My career took a back seat because I signed up for the Japan Exchange Teaching program and had to restart all over again when I returned to my home country. I have zero regrets because those two years were the best of my life - spent meaningfully immersing in a different culture and visiting many of its attractions. Though it’s hard to stay grounded when my peers are now in managerial positions and I am still trying to work my way up. Haha.
But ya those memories are irreplaceable.
Woah! 10 years?! Which prefecture were you based in? Did you teach English?
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24 sats \ 3 replies \ @Rothbardian_fanatic 13 Oct 2024
I taught English in Shizuoka Prefecture to kids 3-years-old to 80-year-old folks and everyone between. I spent time with martial arts while I was there, too. When I got back to my home country, I really could not have cared less about my position because I had saved enough money to buy a home outright for cash. That made life much easier.
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10 sats \ 2 replies \ @cryotosensei OP 13 Oct 2024
Cool! I also paid for my wedding with the savings I had accumulated from working there for two years. Japan isn’t as expensive as many people fear.
I am scheduled to hold a Japanese food immersion lesson after the final year exams. Any interesting insights to share about unagi in Hanamatsu?
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24 sats \ 1 reply \ @Rothbardian_fanatic 13 Oct 2024
It is delicious, but I liked going to a small shop in Shizuoka-shi (premed with Shimizu). Japan is really only expensive if you are using resources from the outside. When I landed there, I stayed at the cheapest hostel in Tokyo that I could. I ran out of money within two weeks. I HAD to find work as soon as possible, and I did. From then on, I was living within the economy, which, as you said, was very reasonable. The only time I really had problems was when I had to come up with a huge amount of money. I was going to the local bakeries and buying their pan-mimi for 50yen for a huge bag that would last me for about 20 meals. Yep, ai learned about the bread and water diet real quick, up front and personal. The only respite was when my students felt the need to take me to lunch or dinner.
Unagi anywhere in Shizuoka prefecture is really good. Yaizu, near Shizuoka, is a fishing town that had really excellent unagi. I only ate it once in Hamamatsu and it was good, but I liked Yaizu and Shizuoka product better (I also ate it many more times).
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0 sats \ 0 replies \ @cryotosensei OP 13 Oct 2024
Thank you for the insider knowledge. Have never heard of Yaizu before. Hope to go there some day n see if the unagi there is superior to the one I ate in Yanagawa, Fukuoka
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24 sats \ 1 reply \ @User21000000 12 Oct 2024
The road less travelled can make a grand adventure
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0 sats \ 0 replies \ @cryotosensei OP 13 Oct 2024
I love adventures xP
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24 sats \ 2 replies \ @Satosora 13 Oct 2024
That flag...what a beautiful sight.
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20 sats \ 1 reply \ @cryotosensei OP 13 Oct 2024
Do you feel more Japanese American or American Japanese?
I don’t feel an affiliation with China but I consider myself Chinese Singaporean because Mandarin is my emotive language
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0 sats \ 0 replies \ @Satosora 13 Oct 2024
Why do l have to label it? I feel japanese and american, depending on what l am doing and feeling at the moment.
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