ON A SCALE OF ON-CLOUD-9 TO UGLY-CRYING...Since we knew this was going to be a big culture shock, we did as much research beforehand to prepare us, which I believe helped alleviate my anxiety.
If my husband is calm, I have my anxiety much more under control. If he's stressed or frustrated, I tend to kick my anxiety to the back seat for a bit and do my best to be his rock. Japan was the first place that made me slow down. I don't know if it was the organization of everything they do, how quiet & respectful everyone is of others, or travelling by train and having no choice but, to relax, but it changed my view on how we should travel. I never felt unsafe, even when my husband got bored watching me circle round and round the stationery floor (yes, entire floor) of Tokyu Hands and said he would go in search for a place that sold cigars and where he could catch a pub playing a rugby match. With the store's Wi-Fi, he sent me his location and I easily found my way. Once there, it took me a second to realize I didn't look over my shoulder or worry I'd get lost. The language barrier was probably one of the biggest challenges we had, but everyone was polite and kind, pointing us in the right direction or going as far as leaving the train platform and bringing us to the correct one, perhaps missing the next train just to help us. Even in the biggest, busiest crowds, I remained unfazed, smiling back at the shop keepers or restaurant staff. |