What I don't know and what I want to do

after spending more than 40 years in my life, I still don’t know who I am. It seems that I usually portray expected image  of myself as if I’m interested in certain things which attract me. But in reality I came to know that I wasn’t so interested in it. Maybe I just don’t know what I really like or want to have. Maybe lots of information and propaganda influenced me to believe in something if I myself came up with such an idea.
It is really helpful to know what I don’ t know. And Pico Iyer also told me value of life. And I didn’t know that he’s living in Japan, my country which I don’t know much about it.

What do I know about Japan?

I spent most of my life in Japan but I’m losing interest in living in Japan. Some reasons are related with natural environment but it is mostly because I have been fascinated with different culture and life in abroad. I spent more than 8 years in Africa and started living in Middle East. Everyday is full of surprises. Kids are enjoying diverse culture and English medium school might have been providing diverse and rich experiences to my kids which they can’t expect to get in Japanese school.

However, a person like Pico Iyer said life in Japan is full of surprise and discovery. It means there is a lot which I don’t know about Japan. As a Japanese national, I assume that I know about Japan but it might be a huge misunderstanding. Now my decade-long experience of living in abroad may open up my eyes to different cultural and social aspects of Japan to unveil common understanding of Japanese culture and society.

What can I do?

I begin to feel like to show how Japan is for people in the world. If it shed light on completely different aspects of Japan compared with stereotyped and ordinary image of Japan, I think that’s what I like to explore. Last a couple of years, I’ve been thinking of opening up my Airbnb service somewhere in the middle of Japan to provide local tour especially for those who likes nature and culture. It is because I was so fascinated with its nature and culture in Okayama.

There are so many historical monuments here and there. What strikes me was historical stories in the area which is almost like a myth. I think I need to take steps forward to make it happen.

Okayama is the next destination

If you visited Tokyo, Kyoto and Nara, next destination in Japan could be Okayama.It’s between Osaka and Hiroshima.


There are very old traditional temples.


It wasn’t so congested like Kyoto or Nara and you can enjoy its scenery and beauty of nature, too. I think bike might be ideal means to move around this area (this is what I want to provide as optional service at my Airbnb someday).


You can easily extend your trip to Kurashiki which is so beautiful place.


To do something in Okayama, it would be great if I can visit and meet Pico Iyer somewhere in Japan to learn a lot from his spiritual lessons.

Please ask me any question at Ask.fm.

Flying over Syria from Amman to Beirut

Last few weeks, lots of posts on social media and breaking news deals with Aleppo and Syria. It’s been already half a decade after Syria crisis started as a result of Arab Spring.

Though I’m based in Amman, I frequently fly to Beirut. And I just recently came to know that my favorite flight usually pass over Syria. Middle East Airlines, a member of Sky Team, take a route like this.. 


  
You can check the route of your flight at MEA web site.

It is surely safer than taking a route over Israel, especially for a country like Lebanon having Hezbollah seriously fighting against Israel.

However, lay man like me is so scared of any incident due to flying over Syria. I know I may not know anything about Arab but having seen Malaysian flight shot down over Ukraine a few years ago, I am just so scared of this reality.

But people on board seem to be so calm and relaxed as if they are just looking forward to having a nice time in Beirut or going back home sweet home in Lebanon.

Restart: new chapter started

I decided to renew my blog here again.

 

 

#running towards #mom #wadirum #jordan #middleeast #砂漠 の#国立公園 #ワディラム で#母 に駆け寄る#娘

Itsuro Takahashiさん(@takahashi126)が投稿した写真 -2016 11月 17 6:56午後 PST

 

 

#mohammedalaminmosque #nightwalk in #beirut #lebanon #beautiful #city #夕食 後に#歩いて #帰宅 #ベイルート #ダウンタウン にある#モスク が#素敵 #レバノン #中東

Itsuro Takahashiさん(@takahashi126)が投稿した写真 -2016 11月 15 7:49午後 PST

 

 

This is how to #cook #dinner #bedouinwayoflife #bedouin #wadirum #jordan これで#夕食 作るのが#ベドウィン のやり方#ヨルダン #ワディラム #中東

Itsuro Takahashiさん(@takahashi126)が投稿した写真 -2016 11月 6 8:34午前 PST

 

I started are chapter of my life in Middle East. This is completely different world from my life in Africa, where I spent almost 10 years. My new posts should be exciting. And it should be also informative to show real life in Middle East.

It's because there a beach: From landlocked highland in Africa to Barcelona

Why we went to Barcelona? Because there is a beach. Though our first target is seafood, beach is another destination especially kids.

When we had lunch at El Cangrejo Loco at Port Olympic, kids were staring at beach and waves coming and going.

So we stepped in white sand beach.

As our son rushed to seashore, my wife dragged trolly (baggy) and headed for beach.

My son grew up in Tanzania between 3-month and 2-year old, but he doesn't remember what we enjoyed there. He was really excited and screamed like anything when waves come around.

He got wet and took off his shirt.

18-month daughter also had a lot of fun.

We all enjoyed the beach since 2002 in Dar es Salaam.

Tapas is here at Sagardi in Barcelona

Sagardi would be one of the famous destination in Barcelona if you want to enjoy tapas with cava or wines.

Actually it was recommended by our brother in law who used to travel all around Europe. It was early evening, around 4pm, kids were not so hungry but my wife and I were a bit thirsty and wanted to have some snacks. And we were walking nearly Sagardi and so we jumped in.

Once you step in Sagardi, you may say wow unless you used to visit such a bar during your stay in Barcelona. It just looks beautiful and even if you are not so hungry to taste some tapas you may choose some.

Of course with cava.

And my wife also take cava, too.

And my son enjoy chilled water.

Kids can play around in this area as only pedestrians are there. Even if kids chase around each other, there are no bikes and cars threaten them.

 Once kids started playing, they can make friends with other kids around. What a wonderful world this is.

You can find its review at TripAdvisor.

Wine and Cava tasting in Barcelona

We were so lucky. When we were in Barcelona, there was wine and cava tasting event in the middle of town.

You buy a coupon and drink as you like. there were close to 100 shops serving wine, cava, cheese, snacks, sweets, etc.

Though we didn't see much tourists, there must be some business persons looking for nice wines and cavas here. At each shop there are list of wines with its price. But price does not indicate how much Euro you have to pay. It's number of coupon you have to pay.

And I discussed with my wife where to go what to taste.

My son enjoyed pizza.

Nice salami with cava tastes really great.

After spending all coupons, again we bought some and continued drinking..

Kids also enjoy continuing eating snacks and foods.

My wife and I were drunken but enjoyed a lot. There were so many different taste of cava. That's something we really enjoyed.

Locally famous churro near Picasso Museum: Churreria Granja Ruz

If you have a chance to visit Picasso Museum in Barcelona, you would better drop at this small cafe.

It was about 9 am on Thursday, it was bank holiday. Before getting Picasso Museum we dropped here to have a snack in the morning.

It comes like this with chocolate.

It was not so sweet unless you dip it in chocolate. Not only kids but also adults can enjoy this a lot. You can find its review on TripAdvisor, too.