VS Taiwan

I went to Taiwan last week. It was my first visit of the country. The purpose of this visit was a business, but my personal concern was to know the difference between the main land and Taiwan. As old readers of this blog know, I have been to China some times. It made an image of Chinese people in my mind. Of course, Chinese are not only living in China. There are many types of Chinese. My business trip to Southeastern Asia countries last year was a very good chance for me to know their variety. And, this time, I had a good chance to go to the most closest Chinese speaking country.

Compared with the main land, Taiwan is more closer to Japan. It is not a geophysical meaning but a cultural meaning. Actually there are many people who can undersatnd Japanese. I could find many flyers and signs written in Japanese on the street. And more, I could use Japanese in my company's Taiwan office. I tried to use my instant-learning Chinese, but it was useless. Some colleague are good Japanese speakers and they are good translaters.
I think their personality is similar to Japanese. We Japanese tend to think Chinese are too aggressive, but I didn't have the image in Taiwan. On the opposite, I even thought they are too modest.

One night, I could have a drink with Taiwanese colleague. I heard from Japanese staff that it is rare in Taiwan to go to drink after five with colleague, especially without any special reason. But, luckily I was an foreigner there. I was supposed not to share the culture , so I truly and utterly had no hesitation to ask them for going somewhere with me. I am the man who respect other countries' culture, but the drinking-communication is the exception. I believe in the magical power of drinking. It makes our relationship closer, more creative and productive.
We could enjoy in Japanese style Izakaya restaurant very much. Especially, after I ordred a famous Sake, Dassai, our atmosphere was surprisingly heated up. I understood again that it is Japanese style good culture to pour Sake each other.It has the function to encourage us to drink more and more.

There are many more things to write down here , but I want to write this now. I thought I should study Chinese language. I always use English in my business. But, when working in Aian countries, we will listen to Chinese more or less. English plus Chinese must be needed for me. It's a taugh task, but this business trip motivated me to go to the world created by another language.

VS Passport

Now drinking in a beer bar HOBGOBLIN Shibuya. Checking my passport again and again. Because I will go to Taiwan tomorrow.

One years ago, I also sat down on the chair in this bar, on the day before going to Singapore. I had to be relaxed to calm down my excitement before going abroad. Thank to nice british beer, I could sleep very well, and got up early morning next day.

The next day. On the way to Narita International Airport, I had sat down in the train car. It was the non-stop car to the airport. I would arrive at the airport one hour later. I was completely relaxed in the seat of the car then. I started to check my passport. Many nostalgic memory was contained there. Many stamps reminded me of my trip history.

Oh, I went to China this year. It was my memorial first trip to go abroad. Oh, Vietnam! It was a great businee trip. Australia. I can't forget the special experience there. Looking back to our own history is the treasure. I was very happy on the seat.

By chance, I checked my passport's expire date.

It was 2011.

"Hum. It's 2011. This year is 2014. Ok. I have more three years. Let's go back to my history. China. Great! Vietnam. Fantas...NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO. WHAT'S THE HELL!?"

I couldn't undersatnd what had happened. I was in a panic. But, it seemed to be good that I drunk last night. I could calm down my brain soon, and realised what had happened very logically.

I have the expired passport. And I remembered I renewed my passport two months ago. The living passport is im my house. And, I am in a non-stop train to the airport. Once I reached the airport, I will have no time to go back to my house, because of my flight time.

What kind of miracle would happen was another story. But, I knew then, we can't go to other countries without living passport.

Checking my passport again and again now.

VS 1960's

The title "My 1960's". When I tweeted this book in Twitter, the reply and retweet was the most in my tweets. I was very surprised at it.

The author is Yoshitaka Yamamoto. He was the leader of Tokyo University at the era of 1960's Student Power. Aftet he left the university, he became a teacher of physics. He wrote many academic books but he wouldn't write about the era of Student Power. So, it is a big news that he published the book about the era. However, now he is around 70 years old. Most readers including young publishers don't know him. That's why they can not undersatnd how big the new is. But it is understandable. Even for me, the theme he is writing is an old story. Most people must not have the interest in the era.

I wouldn't think this book will be translated to other languages, because the topic is minor. But, it is worth informing my friends of the existence of this minor book.

VS HOUSE Night

I have two regular bars in Tokyo now : The one is A Sign Bar 2 in Shimokitazawa, and the another one is Tsukinohoeru (Bark toward the Moon.) in Shinjyuku. The former is Okinawa style bar for US army . The latter is the gathering space of cultural people in Golden town. The two places were different communites for me, but last night was the good time mixing them. A DJ friend came to Shimokitazawa with other DJ friends, performed in the bar last night. The event name was HOUSE Night but actually we could listen to many genres of music for three to four hours.

I recognize the work of DJ is mixing music. I can't play DJ, but I prefer the mixing of communities. Can I say I'm DJ?