In Japan (and in the rest of Asia and Latin America) one realises how low is the service level one is used to in Europe. Whereas in Spain or France a waiter will treat you with contempt and in the Nordic countries you will be challenged to find one, in Japan they will be tripping over each other to serve you. I hadn't noticed how much I missed not needing to wait ages to get the attention of restaurant personnel.
Category Archives: in english
Globalisation in music
On the way back from Japan, surprisingly I didn't listen to my iPod music. I found out that Lufthansa has 30 different radio channels with different music from all over the world, and just spent my 10 hours listening to what they had to offer. Indian, Arabic, Italian, Tamil, French, Korean, Japanese, Mandarin, Hispanoamericana, Brazilian & African channels further enforced the point that international music is not only about the typical Anglo-saxon pop and rock charts.
I even found about a Berliner radio station, Radiomultikulti, that broadcasts music from all over the world. However, I'm not sure they'd have the Japanese punk band I just discovered in Tower Records Shibuya.
Divided Belgium?
You may have read in the news that Belgium, where I lived last year, is undergoing a serious government crisis that is making people think about its survival as a single political entity. I have to say I am rather saddened by this development, but not necessarily suprised.
For starters, the cultural differences between Flemings and Walloons are not only about language, and there is deep historical resentment as well.
Furthermore, Belgians have traditionally had a very weak nationalism. As one of my teachers once said, Belgium is an idea. Since for many other peoples their country is a feeling I truly wonder what will Belgians feel if their country ceases to be.
And the quintessential question, that has been debated over and over again in numerous cafes gains more relevance. Suppose Flanders and Wallonia do split. What about Brussels?
QotD: World’s Best Beer
What is the best beer on planet Earth?
Submitted by Remmy Van Hornie.
The one you prefer. My posts on beer can give a better idea on my preferences.
If you want a quick summary on my suggestions for Belgian beer, they would be the following:
- If you like dark ales, nothing I've tasted beats Chimay Brune.
- If you're more into clearer brews, I'd say Brigand Blonde is quite good (but you'll probably find Leffe Blonde or Duvel more easily).
- If you would like to taste fruity beers, Special St. Louis Kriek or Timmermans Kriek are quite nice.
- On the other hand, if the taste of Brussels is what you have in mind, Timmermans Gueuze Lambic is what you seek.
- And for white wheat beer, I still prefer Hoegaarden.
When the sun has set
There is still a little bit of light. I really tried to get this photo right, and I’m pleased with the result.
Tokyo reminds me of Blade Runner, even though I know the design process went the other way around.
Globalised table
Had a business lunch yesterday here in Tokyo. During the conversation, I realised that over half of the people at the table were living in a different country where they were born: Irish, Finnish, Peruvians in Japan, Germans in China, Mexicans in Finland, etc… Those who were not living "abroad" at the moment definitely had extensive international experience.
Certainly interesting, especially since for us it was completely normal.
Dispatch from Tokyo: Fashion
As I mentioned yesterday and you may know, Tokyo fashion is a little bit wild. Even when it isn’t, it is certainly different as the photo to the side shows.
This looks I’m sure wouldn’t work in Europe, it’s too cold and European women don’t seem to like that kind of feminity. I don’t think it would work in Latin America either, because a woman would wear a skirt instead. Only in Japan.
Dispatch from Tokyo
After around 14 months, I’m back in Japan, but this time is not on pleasure. Funnily enough, I still feel rather comfortable here as I’m also from the big city.
A couple of things that I have noticed (relevant or not) below:
* The current fashionable look for ~18 year old women is small shorts with long tights. Wouldn’t work in Finland.
* There seems to be much more contacts between Japan and China. I met in the plane a Japanese woman who is married to a Chinese man and lives in Shanghai. I’m also watching a Chinese movie subtitled in Japanese at the moment.
* Tokyo has always felt a little futuristic. Both times I’ve been here it feels I’m experiencing the future of other cities. Definitely I would like more parts of Mexico City to look like this, not just Santa Fé.
* Surprisingly enough, I feel more comfortable here than in Paris or London (even though here I don’t speak the language) only because people are more polite. The service level is also excellent compared to what you get in Europe.
* Even coming from an expensive Nordic country, shopping here is pricey.
Time to sleep for me now.
Your eyes can deceive you, don’t trust them
Obi's line, also mirrored in the song "There's nothing as it seems" by Pearl Jam, would very well describe something that happened to me on the way to Tokyo.
I saw a big group of Japanese senior citizens boarding the plane and immediately started thinking about writing a post about the pending Japanese demographic timebomb (and the fact that it's obvious these guys grew up cherishing the American way of life judging by how they dress). Fortunately I didn't, as their guide sat next to me. A very nice Japanese lady, who is married to a Chinese and lives in Shanghai, she explained to me that these people, all over 70, just came back from an athletics meet in Italy, where they won a few medals in for example the 10,000 metres race against peers from all over the world. They most probably are in better condition than me.
"El león no es como lo pintan"
Planes again
I'll be back in writing mode when I land in my final destination. In the meantime, dear reader, you can check out my previous posts.