Tag Archives: japan

in english

Henna “tattoos” and Asian tourists in Mexico

Japanese travel agent in Cancún
Japanese travel agent in Cancún

During my travels in Mexico I have found, surprisingly, many Chinese; Korean and Japanese tourists in the country and travel agencies specialising in catering to their tastes.  The diversification of the origin of tourists is very important for the prospects of the local tourism industry since most come from the United States and the weakness of the U.S. Dollar means an overseas vacation is not as enticing as it once was.

I have also found that henna body art has become fashionable in Mexico as well, as I found it advertised in Acapulco.

Mexicans are also part of globalisation, whether they want it or not.

in english

Service levels

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.

in english

Globalised table

Rice
Rice

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.

in english

Dispatch from Tokyo: Fashion


Tokyo fashion
Originally uploaded by Chiva Congelado

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.

in english

Dispatch from Tokyo


Big city feeling
Originally uploaded by Chiva Congelado

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.

in english

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"

in english

These days, keeping in touch is not so hard

I was reading Batz's Journal, where she comments her views on leaving Barcelona after being there two years, and going away from those friendships she has formed during her time there.

I started thinking that in fact these days it's not so difficult to keep in touch with those you care about.  With e-mail, messenger, skype, blogging and of course text messaging and voice telephony you can still keep in touch.  These days video conferencing is not so difficult either, as many chatting programs have integrated it.

Around a year ago, I was in a very particular situation.  My parents were living in Brazil, my sister in Mexico, my fiancée in Japan and I was in Finland, so there was a minimum of 8,000 km between one member of the family and the next.  Keeping in mind the time differences, these utilities were a godsend, and now that I'm in Belgium I use them to keep in touch, as my friends and family are scattered all over the place.

This is much better than the situation in the Middle Ages, or even 30 years ago.  In that sense I'm glad I was born at a time when this is possible.

em português, in english

3 films by Mexican directors nominated for the Oscars

Babel received 7 nominations (including best director and best picture), El Laberinto del Fauno (Pan’s Labrynth) 6 (including best foreign language film) and Children of Men 3.

I found the best quote about the three movies in a Brazilian website:

“Del Toro, Alejando González Iñárritu and Alfonso Cuarón are examples of movie makers that never stopped giving their own touch to their productions, regardless of being tied to big studios. Coincidentially, or not, all three are nationals of a country that still today is treated with disdain by the Americans. The prejudices won’t end any time soon, but their talent and their success is the best answer.”

In other news, the Spanish are also happy. Penélope Cruz is also nominated for best actress, some Spanish documentaries are in the fray, and the possible success of Laberinto del Fauno (Pan’s Labrynth) is also theirs, as a big part of the staff and all of the actors are Spanish.

Gustavo Santaolalla from Argentina created the score for Babel, and he’s also in the running.

I hope they all win, but of course the competion is tough.