The awesome sweater I picked up for cheap during lunch hour at my university.

I suddenly realized this morning that this time a couple of years ago, I was studying at 京都精華大学 (Kyoto Seika University). I’m in the midst of reading more books for review, so I thought I would take a pleasant stroll down memory lane. When I talk about shopping, I don’t mean shopping in a mall or an arcade (though I assure you, I did plenty of that) — I’m talking about having my lunch at the college cafeteria and then rushing out to the quad. On sunny days, many students will tote about a plastic picnic blanket and spread their very gently used clothes, CDs, and other fun things. And so my friends and I would rejoice more than usual when the sun was shining. We’d stuff curry and karaage and udon in our faces quickly, and then march outside before the other students could look at the items.

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As I’ve mentioned in previous postings, most people know Japan because of its infectious pop culture, infamous inner-city nightlife, its delectable eating habits, and a sense of unity to the land and its people. There is a wonderful sense of community in most places in Japan, especially in those locations where you don’t get lost in the hustle and bustle of never-ending traffic and fast food. Yes, the sense of togetherness in Japan can truly be a sight to behold. So much so, that one of the most popular activities in Japan is for people to get together, strip their clothes down to the absolutely bare nothing, and get into a hot spring. If that doesn’t scream community and togetherness, I don’t know what does.

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