Japan after 3 Months: My Reflections

As a follow from my 5-part series on Japan and a mini addition showcasing the UAE, I realised that I was much more capable than I thought, as I could handle my own when in a stressful situation, due to my linguistic prowess. Despite this feat, however, I was left immensely drained, as I had to deal with translating orders, asking for specific items, and just general amenities, as I was the only one of the two of us who spoke intermediate Japanese and beginner Arabic (despite my Arabic being limited to just hello, goodbye and thank you).

This, as one might imagine, wasn't the easiest thing to reconcile, as I had to switch between English to communicate with my father, and Japanese, for all the reasons stated above.

Aside from those initial struggles, I'd managed to realise that I was able to do all that by myself which was a massive achievement. I now realise that I was denying that I had all this hidden talent I had squandered due to one reason or another. It'd be easy to write it off as my trauma trying to distract me, or that I could only accept negative praise or criticism.

But that's a story for another time.

See you on the other side.