In my head, I often imagine myself as a water. Water cannot be compressed, as you know, it wears away a stone, and when it meets an obstacle, the water flow bends around it.
I started traveling 3 years ago and I can't boast of anything to give you a WOW effect. I also cannot say that my travels were unique. They were just very budgetary, with a backpack and long-awaited. 11 month of hard work and 1 month took off. It was a triumph of the will of a particular person and the desire to change. There were people who envied me that I was able to fulfill their dream. I said that they can do it too, just, they need to sacrifice something for this, but they did not hear me.
I have not seen much shit in my life, but nevertheless, caring for a sick mother for a long time, her pain, suffering and inability to go out, tempered my character. She died immediately after my return from Japan in 2018. On my hands. I have done everything I can, but not enough to keep her alive.
Honestly, it was the best outcome for her. We were ready for this moment. But in fact, no person can be one hundred percent ready for the death of a loved one. The man received relief from suffering, although, as a loving son, I would like her to live. No matter how terrible life is, we do not know what awaits us after death. Love Life! You don't have to trade your life for shit, because tomorrow you can sit in a cage until the end of your days.
Now you know my motivation and the reason why the traveler cannot stop. Something really important must happen in life that will enter the heart with a stake and remain there until you find peace. When you arrive in Japan, a film crew from local TV will meet you at the airport. Three times I flew to Japan and gave interviews three times. TV team asked the same question again and again "Why did you come to Japan?"
Of course, my spoken English doesn't give me the opportunity to answer honestly. And who cares? The first time I said that I wanted to get rid of mental ill. The second time I told them I wanted to ride a small bike and collected stories. The third time I lied and said that I had come to look for a wife. Each time I saw interest in the eyes of journalists, but I never saw a story about myself on the air. They never called back, did not answer on letters. It was a game. We Russians are not used to throwing words, so I naively believed that an invitation to dinner is really an invitation to dinner, and not a sweet lie to decorate the word NO. Ha-ha, what a jerk I was…
It can be rude, but it was grown up not in empty space. We have faith in words not because we are stupid and naive. In the Siberian taiga, forests of Karelia or the Caucasus mountains, humans are part of the food chain of nature. The value of the word at the genetic level. Therefore, when you find yourself in Russia and you are offered to do something, know that these are not empty words. This is a call to direct action and must be answered with a DIRECT response! Not with corporate or polite bullshit. Yes is mean Yes nor No is mean No. Not the “let discuss about that at the dinner later”.
Japan is renowned for its business card exchange culture. During my visits to the land of the rising sun, I have accumulated an impressive collection of business cards from people of different professions. Through experience I have learned how to separate empty interest from the real interest. However, I think that the corporate Japanese world has not understood that when a russian guy says something, it is not just empty words that for fill the gap.
Be polite and be straight.
This is the first time to write a comment here. I have been watching your Youtube channel and reading blog for a while. As a Japanese person, it is interesting to read your take on us. I must agree a lot of polite words come out of our mouth are just filling space. Please keep up the good work. I hope you come to Japan and further again soon.