Throughout our stay in Japan I besiged (sp?) my fellow Chiba-ites with movie references. Which is why I find it fitting to end our experience with one last one.
I never got the title Lost in Translation. Didn't give much thought to it really. But as I start to decompress and reflect back on the entire experience think I get it and will attempt to explain.
The primary goal of the JFMF program is to share the culture of Japan with American educators, but in my mind it is also kind of a social experiment. Take a group of 200 people, drop them in a foreign land, provide them with enough structure to give them some purpose and ability to function, then sit back and watch.
Very quickly small groups assembled. In order to create a sense of trust, stories are shared, secrets are told. People you have known only a matter of days are now your bestest friends in your little corner of Japan. Meals are eaten together, social activities are decided as a group, and the bond is strengthened over luggage crisis, extended bus rides, and notes passed during seminars.
Three weeks seems like a long time, but it is over too fast. Soon it is time to say goodbye. You realize, but don't want to accept, that you may never hear from or see these friends again. Emails and phone numbers are exchanged. Invitations are extended, but we are in all likelihood not going to see each other ever again.
One of the final scenes in Lost in Translation shows Bill M. chasing Scarlett J. down a crowded side street then whispering something in her ear. Then he leaves. We never find out what was said. These two characters had explored Tokyo, shared dreams, revealed secrets and he just walks away? Being somewhat of a romantic myself I couldn't believe it would end like this.
But their relationship, just like many forged between the FMFers doesn't translate back in the States. Their relationship was based on their being in Tokyo, together, just like many of ours. I know I will miss my friends and hope that I will hear from them again. But the relationship that was has been Lost in Translation.
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6 comments:
so your friends.... they where single seving friends. like single serving foods and shampoos at hotels.
Hey Court! Colby here. I know it's a long time since Chiba, but you should keep on writing. I like you blog - and not just because I get a lot of the inside jokes.
Japan seems like a long way away, but I have to do that damn follow-on. Do you have the DVD of the Hiroshima survivor? I am trying to chase a copy down.
Thanks,
Any updates in your life?
Colby
hey mrs.corrigan its yone of your students from last year i realy miss being your student
You are making me so sad! Come on by - my classes are pretty small so far, you can probably sneak in and be a freshman for the day. Please come by and say hello if you haven't already.
where is your new class i might go in
Depends - who's asking.
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