So our unlikely year has become even more unlikely (actually it's now much longer than a year) as we have won/been selected/fluked the top prize to work for three months as Travel Volunteers in Japan.
We'll be visiting all 47 prefectures in the country and writing about it every day. You won't find much about it here, though. Nope, now I'm contractually-obliged to put all of my musings here: http://travelvolunteer.net/
Expect less swearing and more positivity. Will still be updating this site occasionally, though, including a post about a recent press trip to Scotland. Look out for that next week.
In the mean time, I strongly advise you to read this, which was written by a friend, is brilliant, and is a big part of the reason I applied for this Japan gig in the first place. Just don't expect me to be so eloquent in the coming months.
We'll be visiting all 47 prefectures in the country and writing about it every day. You won't find much about it here, though. Nope, now I'm contractually-obliged to put all of my musings here: http://travelvolunteer.net/
Expect less swearing and more positivity. Will still be updating this site occasionally, though, including a post about a recent press trip to Scotland. Look out for that next week.
In the mean time, I strongly advise you to read this, which was written by a friend, is brilliant, and is a big part of the reason I applied for this Japan gig in the first place. Just don't expect me to be so eloquent in the coming months.
Hey James and Wee Mo,
ReplyDeleteWe met briefly in Antarctica, unfortunately I had greater interest in the surrounding scenery and wildlife than meeting another couple on the road. We did, however, speak long enough that you told me, and I somehow retained, your blog. I've ravenously enjoyed it. Seriously, your travel writing is poetry, albeit occasionally unnecessarily angry - that's not a slight, it's this raw emotion when traveling that I can relate and helps me savor your journey. Respect.
Anywho, a friend posted a video on Facebook that's haunted me. I'm not easily disturbed, but I felt the need to do something. The video is of a dolphin slaughter in Japan. I've seen "The Cove" and I've caught a couple episodes of Whale Wars, but not I'm not really an activist, and I'm too self-aware to think I'd be inspired to join a movement for longer than two commercial breaks. But this 2 minute video really fucked me up, it was much more raw, graphic, and cruel than anything that I've seen, or hope to see again. I was literally moved to tears, and I suggest that you do not watch it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yFT7d77Eqes
Like it or not, your currently an ambassador for Japan, helping them rebrand a country - the upside, you and your fiancé get bankrolled for 100 days to see an entire country which is awesome - the downside, they're probably picking your brain constantly, asking how Japan can improve its brand in the world. If you're moved by this video, please pass it along to your handlers.
Please explain that most people on this watery planet are stupid assholes who will stereotype an entire country based on what they see on YouTube. I don't think that Japanese are barbaric, inhumane, or merciless - but the images that I saw in this video are each of these things and somehow worst. Please spell out that allowing the slaughter of dolphin in a few rural fishing towns helps a few hundred, or maybe a couple thousand fishermen, but poisons the national brand in the eyes of the world. Please explain, allowing the killing of dolphin sets back all your hard work changing the world's image of Japan as a place that a traveler will want to visit.
The Earthquake and radiation wouldn't keep me away, but that 2 minute Youtube video will,
- Rob Jones
P.s. I'm looking forward to more writing.