My name is Ryan and I approved this message.

We are nearing the end of our time in Japan. I have spent a lot of time in Japan just trying to adjust to my new life. It is has been crazy to think I am going to be on the road for 6 months. During the planning phase, 6 months seemed to be almost to little of time. But now 6 months of traveling is a duanting thought. Don’t get me wrong…I am really excited to travel for that long.

Japan is amazing. The culture of Japan is something I have come to admire. I learned most of what I know about the Japanese culture from my friend Trask Donaldson, who has studied the culture extensively and lived in Japan for a year. It was cool to see what he was talking about in action. The people are very kind and honorable. I know as Americans we are very proud but sometimes I feel like we lack the honor these people strive for on a day to day basis. For example, even the Japanese man that changes the trash in the subway stations views his job and his responsibility very seriously. It would be dishonorable for him to not ensure the he performed his job to the best of his abilities. And if you were to walk through a subway station you would not see a piece of trash…even in the trashcan. I think if we practiced living with honor and having honor in everything you do…I think the world would be a better place…and we would be better people. I still like America better though

The US flight carriers could learn a few things from the Japan Airlines. The flight was really cool. We were given slippers, hot towels and blankets all to help us relax and enjoy watching our large flat screen in front of us with a choice of 10 movies. From the onset of the trip to Japan, we have been blasted from the kindness of the Japanese people. There have been several times where we have been lost and people come up to us and help us out. I was particularly impressed by a man called Hero…who was our hero a couple nights ago. We took a late train into Kyoto from Tokyo and when we arrived in Kyoto it was pouring rain. Our hostel was supposed to be close to the train station but we met this German guy that we thought was in the same hostel and he ended up getting us completely lost. It didn’t help that when we went into the 7-Eleven (ya they have them here) to get directions they gave us directions to the wrong street. Well, 3.5 hours later….cold, wet and lost…we had our soaking wet map out trying to figure out our way…when Hero approached us to see if he could help. Well, Hero knew exactly where we needed to go but it was 20 blocks away. He walked us the whole way to our hostel even though it was completely out of the way and in the pouring rain. I know God puts people like that in our lives when we need them most.

Other stuff to note-

Jamie and I went snowboarding in Shiga Kogen (just outside of Nagano). It was fun and it was really cool to see the Japan countryside. But it made me realize out lucky we are in Colorado!!!

We had the pleasure of hanging out Trask’s ex-girlfriend Manami, a local of Kyoto. It was cool to hang out with a friend that spoke english and she was a good connection to the culture.

We went to Karaoke place last night and, yes, I sang my heart out. I will try and post a video or too!

We are going to try and keep more updated on the blog…we have just been busy figuring everything out. I promise there will be a lot more to come!

I am excited for things to come, super relaxed and loving life. Only one problem….I miss all of you too much.

What’s your next adventure??

Ryan

*** Check out the photos page for new Japan photos. I will also try and upload some videos very soon. We have created a group photo webpage on Flickr. If you do not belong to Flickr, you should, it is the coolest and best photo sharing online service out there….completely free too! The group [Jamie, Koye and I] will add all our photos on there. Our group webaddress is -

www.flickr.com/groups/nostepnostory

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