If Japan were the sea
and the people the fish, I would be the giant flopping snorkeler that just
belly flopped into their serene world under the water. I attract a lot of
attention. They’re all so friendly and gather round to say hello and ask me
about my world on the land. But I
don’t speak fish. I just wave and spout bubbles and accidentally flipper attack
those that get too close. I am obscenely recognisable and not unwelcome, but
our two worlds can never quite collide. I am forever in a bubble moving amongst
them and when I try to reach out and touch, wanting to belong, to talk, they
scatter. See, I don’t speak fish. My friend, he is so much cooler. He became
fluent in piscine lingo… I call him a full-blown scuba diver. That’s what I
aspire to. Not to skim the surface and wallow about in my obnoxious pink face
mask, screaming ‘look at me!....but on the other hand don’t!’ But to glide
svelte-like in the dark depths, smoothly and discreetly observing and learning…
perhaps in a tight, neoprene, ninja-type wetsuit… hmm yes! I will never be a
fish you see. But I am tired of blowing bubbles…and thus from this moment
forward I endeavour to become scuba Jess!
