Each year I make an annual birthday pilgrimage to a new place. In
2010 I packed my bags, did some research and off I went to Japan. A woman on
the plane advised me to visit Miyajima Island. It wasn’t included in my book’s
suggested itinerary. So I decided to check it out. I took the bullet train from
Shin-Osaka Station to Hiroshima and later took a ferry to the island. The place
was enchanting and magical. As I made my way towards the famous Red Shinto
Gate, I met a lady named Asuka. It was her birthday. She wanted to eat grilled
oysters and I offered to buy her a few to celebrate. As we walked, talked,
drank, ate and spent the day sightseeing together, she invited me to visit
Tokyo. And as luck would have it, I was en route to Tokyo in a few days’ time.
As the day wore on, she and I said our farewells and promised to meet again.
That evening as I made my way towards Kyoto, it got me thinking about all the
wonderful encounters I've had with locals and how generous they were with their
time. I was amazed at their hospitality and respect for others. How willing
they were to drop what they were doing to assist me in any way they could. As
my travels across Japan progressed, I grew more and more in awe of them. When I
got to Tokyo, I gave Asuka a call to meet for a meal. I wasn’t expecting much
because I knew she was a busy woman. She exceeded my expectations by taking an
entire day off from work to show me around her city. She took me everywhere in
Tokyo. I probably saw more of Tokyo in one day than most tourists do in a few.
As she whisked me from place to place, it dawned on me how amazingly generous
the Japanese people are as a nation. Not only do they come together during
times of need to help rebuild their country, they also show the same
consideration, kindness and amazing generosity towards strangers. I left a more
humble and hospitable person. I learned the true meaning of generosity in Japan.
