TAKE YOUR PANTS OFF...

…was what I somehow deciphered was being communicated to me by some old Japanese man sat beside me. This was my first month in Japan, what was I in for?!?

Most foreigners who end up in Japan have a fascinating story to tell as to what enticed them over into this mystical land. From anime to shinto fanatics, I have heard most of it and then some… I slightly envied these people and their oriental passions…I had none.

Beyond some lessons in Karate as a 10year old, my pre-existing knowledge of Japanese, culture, customs and social etiquette, was safe to say, extremely limited.?

So I hadn’t the slightest clue as to what was waiting for me in Japan when I decided to move here. What was a 26 year old me doing applying for a teaching position in 1) a foreign country where I knew so little about and 2) having had never stepped foot in a school to teach?

In fact this was how I wanted it. I came intentionally blind. Why? You may wonder… And what could possibly go wrong? As It turned out, a few things.?

I'm now in a Japanese Onsen, I look around and everyone is commando butt naked, It was anything but eye candy. I’ve always enjoyed going to pools and spas in the UK and so when the talk of Japanese Onsen culture was brought up by some others who I met when I landed in Japan, I looked into going to the first one that I could find. That in itself proved a little difficult because of my tattoos, and as I would later find out, are a big hurdle when it comes to entering onsens and even gyms.

But… on this occasion, all was not lost and I managed to find one that allowed tattoos and so merrily on I went wearing a big smile and a pair of shorts inside the onsen. One of those I wasn’t supposed to be wearing. I didn’t waste a second and got right in humming away paddling my legs. After a few moments of being inside minding my own business, an old man sat beside me, and gruntled something whilst pointing at my pants. In the midst of the completely unrecognisable sound leaving his mouth, I'm pretty sure I made out the sound “OFFU”

Before the word ‘Hentai’ left my mouth (pervert in Japanese - I was picking up the language pretty quickly) I took a look around and everyone was dangling junk like I had never seen. I felt like an idiot, how could I have bloody missed this. I of course went back out and went in commando and it must have taken me not more than two minutes to come to terms with the slight self-consciousness with public nudity.

That day brought with it a new mindset. A mindset that shifted the way I listen, watch, learn and form opinions about anything. It was a gift. I learned my biggest life lesson to date: my most commonly held beliefs, opinions and views towards things could shift in an instant. A tad little deep you might be thinking but the connection was there.

If my feelings and levels of comfort on a frivolous matter could be altered in a second what else could? How about other socially constructed beliefs and opinions.

The mantra ‘Strong beliefs loosely held’ was born. That experience and the reflection that ensued was never forgotten…And of course, don’t wear bloody shorts in an onsen Zach.

This experience also triggered my acknowledgement of the need for extreme acceptance of failure. I came to terms with the fact there were probably going to be lots of people like that disgruntled ‘Oji-san’ who were going to give me a good ‘ol word to the ear, some less friendly than others, in regard to some cultural faux pas or another.

I accepted and owned my lack of knowledge and swallowed it with the true fact that I knew I was coming from the right place. A place of genuine curiosity and respect for another culture and its subsequent social norms and values. If I was ignorant of something once, that was fair enough, I would listen, watch and learn and correct for the next time without criticising myself. If I made that same mistake twice, I was at fault.

That second offence rarely came; there’s something about learning from experience that has a tendency to ingrain itself into your soul. Experience is king as they say. Needless to say, I don’t go into Onsen’s with my shorts on any longer.

I have had similar cultural and social blunders happen, the above example was just ONE; I just see them as inevitable learning curves, some steeper than others. Adapting to a new culture can be frustrating and challenging, but it can also be a life transformative rewarding experience.

I first travelled out of my home city Bradford at 24 years old to go on and live abroad in Australia.. There, I jumped into various gigs, from knocking on doors for sales to promoting nightlife and even trying my hand at construction and house removal services.

I can confidently say that no endeavour in life has brought with it such condensed learning in a short period of time. Travelling has taught me skills incomparable to anything else I have experienced in life including higher education at university.

Travelling has given me a thirst for life, a desire to understand other people. It has increased my global perspective on matters from political philosophies to the nuances of food and cuisine. This voyage of exploration has nurtured my capacity for empathy, fostering a profound understanding and appreciation for a plethora of cultural and religious tapestries, as well as the many approaches to navigating life.the list of benefits and learnings is endless so i will cut it short here.

I come from a place wherein travel often conjures images of leisurely two-week escapes to Mediterranean beachfront havens, replete with all-inclusive comforts. Yet, the truth, as I've come to know it, transcends this limited perception. Beyond the shores, beyond the safety net of the familiar, exists an expansive realm of growth – physical, mental, and spiritual. Pilgrimages, integral to many faiths, echo this wisdom; stepping out of one's comfort zone unlocks realms of insight unimaginable from within.

On this very day, I am celebrating my remarkable six-year milestone here in Japan. Over this span, I've embarked on countless exciting adventures, fully immersing myself in a foreign culture, delving deep into its intricacies, and acquiring a new language that has allowed me to perceive the world through a fresh and enlightening perspective. I am now married to the amazing Ai Bashir where every day brings with it new learnings. It has truly been an awe-inspiring journey and with my first child on the way in less than 3 weeks, the adventure continues.

Whether you seek travel advice or harbour reservations about taking the leap, don't hesitate to reach out. I'm more than willing to share guidance and support based on my own experiences. In a world that is getting as divided as ever, it is fundamental that the touch-bearers of the future go out and experience the world first-hand by themselves. There is nothing in life that will come close to it. Take the leap!