The Lessons Not Learned.

[VelKallor]

I expect that I have visited Japan more often than you, starting back in the late 1970s. It took me close to 40 years before I started actually learning the language (most of my visits were port-of-call in the 70s and 80s, and work related since). I'm in my, hmmm, third year I think. The sticking point is Kanji.

Dont get me started.

I can read and understand Japanese in Roman-ji, katakana and hirigana are starting to make sense, Kanji gives me headaches. THAT is one reason i want to get there and maybe live there for a few months, immersing yourself in the culture and language is a damned good way to become more fluent.

I used to be fluent in French as we spoke it at home all the time, Ive lost a lot of the vocabulary over the years as theres been little chance to keep in practice...you dont use it, it you lose it a lot of the time. I learned basic conversational Greek as I worked with a company that had a large Greek speaking staff..I even learned to start to read Greek...that was years ago and I wish Id been able to stay longer.

( Dont ask me about Cyrillic and Russian, please, I hate migraines )..I love learning languages and learning about new cultures, nothing changes your attitudes and preconceptions than seeing the world in a different way.

Yes yes I know what a "weeb" supposedly is, personally I find it offensive, as I see NOTHING wrong with expanding your horizons, stepping beyond your own worldview is a real challenge.

I don't believe that Japan is the be-all and end-all of civilization.

Neither do I...but I do believe I have much to learn about their history and culture. If I had my way Id travel to every part of this world, Rome,.Greece, China, Europe..so much to see and learn and so little time.

Absimiliard

My fondest wish?

Take me to the world's biggest library, audio, visual, maps, books, scrolls..all of it. The collected works of every nation in the world.

Give me basic facilities, a years worth of food and drinks, access to a powerful computer and the library index.

Everyone walk outside, close the doors..then BUGGER OFF AND LEAVE ME ALONE.

[Zanarkand-Ronso]

My fondest wish?

Take me to the world's biggest library, audio, visual, maps, books, scrolls..all of it. The collected works of every nation in the world.

Give me basic facilities, a years worth of food and drinks, access to a powerful computer and the library index.

Add some Workout Equipment, and make it 2 years of Food and Drinks.
And Im there with ya...or at least in my own version XD