FINAL CHOPSTICKS (Ebook With Lines Removed)

Copyright © 2021 by T.A.
Hyman
All rights reserved. This book may not be copied or reprinted for commercial
gain or profit, without the expressed written permission of the author. All
maps appear courtesy of Nurse Geoinformatics and Consulting
(geoinfo@gmail.com).
All photo credits appear courtesy of the Author, K. Newby and T. Odoemena.
Published in Kingston, Jamaica by SKOLASTIK OASIS CARIBBEAN (SOC),

The University of the West Indies, Mona Campus, Kingston 7, Jamaica.
https://skolastikoasiscaribbean.wordpress.com/
Paperback: 978-976-96323-2-5
E-book: 978-976-96323-3-2
NATIONAL LIBRARY OF JAMAICA CATALOGUING-IN-PUBLICATION

DATA
Name: Hyman, T.A. (Tracy-Ann), author.

Title: How do you use those darn chopsticks? : a memoir of a
Jamaican woman who lived and studied in Japan / T.A. Hyman.
Description: Kingston : Skolastik Oasis Caribbean (SOC), 2021.
Identifiers: ISBN 9789769632325 (pbk). | ISBN 9789769632332 (ebk).
Subjects: LCSH: Foreign study – Japan. | Students, Foreign – Japan. |
University of Tokyo – Foreign students. | Japan – Social life and
customs. | Acculturation.
Classification: DDC 371.82691 -- dc23.
First Printed in Kingston, Jamaica
Book Cover Design: Lidah buaya & Ryan Scott
First Edition
ii
DEDICATION
I dedicate this book to the memory of the late Clifton ‘Derrick’

Hamilton. He was the ‘big brother’ that every girl should have,
the father figure that men should exemplify and the best friend
that any wise person should have. He made a tremendous
impact on my life and I truly believe he is ‘gone too soon’. May
his soul rest in peace.
To people across the world, tirelessly seeking out purpose and

their identity, in order to come to a place of self-acceptance and
inner peace, I also dedicate this book to you.
iii
iv
Table of Contents
DEDICATION................................................................................ iii
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS................................................................x
AUTHOR’S NOTE........................................................................xii
FOREWORD 1............................................................................. xiii
FOREWORD 2.............................................................................. xv
PREFACE................................................................................... xvii
INTRODUCTION.......................................................................... xx
CHAPTER 1:.............................................................................................. 1
A Leap of Faith................................................................................... 1
The Journey Begins...................................................................... 2
Shedding Labels...........................................................................2
Flying to Japan.............................................................................4
My First Seven Days.....................................................................6
First Impressions.........................................................................8
CHAPTER 2:............................................................................................ 13
The First 30 Days – Japanese Culture............................................13
Japanese Mannerisms................................................................14
Japanese Honorifics...................................................................16
Japanese Food and Eating Style................................................16
Japanese Slurping......................................................................20
Alarmed!..................................................................................... 21
Those DARN CHOPSTICKS!........................................................22
CHAPTER 3:............................................................................................ 27
The First 30 Days - My Japanese Tutor........................................27
My Japanese Tutor: Hara-San...................................................28
Panty lines - do not cross!........................................................28
Hara-San learns to speak Jamaican Creole (Patwa)...............29
Driving with Hara-San...............................................................30
Hara-San Practises English.......................................................32
CHAPTER 4:............................................................................................ 37
Getting it Right................................................................................ 37
Taking the Bus............................................................................ 38
v
Surplus Nurses and Doctors?....................................................39
Garbage Disposal GRRS!!!..........................................................40
CHAPTER 5:............................................................................................ 47
The Next 30 Days............................................................................. 47
My Japanese Jitensha................................................................. 48
The Meiji Jingu Festival.............................................................51
The Japanese Toilet...................................................................53
CHAPTER 6:............................................................................................ 59
Not going as planned!..................................................................... 59
Frustrated with Hara-San.........................................................60
Bike Hogs.................................................................................... 60
Bike Crash................................................................................... 61
Japanese Dogs............................................................................. 62
A Dog Trimming Hotel, huh?....................................................64
Earthquake Tremors.................................................................. 65
CHAPTER 7:............................................................................................ 69
Slowly but Surely….........................................................................69
University Work......................................................................... 70
Academic Speed Dating.............................................................72
Eating, Learning and Sleeping Milestones..............................72
Chivalry....................................................................................... 75
That Train!.................................................................................. 76
Bicycle Drama............................................................................. 78
CHAPTER 8:............................................................................................ 83
Self-Discovery and Acceptance.....................................................83
Not used to Foreigners..............................................................84
A Black Girl on a Japanese Train..............................................85
Battling Depression and Being Alone......................................89
Japanese Winter......................................................................... 90
The Positive Side of Being Alone.............................................91
My Fellow Jamaican and African Brothers and Sisters.........94
Maintaining My Hair in Japan..................................................97
CHAPTER 9:.......................................................................................... 103
International Exposure................................................................103
vi
Jamaica is not in Africa...........................................................104
Dating and Tracy in Japan......................................................106
The One Jamaica Festival - 2009 ............................................109
English/Patwa Encounter - Part 1.........................................112
English/Patwa Encounter - Part 2.........................................112
Reflections on the Festival......................................................113
The United Kingdom (UK).......................................................115
More Earthquakes....................................................................118
CHAPTER 10:........................................................................................ 123
Stepping Out into the Unknown.................................................123
The One Love Jamaica Festival - 2010....................................124
Tracy the Back-up Singer........................................................126
The Performance.....................................................................127
My Time in Rome.....................................................................131
Taking the Shinkansen............................................................138
The Onsen................................................................................. 140
The Overnight Ferry................................................................141
CHAPTER 11:........................................................................................ 147
The Fork vs. Chopsticks Philosophies.........................................147
Back to Reality.......................................................................... 148
Thesis Defence.......................................................................... 149
The PhD Interview...................................................................152
Meeting with Sensei................................................................153
Explaining the Fork vs. Chopsticks Philosophies................154
Darn Chopsticks Philosophy - Part 1.....................................156
Bouncing Back.......................................................................... 157
CHAPTER 12:........................................................................................ 163
We Did It!........................................................................................ 163
Graduation................................................................................ 164
Daddy and Lisa experience Japan..........................................167
Daddy ate Sashimi!..................................................................167
My Father and the Japanese Truck Driver............................169
CHAPTER 13:........................................................................................ 175
Earthquake!!!................................................................................. 175
vii
Teaching English in Japan: Post-Master’s Degree................176
The 2011 Tōhoku Earthquake - PART 1.................................178
Major Media in Jamaica reach out.........................................180
The 2011 Tōhoku Earthquake - PART 2.................................181
Getting Home............................................................................ 182
Faced with Reality.................................................................... 182
Nuclear Disaster....................................................................... 183
Leaving Japan........................................................................... 185
Waiting in New York...............................................................186
CHAPTER 14:........................................................................................ 191
Coming Back Home....................................................................... 191
At Home.................................................................................... 192
Resettling Woes........................................................................ 192
Fulbright Nexus Fellowship....................................................196
CHAPTER 15:........................................................................................ 201
A Company is Formed................................................................... 201
The rise of SKOLASTIK OASIS CARIBBEAN (SOC).................202
SOC’s Vision and Mission........................................................203
Other Product Offerings..........................................................206
EPILOGUE:............................................................................................ 209
Key Lessons Learnt..................................................................209
The Darn Chopsticks Philosophy - Part 2.............................210
Things to Consider when deciding to live, work, do
business or study overseas………………………………….
………..215
Pre-Departure Checklist for Caribbean Nationals (tick).....216
Japanese words and expressions used in this book
(Roma-ji) …………………………………………………………….………
217
Jamaican Creole (Patwa) words used in this book...............219
Jamaican Creole (Patwa) expressions used in this book.....221
Other English Words, Slangs and Expressions
used in this book..................................................................223
Reviews..................................................................................... 226
viii
ENDNOTES........................................................................................... 228
ix
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
I am foremost grateful to God for giving me life and a purpose

on this earth. He has equipped and prepared me to be the
woman I am today and I am very grateful. Indeed, he preserved
me every day, as a single, black woman, living and studying in
Japan.
I want to thank the Japanese Government for selecting me
for the Monbukagakusho (MEXT) Scholarship in 2008, which
afforded me many opportunities that many only dream of. I
was even able to fulfil a childhood dream of mine to travel to
Europe because of this MEXT Scholarship.
Indeed, the investment of the Japanese government was
not wasted, but has yielded a high rate of return. Since
returning to Jamaica, I have worked tirelessly to build my
country and give back to my fellow citizens. My current mission
at this time is to improve the socio-economic conditions of the
African race through education, entrepreneurship and the
performing arts, and this has been fuelled by my experiences in
Japan.
To my mother and father, thank you for the support you
provided to me before going to Japan, while in Japan and even
after Japan. I am very grateful. Daddy, thanks for flying all the
way from Jamaica, 8000 miles to my graduation in 2010. Much
love to my sister, Lisa, for her support and for also making the
trip to Japan from the USA to attend my graduation.
To Robert Lawrence, aka Uncle Bobby, I thank you for your
prophetic words in 2008, which led to the birthing of this book
in 2021.
Janette Fuller, after the initial roller coaster ride, you came
at the right time to provide editorial advice, having gained an
understanding of the Japanese culture because you lived there
as well. Indeed, you are a treasure.
To Professor Takashi Mino, aka. Mino Sensei, thanks for
taking the time out of your very busy schedule to review this
x
book, write the foreword and provide honest feedback. Your
perspective through the eyes of a Japanese person is greatly
appreciated.
A special thanks to the Embassy of Japan in Jamaica, and
the Embassy of Jamaica in Japan for serving me, guiding me
and providing necessary cross-country support since 2008. I
am indeed grateful that diplomatic relations exist between
Japan and Jamaica.
Thank you Dr. Louis-Ray Harris, for also writing the
foreword for this book and to your dad, ‘Uncle Leon,’ for
providing a great review of this book. I appreciate Uncle Leon’s
critiques, suggestions and ability to coin words well.
Jo-Ann Richards-Goffe, thanks for the promotion of this
book in the KW magazine and believing in my product and
company. Readers, if you have not gotten your copy of this
magazine, please visit: https://issuu.com/jo-ann/docs/kw-
magazine_jan_2020 or https://issuu.com/jo-ann/docs/kw-
magazine_feb_2021.
I want to specially thank the Japanese residents in the
communities I lived in during my time in Japan. Thank you for
being helpful and patient with me while I lived as a temporary
resident in your country, learning how to adapt. We had some
good and bad moments and didn’t always agree, but overall, I
don’t regret the experiences and lessons learnt in Japan. They
have made me a better person today and I will always treasure
Japan in my heart.
There are so many persons to thank, but time does not
permit me to do this in detail, so I will just mention their
names in no particular order: Jamila Gordon, Toshiko and
Koya Shimokawa, Celine Browning, Shamir Bulgin, Dahlia
McLean, Hamida Ali, Maureen Wright-Evans aka Aunty
Maureen, Tomoko Sensei, Diana Shakes, Ariff Butler, Sonia
Roach, Anna-Kaye Wade, Dorett ‘Petal’ Lawson, Marcia
Williams, GPSS Japan, Gaba Inc., Tokyo Baptist Church, James
Wright, my academic supervisors and all my fellow classmates
xi
from 2008-2010, thank you for the positive interactions and
support in my personal, academic and business endeavours.
xii
AUTHOR’S NOTE
The stories and events described in this book are my

recollection of events while living and studying in Japan. Those
events are seen through my eyes and represent my perspective.
In most instances, the names of persons have been changed
and the specific details of events and their accompanying dates
may not be included for the purpose of maintaining privacy
and confidentiality.
In this book, the text is written in Standard Jamaican
English. There are, however, inserts of Jamaican Creole
(Patwa), as well as Japanese words. I have included the
translation of those words into English in the form of footnotes
on the same page; or you may see an explanation in brackets
beside the word. There is also a compilation of Jamaican,
Japanese and Other English words and expressions used in this
book, right after the Epilogue.
You will also observe that I ask questions of you the reader
on pages 29 and 53. I would love to hear from you, so you can
respond by sending an email to:
skolastikoasiscaribbean@gmail.com
xiii
FOREWORD 1
Congratulations on the author’s wonderful literary talent

shown in her latest book release titled, How Do You Use Those
DARN CHOPSTICKS?!’ A Memoir of a Jamaican Woman who
Lived and Studied in Japan. I was the Coordinator of the
Graduate Program in Sustainability Science (GPSS) at the
University of Tokyo, Japan, when the author, Tracy-Ann
Hyman, did her Master’s study there. I was not her supervisor,
but I remember her very well because she was a very striking
student. It is a privilege of professors to see their former
students being active and making a valuable contribution to
society.
This book is written based on Tracy-Ann’s experience
studying in Japan and the unexpected events she encountered
during her time there. The book is so funny on one hand,
because it shows how something normal in one culture looks
strange when observed through the spectacles of those who
come from a completely different culture. The book is also
serious at the same time, because living with a lot of
uncertainties and unknown factors including domestic
customs, traditions and a serious disaster such as a big
earthquake, must have been a true challenge for a foreigner.
When I first read this manuscript, I realized that Tracy-Ann
had some difficult days during her time in Japan. I am afraid
that part of those difficulties may have been caused by me and
the system we had in the GPSS. In the end though, those
experiences formed part of her academic training and
development. Living in a foreign country means that one
experiences both positive and negative aspects of that country.
So, it’s not surprising that Tracy-Ann had both experiences
in Japan. There are some descriptions in this book which may
not be very comfortable for the Japanese, but I think I should
xiv
accept them. In fact, Tracy-Ann eventually overcame those
difficulties by herself and even enjoyed life in Japan.
This book therefore highlights a young woman’s bravery
and determination to overcome cultural challenges in order to
achieve her goals. It is an excellent guidebook for those
interested in studying in Japan, and even abroad. Let me
encourage all prospective readers to take this book in their
hand, and enjoy themselves.
Takashi Mino
Deputy Director and Project Professor
Tokyo College, The University of Tokyo
Former Coordinator
Graduate Program in Sustainability Science (GPSS)
The University of Tokyo, Japan
xv
FOREWORD 2
I have always felt that Tracy-Ann has a knack for ‘flair’ and her
personality is one that demonstrates her desire to ‘go above
and beyond’, whatever the project is. When approached to
write this foreword, I therefore expected nothing less. As
someone who has known her since childhood, I can see her
personality coming out on every page of this her first, non-
fiction book, and I can hear her high-spirited laughter jumping
out of the pages as she recounts her experiences in Japan.
In the book, How Do You Use Those DARN
CHOPSTICKS?! A Memoir of a Jamaican Woman who Lived
and Studied in Japan she shares her raw and uncut thoughts
and emotions as she relates a journey that many persons would
shy away from -one that took her many thousands of miles
away from the comfort of her home, Jamaican food, friends
and culture.
Instead, she brought them with her, as evidenced by how
she extricated herself out of a bicycle parking ticket in a truly
‘Tracy-style’ as well as the use of her dancing skills to break a
fall from her bicycle. She also showed her wit through her use
of Standard English to respond to a Japanese man speaking to
her in genuine Jamaican Creole (Patwa) at a Bob Marley
festival.
Based on the wide variety of experiences recounted by
Tracy, it would be very easy to overlook the fact that she
actually went to Japan to do her master’s degree. However, not
only did she complete her studies, but she did so quite
successfully. From her description of her lab environment to
being on the receiving end of her professors’ ‘Tiger Mom’
treatment, her account of academic life in Japan gives the
reader a clear understanding of the Japanese ethos, and what is
considered important in the Japanese culture.
xvi
In the pages of this book, you will hear about the event that
ultimately gave her a truer understanding of the Japanese
group mentality - an often overlooked example of chopsticks
that should not be taken lightly when preparing for an
experience such as this one. Those chopsticks therefore
represent ‘a certain way of life and thinking’ from a Japanese
perspective.
In several chapters, she also provides important takeaways
for the reader who may consider embarking on a similar
journey, whether to Asia or another region. These tips, along
with Tracy’s unique communication style, will be good
preparation for what to expect, should one venture into such an
environment (including the reminder to always have tinned
Jamaican foods in your kitchen cupboard).
As someone who has also been through the Japan
experience myself, I can relate to much of what Tracy has
written here, and while individual experiences may differ based
on one’s location within Japan, Tracy has captured much of the
essence of life in Japan through the eyes of a gaijin (foreigner).
Dr. Louis-Ray Harris

Past Japanese MEXT Scholar (2004—2009)
President of the Association of Jamaican MEXT Students
(AJMS)
xvii
PREFACE
‘The road to success leads through the valley of humility, and

the path is up the ladder of patience and across the wide
barren plains of perseverance. As yet, no short cut has ever
been discovered’ - Joseph J. Lamb
The period leading up to me leaving Jamaica for Japan, in

2008, was very hectic, because the opportunity to go to Japan
was unexpected. My desire was really to live and study in
Europe - not Japan. It had always been a childhood dream of
mine to visit Europe, sip wine, eat in high end restaurants and
travel from country to country. So, when the application for my
desired master’s programme in Europe was unsuccessful, I was
very disappointed. However, I got through to study in Japan
and there was a mad rush to prepare and put things in place to
reach Japan by October 7, 2008, or risk losing the scholarship.
To make matters worse, I couldn’t speak a full sentence in
Japanese and was only able to do a one-week crash course with
a Japanese teacher in Jamaica, before leaving. If someone
could have pointed me to a handbook on living in Japan as a
Caribbean national at that time, I would have gladly bought
and read it. To my knowledge, no such book existed then, and it
is for that same reason, this book was birthed; to make
information readily available to persons faced with a similar
situation as mine.
While in Japan, journaling was an important coping
mechanism, and involved me regularly sharing journal entries
with family members and close friends through email. One
such person with whom I shared was Uncle Bobby, my mentor
at the time who looked forward to reading my intriguing
emails. He encouraged me to write a book describing my
experiences.
xviii
A book? That was the furthest thing from my mind. My
focus was on simply surviving in a new and different culture. In
2018, however, that view point changed and I decided that the
time had come to tell my story. This book has thus been in the
making since then, making me ecstatic that it is finally here in
2021. Hooray!!!
I use my experience of eating with chopsticks as a metaphor
for my time in Japan. Many Westerners like myself find the
experience of using chopsticks very frustrating! As I write, I’m
remembering how those two wooden sticks hindered me from
eating on several occasions. How was I supposed to transition
from eating with a knife and fork to chopsticks? As time
progressed, however, and with lots of practice - including
embarrassing moments - I was able to eat an entire meal with
chopsticks. It was ‘like water off a duck’s back!’
Joseph J. Lamb’s words thus encapsulates the essence of
my journey in Japan which involved: walking through the
‘valley of humility,’ climbing up ‘the ladder of patience’ and
trekking through the ‘plains of perseverance.’ Indeed, there are
yet no shortcuts to success that can be found! One has to go
through the process, be painfully refined in the fire and then
come out as pure gold.
I am therefore grateful to God, through his son Jesus Christ
for sustaining me every day while living alone and studying in
Japan as a Jamaican woman. This was indeed a challenging,
yet necessary chapter in my life as a black woman. Trust me, I
know that when the time comes for you to live, work, study or
do business in a foreign country, it will be overwhelming as you
navigate your way through a new culture. I wrote this book
especially for you, to relieve you of unnecessary stress.
At the end of every chapter is a section called ‘Takeaways’ to
help you better prepare and settle more easily in a foreign
country. Remember to review each point carefully and make
notes if you have to. There is a notes page at the end of each
chapter for you to do just that. I have also included key
xix
websites in the Endnotes section, to help you navigate through
daily life in Japan, as well as provided other references with
general information. Don’t forget to review the Pre-Departure
Checklist at the end of this book as well.
Importantly, while the title of the book speaks about Japan,
this book also covers my trips outside of Japan, giving you a
broader perspective of living overseas. It includes trips made to
Rome, the UK and the USA, with some comparisons to Jamaica
or Japan.
Most of the comparisons in this book, however, are made
between the Jamaican and Japanese cultures, giving you some
perspective of Western and Eastern cultures. These
comparisons can be very useful for Jamaicans planning to
travel to Japan, as well as Japanese, who plan to travel to
Jamaica. Both nationalities can better appreciate the cultural
differences as well as similarities, and work towards mutual
understanding and cooperation. If you don’t plan to travel to
Japan or Jamaica but are just interested in other cultures, this
book will also prove useful.
I specifically refer to the comparisons above as the fork vs.
chopsticks philosophies, which I eventually fused into the darn
chopsticks philosophy. These philosophies have been coined
based on my time spent in Japan and capture the journey of
upward social mobility for persons across the globe - through
the vehicle of education towards entrepreneurship. I discuss
this in the book.
Guess what? You may not be able to escape the stress of
transitioning to a new place, but you can reduce it by being
prepared. This book is therefore my unique story, my personal
experience, and is a gift from my hand to yours. Use it as a
guide or handbook, for reflection, even comic relief, but
importantly use it wisely on your academic, professional or
entrepreneurial journey.
T.A. Hyman, CEO
xx
SKOLASTIK OASIS CARIBBEAN (SOC)
xxi
INTRODUCTION
Prior to my living and studying in Japan, I was a Sales

Representative for a hardware company, selling roofing and
hardware supplies to individuals and companies all across
Jamaica. I had a background in sales before that job, selling
Avon products, telecommunication services and even ice but
transitioning to selling roofing and hardware supplies was a
major step for me.
It proved challenging at first, but eventually I started to
learn the ‘ins and outs’ of the hardware business. Nonetheless,
other challenges still persisted, mostly in terms of meeting my
monthly obligations of rent, gas, utilities, since our salary was
predominantly commission driven. If you didn’t make a sale,
you got no ‘bacon’ to bring home to the family.
Even with that new and exciting experience of selling
roofing and hardware supplies, deep down, I desired more out
of life. There was simply much more to do, see and contribute
to, in life. Some time after working at my new job, our sales
team began to hear rumours that our company would be
closing down. So, like any wise person, the hunt began for
another job.
It was during that time that I seriously contemplated doing
further academic studies. I had received a Bachelor’s degree in
Hotel Management from the University of the West Indies,
Jamaica, in 2001 and was out of school since then. So, why not
go back to university to pursue a master’s degree?
My company had not yet closed down and fortunately I
managed to secure a second job selling windows. It was while
working at that second job that the search began to find a
master’s degree programme abroad.
A significant factor in my decision to study abroad was the
level of crime and violent incidents occurring in Jamaica at that
time. I was overwhelmed and simply grew tired of that
xxii
situation. I wanted something fresh, maybe a change of scenery
and environment - some place where there was little to worry
about, and the emphasis was not placed on being robbed, or
being in the wrong place at the wrong time.
In 2007, my focus was on studying in Europe, having
fantasized about Europe since my childhood. I was fascinated
with Europe and wanted to live there. I remember vividly
watching T.V. shows about Rome and Paris as a child. I also
loved when my mother prepared Italian pasta for dinner. I was
simply mesmerized by Paris, the city of love. Ohhh Pariii!!
I quickly identified a taught master’s degree programme in
Environmental Sciences, Policy and Management (MESPOM), i
offered as a joint degree at a consortium of four universities in
Europe. That two-year taught programme would be split
between Hungary, Sweden, Greece and the United Kingdom,
and proved perfect for me–right up my street! With Europe at
the forefront of my mind, I worked tirelessly on the Erasmus
Mundus Scholarship application, and submitted it, in order to
start the MESPOM degree by fall 2008.
Shortly after, I found out about the Master of Sustainability
Science degree offered at the University of Tokyo in Japan. This
two-year degree programme was supported by a Japanese
Government Scholarship and so I also submitted an application
as well. The Japanese application proved to be very long and
tedious, but I remember being encouraged by my friend, Diana,
to apply. She gave me some important pointers on what to
include in my scholarship application.
Studying and living in Japan was, however, Plan B for me.
Japan was the ‘fall back’ plan, especially because the Japanese
master’s degree was research-based and I had no clue what
‘research’ was all about. The programme in Europe was a
taught programme, one with which I was more familiar.
When my scholarship application to study in Europe was
unsuccessful, I was very disappointed. I never heard from the
Erasmus Mundus Scholarship programme, even up to this day
xxiii
-no email, no rejection letter, nothing! But, to my surprise, on
February 6, 2008, I received an email from the International
Students Office at the University of Tokyo, Japan, informing
me of my success in securing a full scholarship there.
That scholarship would afford me the opportunity to pursue
a Master of Sustainability Science degree at one of Asia’s top
ranked universities. It covered my tuition fees, airfare to and
from Japan and a monthly stipend to cover rent, utilities,
transportation and meals.
The year 2007 was therefore a significant one for me,
particularly December 2007, when I sacrificed that Christmas
and focused entirely on filling out university and scholarship
application forms. I didn’t go anywhere. I attended no social
events, not even church because I lived on that computer day
and night seeking out, and applying for opportunities.
I remember one of my church sisters telling me how much I
had missed at watch night service 1 and then the accompanying
guilt I felt. In the end, however, my efforts paid off. Sometimes
in life, we need to take the time out to break away from our
daily routine, to think, reflect and plan. There is so much that
clutters our daily lives and minds, hindering our ability to
make sound decisions.
I was headed to Japan, not necessarily where I wanted to
go, but that strategic scholarship door created by God would
eventually afford me the opportunity to travel to Europe. I got
the opportunity to present at two academic conferences, one in
the United Kingdom and the other in Rome, fulfilling my
childhood dream of visiting Europe.
The preparation leading up to my leaving Jamaica,
however, was very hectic. Many things had to be put in place in
order for me to reach Japan during the stipulated time in
October 2008, or I could risk losing the scholarship.
Without speaking a full sentence in Japanese, I thrust
myself into a culture, with little time to do research about
1
A religious event to welcome/celebrate the new year
xxiv
Japan. Ironically, my master’s programme was research-based.
I was therefore in for the journey of a lifetime, one that would
forever remain etched in my mind. This 180-degree turn in
culture and way of living was new to me - ahm, what was I
thinking?
Then to make matters worse, I experienced a major
earthquake while in Japan–the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake. This
earthquake caused serious damage to Japan’s nuclear facilities
and had life-threatening impacts on the population. This would
eventually lead to my sudden departure from Japan in March
2011.
Follow me on this eye-opening, riveting, yet comical
journey as I, a single, black, Jamaican woman adjusted to living
in Japan. I had no idea of the gravity of experiences that lay
ahead …
xxv
CHAPTER 1:
A Leap of Faith
1
T. A. Hyman
The Journey Begins
In 2008, I received a Monbukagakusho (MEXT) Scholarship

from the government of Japan to study at the prestigious
University of Tokyo in Kashiwa, Chiba. Monbukagakusho
(MEXT)ii is Japan’s Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports,
Science and Technology, and offers scholarships to
international students who desire to study at Japanese
universities. The MEXT Scholarship would cover my tuition for
two years, airfare to and from Japan and provided me with a
monthly allowance for rent and personal expenses.
I was off to Japan and couldn’t complete a full sentence in
Japanese! Fortunately for me, the research master’s degree
would be taught in English, otherwise I don’t know how I
would have managed. I knew very little about the Japanese
culture and at the last minute before leaving Jamaica, I
managed to attend one week of Japanese language classes with
Tomoko Sensei.
Tomoko Sensei is a Japanese national living in Jamaica
who teaches the Japanese language. She is also willing to share
the Japanese culture with anyone willing to learn about it. She
proved to be a valuable resource in the space of a week, as well
as during my time in Japan.
Other Japanese degree programmes required that you
attended six months of Japanese language training before
starting your degree. That was not my case and was a welcomed
relief. Interestingly, though, I would meet other Jamaicans,
who came to Japan before me, learnt the language and studied
in Japanese.
Shedding Labels
Unknown to me at that time, the University of Tokyo iii

(otherwise known as Todai), was ranked as one of the top
universities in Asia, and still is today. It is considered to be a
very prestigious institution in Japan and among many
2
Japanese. There were times in Japan, while being introduced
to Japanese persons as a Todai student, I noticed that their
expressions
3
How Do You Use Those Darn Chopsticks?!
changed immediately. ‘Atamagaii’,2 they would say, and that

made me wonder: Who were they talking about? Were they
really referring to me?
In high school in Jamaica, I don’t ever remember being
referred to as ‘bright’ 3 or being a top student in class. We were
separated for core classes like English and Mathematics and I
remember being placed in the ‘not so bright’ Math group. That
impacted my confidence level and made me feel somewhat
inferior to other students. My experience with the Jamaican
education system during my school years, was that it
categorized students in terms of being ‘bright, ‘average’ or
‘dunce’4 and, unfortunately, some persons considered average
or dunce, wear those negative labels for life.
Studying in Japan, however, made me understand that the
labels placed on me in school were not a final indicator of who I
was, or who I would become. I was on a path towards
greatness, one that would have challenges, but was also laden
with many new opportunities. So, eventually after some time, I
got used to the ‘oohs’ and ‘ahs’ that accompanied the
exclamations made by the Japanese when they met me.
Students from all across the world were accepted into my
master’s programme - students from the USA, China, Chile,
Indonesia, Bolivia, Philippines, Ethiopia, Columbia, Sri-Lanka
and Bangladesh. I was the only Jamaican in the group. Thus,
despite those childhood labels and feelings of inadequacy, God
created a strategic scholarship door for me to walk through that
caused me to question those very same labels and inner beliefs.
Since then, my life has never been the same!
Let me encourage Caribbean nationals, Africans and
persons across the globe to tap into an international experience
- whether it be a scholarship, a competition, work experience or
an internship. Don’t think that you are not ‘bright’ enough.
This is a myth that needs to be debunked and I am a living
2
The Japanese expression for being very smart or bright
3
Excelling academically
4
Not excelling academically
4
testimony that you do not have to be exceptionally ‘bright’ in

order to access global opportunities. Labels are assigned to
persons in different cultures, but those same labels may not
apply in another culture. You can therefore seize some of the
best opportunities, become successful and contribute much to
your society.
Flying to Japan
In October 2008, I took a leap of faith by flying over 8000

miles to live and study in Japan. It was the longest flight I had
ever taken in my life. It took sixteen hours of flying time and
proved to be very exhausting. We first flew from Jamaica to
New York, which was roughly 4 hours; then we flew from New
York to Japan, which took another 12 hours (Map 1). Hats off
to the American Airline pilots who flew the entire distance so
quickly.
It still felt like an eternity, though, on the plane. Imagine
sleeping on a plane, then waking up, going back to sleep and
waking up again, and you still had not reached your
destination. That’s exactly what happened. We were, however,
fed well by the flight attendants, with three square meals and
snacks, so my stomach wanted for nothing.
On October 6, 2008, we finally landed at the Narita
International Airport in Narita, Chiba (Map 2), where I claimed
my luggage and cleared immigration. I brought with me three
suitcases, plus one carry-on bag, a knapsack and my hand bag,
courtesy of my mother. I still felt that I should have taken more
stuff. I am a real ‘Yardie’, a Jamaican who loves her ‘bag an’ pan’5
and lots of Jamaican food. Remember, being 8000 miles from
home, not having a clue about Japan, it was important to have
as many items that reminded me of home, because I didn’t
know what to expect.
5
Luggage / Bags
5
T. A. Hyman
I took a bus from the airport to Kashiwa, Chiba, to meet my

Japanese Tutor. Kashiwa city (Map 2) was where I would live
and go to university. It would be my new home, away from my
home in Jamaica. Little did I know, however, that the next 7 to
60 days would be a roller coaster ride, requiring me to ‘hang
on’ for dear life. The two wooden sticks, those DARN
CHOPSTICKS, would slowly shape up to become quite a
challenge.
Some serious surprises lay ahead. Mama Mia! Caramba!
Tasukette!6 are just some of the words fit for ‘air play’ that
come to mind, as I write.
My First Seven Days
My first seven days in Japan were literally an ‘EYE-OPENER!’

Psychologists refer to this as culture shock. I was so busy
preparing to travel to Japan that I didn’t get the chance to learn
much about the culture, weather and, importantly, the
language. Having arrived in Japan, those changes hit me like a
head-on car collision.
Firstly, my sleeping patterns had to change. Japan is about
13 to 14 hours ahead of Jamaica and so in those first seven days
(to even weeks), I was jet lagged. When I was supposed to be
sleeping, I was awake, and when I was to be awake, I was
sleeping. ‘Oh Lord.’
I also had to transition from sleeping on a bed in Jamaica to
sleeping on a ‘Futon’ on the floor in my new Japanese
Apartment. On the floor people. What a humility check! A
Futon is the typical Japanese bed. It is a thin mattress, stuffed
with cotton, wool or synthetics, placed on top of a tatami mat.
Tatami mats are considered to be traditional Japanese
flooring, made from rice straw and rush grass. iv So, when you
wake up in the mornings, you simply roll up your futon and
store it in a cupboard or elsewhere.
6
Help me!
7
T. A. Hyman
Not to mention the bath tub! ‘What was that?’ When I

opened the door and saw what looked like a shipping container
with the top cut off and realised that it was the bath, shock
engulfed me. Later on, I found out that it was called an ‘ Ofuro’
and you were supposed to stand on the floor outside of the
bath, and wash yourself. Afterwards, you soaked inside the
Ofuro.
In Japan, that same water in the Ofuro is used for soaking
by several family members and is sometimes reused for soaking
for several days afterwards. What? I must confess, however,
that I never kept this rule throughout my entire time in Japan.
Instead of washing myself outside the tub and soaking in the
tub afterwards, I bathed inside the tub every single day!
My apartment was very small and the space inside was
limited. Compared to my home in Jamaica, that size was very
surprising and I often wondered how two, or even three
persons could live in such a small space. Nonetheless, I had my
own bedroom, bathroom and kitchen and eventually grew
accustomed to that quaint space. It was mine and would
remain that way for the next two years. I would learn to adapt.
8
Ofuro - Japanese Bath Tub
First Impressions
There were several things that caught my attention in those

first seven days of arriving in Japan - the people, the place and
their technology.
The people were punctual
When I boarded the bus from the Narita International Airport,

they told me that the bus would depart at 5:35 p.m. At 5:34
p.m. we were already seated and the bus was pulling out of the
airport. As time went on, I would learn that to be late was
considered offensive and, in some cases, it was best to not turn
up at all, than to be late. This norm is the complete opposite of
what occurs in Jamaica, where delays are often accommodated
and allowances for lateness are made.
T.A Hyman enjoying her first T.A. Hyman when she first
moments in Japan arrived in Japan
9
T. A. Hyman
Instructions were clear
Having received the acceptance letter for the Japanese MEXT

Scholarship via email, I never once used the telephone to call
Japan. All instructions sent through email were clear, making it
unnecessary to call. If a trusted Japanese source gives you an
instruction, for example to ‘take eight steps forward, then turn
right, and take another four steps, after which you would see
a light post,’ trust me the light post would be there. In
Jamaican Creole we usually say ‘Wi cyan put wi pat pan fiya!’7
The Japanese were safety-conscious
Where I lived in Kashiwa, Chiba, school children walking on

the road in groups had to wear yellow hats, so that they could
be easily identified by motorists. This is a practice across
Japan, and I thought that it would be good to have such a
similar practice in Jamaica. There are several road accidents
involving children each year in Jamaica. Probably, if they wore
distinctive pieces of clothing, motorists could see them much
better and avoid hitting them.
They were big on self-help
When you went to the supermarket, there was no one to pack

your groceries into a bag for you, like in Jamaica. After you
cashed your items, the cashier would give you a plastic bag
(‘Fukuro’ in Japanese), and you would walk over to the
designated area to pack your bags.
The Place was clean
The streets were well swept and kept clean on a regular basis.
7
Whatever is said or agreed on, will definitely happen or be the case.
10
The Technology was advanced
If you saw my cell phone8 at the time, it was the latest in mobile
technology or as we would say in Jamaican Creole ‘tap a di
line’.9 When my Japanese Tutor accompanied me to the store to
purchase a phone, I had decided beforehand to invest in the
best phone possible, since I would be residing in Japan for the
next two years. I asked the Sales Representative to only
recommend phones that had a camera. His response caused my
jaws to drop and eyes to bulge out. “All phones have cameras,”
he said. Remember folks, this was in 2008. Not all phones had
cameras then, well, at least, not in Jamaica.
The phone I eventually chose had a TV on it with a small
antenna. Most of the programmes were in Japanese, however,
making it hard to understand. Still, my thinking was that the
phone was ‘tap a di line’, and the technology was available to
me, so only the best would suffice-even if certain features were
not being used.
The Japanese were ingenious
When you went to the supermarket and gave money to the

cashier, he/she would put the money in an automated cash
register and the machine in turn would dispense the change. It
was not left up to the cashier’s judgement at all.
Additionally, I loved using Japanese ATM machines. You
could pay your bills there and if you put paper notes into the
machine, you could get back change, including coins. This is
not the case in Jamaica, as ATM machines do not give back
change, even in 2021.
8
Keitai Denwa in Japanese
9
The latest model / sophisticated
11
Takeaways
 Take some time to break away from your daily routine

to think, reflect and plan. At times our daily lives can
become cluttered, hindering our ability to make sound
decisions.
 Events in life are not always linear; sometimes there are
U-turns and detours involved, before reaching your
final destination.
 Sometimes in life you need to challenge yourself and
take a leap of faith to pursue your dreams and goals.
 Childhood labels are not always an indicator of who you
will become in the future. You have the power to create
that ‘desired you.’
 Labels are assigned to persons in different cultures, but
those same labels may not apply in another culture. You
can seize some of the best opportunities, become
successful and contribute much to your society.
 Learn about the norms and customs of the country that
you intend to live in before travelling there.
 Most things that you put your mind to, you can achieve.
 Be flexible and open to new experiences.
12
NOTES
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____________________________
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13
CHAPTER 2:
The First 30 Days
— Japanese Culture
14
Japanese Mannerisms
The Japanese disposition is generally one of calm and quiet,

especially when you meet them for the first time. They
generally don’t show too much emotion on their faces, which is
the opposite of Jamaicans. In Jamaica, once you get on
someone’s nerves, you know immediately because you see it on
their face. We are so expressive as a people. How do we manage
to get every bone or muscle in our face to show our emotions or
tell a story?
In Japan, you don’t shake hands; you bow. Even the news
reporters on TV bow before reading the news. So, you can
imagine meeting someone for the first time, extending your
hand for them to shake, then realising that they instinctively
had bowed, then seeing your hand quickly extend their hand to
shake yours, while you bowed. What a transition!
I also noticed that the Japanese say ‘thank you’ for
everything, no matter how casual the interaction. It is not
uncommon to hear, ‘Arigatou Gozaimasu’ 10 or ‘Domo’11 in
stores, organisations and on the streets. Also, customer service
is usually good. I really admire the Japanese for their knack for
service and timing in stores. I mean they were so efficient and
quick to serve you, especially when you were at the cashier
counter. Some of the employees in Jamaica who are sometimes
rude to customers would be out of a job or would have to
change professions, if they lived in Japan. Sayonara (bye,
bye)!
What surprised me a lot in those first 30 days of arriving in
Japan was entering retail stores, only to hear in a loud chorus,
‘Irashaimasen’ by the employees. ‘Irashaimasen’ means
welcome, how can I help you, and so like programmed robots,
the employees would continue to say ‘Irashaimasen’ every 15
seconds or so, when other customers entered the store. You can
10
Thank You in Japanese (present tense)
11
A more casual way of saying Thank you in Japanese
15
T. A. Hyman
just imagine the level of activity and noise involved while

shopping. Once you cashed and were on your way out, all the
workers would say together, “Arigatou Gozaimashita”.12 I
had rarely experienced this level of service and gratitude in
Jamaica, as some stores only wanted to know that you spent
your money there, and that was it. What you may hear after the
sale in some Jamaican stores are conditions such as: ‘NO
REFUND!’ or ‘EXCHANGE ONLY!’ - but to thank the customer
profusely for shopping was something I was not used to and
stood out immensely to me in Japan.
Another Japanese custom that fascinated me was the
wearing of different shoes in and outside of buildings. When
you visit a Japanese at home, or enter certain rooms in public
buildings you are expected to leave your shoes at the door.
There is even a designated cupboard 13 or area at the doorway
for shoes, and this applies to the occupants of the house as well
as guests. They really don’t want you to carry dirt into the
house at all! So, you leave your ‘outside shoes’ in designated
spaces in the building and put on indoor shoes (slippers), to
wear around the house, which are provided by your hosts.
In Jamaica, many homes have a mat at the doorway, and
when guests arrive, they usually wipe their feet on the mat and
enter the home with their ‘outside shoes’ on. Guests can come
into your living area and kitchen with those shoes on. If you are
entering a person’s bedroom however, usually, you would
remove your shoes. Like the Japanese, the Jamaican occupants
of the house also change their outside shoes and wear slippers
around the house.
This was an interesting feature of the Japanese culture for
me, because in Jamaica I often wondered about persons who
had ‘stinky feet’. They had to ensure that they didn’t take off
their shoes in public, for fear of embarrassment. How would
they have managed in Japan? What about when you were
12
Thank you (past tense)
13
Getabako in Japanese
16
expected to take off your shoes, and it was winter? That would
be a major transition from the heat to the cold, for a Jamaican.
Japanese Honorifics
The Japanese manner system is based on honour. It comprises

respect for elders and those in senior positions, as well as for
fellow Japanese. This is referred to as Japanese honorifics. v So
as students at the University of Tokyo, for example, we would
refer to our academic supervisors as ‘Sensei’. Sensei literally
means ‘former-born’vi and is used to address teachers,
professors, doctors, lawyers and persons in authority. As such,
you would state the professor’s last name followed by the word
Sensei, and if you were more familiar with them, you could use
their first name followed by Sensei, for example Nagayama
Sensei (last name) or Hiro Sensei (first name).
When addressing persons not necessarily in authority, but
who are considered senior to you, you add ‘San’ after their first
name e.g. John San or Karen San. This is similar to the
practice of adding the word Sensei after a person’s first or last
name.
In Jamaica and some parts of the west, persons in
authority, or who we show respect to, are addressed using titles
such as ‘Sir’, ‘Mrs’, ‘Ms’ or ‘Mr’. It was, therefore, easy for me to
adapt and understand basic Japanese honorifics because
Jamaica had similar cultural practices.
Those first 30 days of arriving in Japan highlighted to me
that there was much to learn, chew on and swallow. I would be
faced with two years of it, so adapting as quickly as possible
was key. I was, after all, a Jamaican woman living and studying
in Japan. Mama Mia!
Japanese Food and Eating Style
The Japanese are very adventurous eaters; they are known to

eat raw fish (sashimi in Japanese), eel (unagi), and octopus
(taco) as part of their diet. They also include pork and eggs in
17
T. A. Hyman
almost every dish. So, persons who don’t eat pork or dairy,
would have challenges eating out.
What was intriguing to me, though, was the consumption of

the poisonous ‘blow fish’ (fugu in Japanese), which they
consider to be a delicacy. Persons die every year in Japan from
eating fugu, because the poison is not removed properly. As
such, only licensed chefs in Japan are allowed to serve blow
fish in their restaurants.
This reminds me somewhat of Jamaican ackee which is
cooked with saltfish in our national dish. Ackee is actually a
fruit that has a poisonous vein in it, which should be removed
before cooking. You should also not cook or eat unopened
ackee pods.vii
Jamaicans however do not need a license to serve ackee
publicly and it is served in homes across Jamaica. However, a
few persons die each year from ackee poisoning. Because of
eating ackee, I know the risk of eating certain foods but took no
chances with eating fugu while in Japan. To me, eating fugu
was much riskier than eating ackee and I needed to stay alive. I
had places to go and people to meet!
I was not much of an adventurous eater anyhow, due to a
sensitive stomach. If you gave me something half cooked or
near to the expiry date, my stomach would know immediately
and desire to pass it out as soon as possible, painfully. I
remember once getting food poisoning from something I ate in
Japan and the pain in my stomach was so excruciating that it
felt like death was near.
Consequently, I did not do much food experimenting while
in Japan, and still to date, I haven’t eaten sashimi (raw fish).
When in a new culture, yes, you want to try out new things, but
just be mindful of the types of food you eat and the likelihood
that it may result in unpleasant body reactions (i.e. bowel
movements).
18
Despite my reservations, there were certain food items that

I loved in Japan, namely: ramen soup, miso soup with tofu
and seaweed (nori), green tea (ocha) and okonomiyaki.
Okonomiyaki is a popular pan-fried dish that consists of a
special batter with cabbage placed in it. You can add various
ingredients such as meat, vegetables and cheese, with the dish’s
name ‘okonomi’ literally meaning ‘to one’s liking’ and ‘yaki’
means cooked.
There were even restaurants that you could go to, which
gave you the ingredients and allowed you to make the
okonomiyaki yourself. There was an actual grill at your table,
where you created your own specialized meal. This was so
much fun. In Jamaica we call this ‘tun yuh han’ an’ mek fashion’,
which means to bring out your creativity, with a few items.
Dining in Japan was for the most part a great experience, and
was simply amazing!
There was a Ramen shop that I loved and went to very
often. It was near to the Kashiwa train station (Map 2), several
metres from my apartment and was the closest thing to Chinese
food that I could find. Many Jamaicans love Chinese food and
when you don’t have the time to cook, you normally order
Chinese. When I didn’t have the time to cook or experiment
with Japanese food, my safest bet was to order from that ramen
shop.
Another interesting feature of Japanese ingenuity was the
use of electronic timers when you ordered food at certain
restaurants. Once, having ordered food at the Kashiwanoha
campus station (Map 2), I got my change from the cashier and
an instrument. I didn’t know what the instrument was and was
afraid to ask, because of my poor Japanese language ability at
the time. So, I took a seat and waited.
19
T. A. Hyman
T.A Hyman (1st from right) with her classmates at an Okonomiyaki

restaurant near the University of Tokyo, Kashiwa Campus. Notice
Some time after, I heard
the grill something
in the centre ringing, but did not
of the table.
know what it was, until I saw that it was my instrument. I got
irritated not knowing what to do and carried it to the cashier
with an inquiring face. She took it from me without saying
anything, but the guys serving the food behind the counter
started to giggle at me. They could read my facial expression
which said, ‘What’s going on here? I ordered food, not
excitement!’
After all of that, I realized that the timer was supposed to

alert me that my order was ready, as opposed to me standing at
the counter waiting. I could have easily sat down, used the
bathroom, shopped or did something else, until the alert came.
Wow! The Japanese really had all their t’s crossed and i’s
dotted and I was bowled over.
20
T.A. Hyman seen here preparing the Okonomiyaki batter for the grill
Japanese Slurping
One cultural eating style which stood out to me during my time

in Japan was how the Japanese drank 14 soup. One such
encounter was at my favourite Ramen shop in Kashiwa. You
entered the shop to place an order with persons seated inside,
then suddenly you would hear loud slurping sounds across the
shop, in spurts, then together like an organised symphony. I
refer to this as ‘Japanese slurping’ – almost like a snake
hissing, with a human voice.
I remember enquiring about it and being told that it was
the best way to cool the soup. Cool the what? This was really a
shocker for me because in Jamaica slurping is considered poor
social etiquette. You are supposed to drink soup as quietly as
possible, no matter how hot it is.
14
In Jamaican culture we generally use the term drink when consuming soup, as
opposed to eating soup.
21
To be honest, I really disliked hearing that sound and tried
my best to avoid eating in restaurants that served soup. I
remember feeling like a real Jamaican mother, who would slap
her child on her hand and say, “Stop Slurping!” This may not
have gone down well with the men in my favourite Ramen
shop, or the Japanese populace at large. So, in the best interest
and safety of both parties concerned, I chose take-out instead!
Alarmed!
In those first 30 days of arriving in Japan, I ate a lot at my

university cafeteria. The food was somewhat easier to identify
there compared to other eating spots and, for the most part, the
food tasted okay. I also cooked Jamaican food at home and
brought it to school for lunch as well. That food was courtesy of
my mother who ensured that Jamaican food was packed in my
suitcase. Thank you, mommy!
I cooked as much as possible, until I felt confident in
identifying food items in restaurants or the supermarket. Can
you imagine if I was eating snails, dogs, organs or even
private parts and didn’t know? When in a new culture, it is
very important to know what you are eating, and how to
communicate your desire for certain food items in the
language.
One day after having lunch in the university cafeteria, I
asked the cashier to direct me to the female restroom. She
could not understand English, so I kept on saying, ‘Woman or
Body,’ in English, and even used the word ‘Onna’ which means
woman in Japanese. Still, we weren’t getting anywhere, until I
almost bent over and pretended to urinate, but decided against
that. No laughing please, folks. The story is not yet over.
Eventually I found the bathroom, went in and relieved
myself. While attempting to flush, I pressed a button located
close to the toilet, which turned out to be the fire alarm!
Really? A fire alarm button near the toilet? What? As the
alarm rang, some persons started running from the bathroom
22
with their clothes partially on, screaming… That was a joke.

Gotcha! That
didn’t happen, just my active imagination at work.

I was the only one in the bathroom at the time and a lady
rushed in because of the loud beeping alarm. She started
pointing and speaking in Japanese while I froze in shock, not
sure of what to do next. She then realized it was a mistake, so I
just slipped passed her and ran out quickly, just in case the
campus security came to investigate. They weren’t gonna catch
me. I’m Jamaican and Usain Bolt is my ‘cousin!’
Ha! Talk about a new way of life, 8000 miles from home!
There I was, a Black woman living, studying and adjusting to
Japanese culture. Kaka Faat!15 What a 180-degree turn!
Those DARN CHOPSTICKS!
One major challenge that I faced during those first 30 days of

arriving and settling in Japan was using chopsticks (hashi in
Japanese). I was used to eating with a knife and fork in
Jamaica and so the transition to using two wooden sticks
proved difficult. Sticks? How were you supposed to eat with
those?
Eventually, I learnt that you hold the bottom stick steady
with the tip of your ring finger or some persons rest it on top of
their ring finger. Then you freely move the top stick with both
your middle and index fingers. The thumb also holds some of
the weight of the top stick and regulates or balances the
movement of the top stick. Only the pinky finger remains
somewhat free, but stays close to the ring finger for backup
support. What an art of eating!
I practised a lot at home, because I was offered chopsticks
when I ate out. Sometimes the restaurants had forks available,
but I felt very ‘conscious’ asking for one, as everyone around
me
15
A Jamaican exclamation of being overwhelmed when faced with an unforeseen
event/situation
23
T. A. Hyman
was using chopsticks. So, by cultural default, I resorted to using

chopsticks or pretended to use them. This proved to be very
24
frustrating at first, because I couldn’t finish my meals or enjoy

them at all.
Initially, I avoided eating out, choosing to cook at home
instead. It felt so overwhelming whenever it was time to use
those two wooden sticks. The multi-million-dollar question
when eating out was always: ‘How do you use those DARN
CHOPSTICKS?!’
The experience of using chopsticks aptly sums up my time
living and studying in Japan. At first there was major culture
shock, accompanied by feelings of fear and being overwhelmed;
then slowly but surely mastery came, as I began to understand
the culture and perfect how to use those very same chopsticks.
25
Takeaways
 Learn the principles on which a society is founded. In

Japan’s case, respect, trust and honour of fellow citizens
are key. This is especially so of persons in authority or
who are older or senior to you.
 When in a new culture, be mindful of the types of food
you eat and the likelihood that they may result in
unpleasant body reactions (i.e. bowel movements).
 When in a new culture, it is important to know what you
are eating and how to communicate your desire for
certain food items in that country’s language.
 Bring items16 such as food and medication from your
home country when relocating to a foreign country. You
will need it especially for those first thirty days of
arriving and settling.
 Try to ignore, avoid or cope with cultural practices that
may irritate you e.g. Japanese slurping.
 Be open to learning new ways of doing things. In my
case, it was using chopsticks to eat as opposed to a knife
and fork.
16
Items allowable through customs of the foreign country
26
NOTES
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27
28
CHAPTER 3:
The First 30 Days
— My Japanese Tutor
29
T. A. Hyman
My Japanese Tutor: Hara-San
One major challenge during those first 30 days of arriving in

Japan was settling. Adjusting to a new environment and way of
life was very stressful for me. To add to this stress, the
Japanese Tutor 17 assigned by the International Student Office
at the University of Tokyo to help me, spoke very little English.
This made communication between us very difficult, and
proved to be very frustrating. Remember, my master’s
programme would be taught in English, so I expected my tutor
to at least speak basic English. Trying to get answers to
questions about daily life was thus difficult, when talking to
Hara-San.
Panty lines - do not cross!
There were, however, several light moments shared with Hara-

San. He made me laugh and I really believe that laughing
helped me cope throughout my time in Japan. I remember once
going to the 100-yen shop (similar to a dollar store) viii with
Hara-San to get personal and household items. I wanted to ask
him if the store had ‘panty lines’18 but felt very uncomfortable
asking him.
It was also hard to communicate that in Japanese, so I
started making hand gestures and the whole thing just evolved
into a scene between us - almost like a ‘Karate Kid’ movie or a
dance performance. You can just imagine someone passing
through the aisles, wondering what the two of us were doing.
How does one say panty line in Japanese? Does one speak in a
slow, drawn-out English voice? Should I have pointed to my
bottom or private part?
17
The word ‘Tutor’ here does not have the same meaning as is common in Western
Culture. In Western Culture a tutor is someone assigned to help students with their
school work. The word tutor in this context however, refers to a ‘go to’ person for help
with adapting to life in Japan.
18
Underwear hanger
30
After some time, I gave up the ‘Karate Kid’ routine with

Hara-San and searched the entire store myself until I found it.
Then he said, “Ahhh” and used a word in Japanese. Don’t ask
me what that word was, because even to this today, I still don’t
know the word. 19 Talk about a language barrier folks! Ladies,
what gesture would you have used? I’m open to hearing. Email
me please: skolastikoasiscaribbean@gmail.com
Nonetheless, looking back at all those challenges (especially
the undergarment ones), I have come to realise the importance
of living in Japan. There was so much to learn, especially as it
relates to being calm, patient and viewing life from different
angles. That particular experience thus represents a significant
milestone, a turning point in my life, one for which I will be
forever grateful.
Hara-San learns to speak Jamaican Creole

(Patwa)
One day while paying my bills (all written in Japanese), I

decided to teach Hara-San some Jamaican Creole (Patwa). 20
ix
While standing in the line together, we saw a fat Japanese
man and I mentioned to Hara-San that it was rare to see fat
people in Japan. Trying my best to explain to him that the man
was not skinny, Hara-San just couldn’t understand. I then used
the word ‘thin’. He sort of understood what I meant because of
my usual hand gestures, but then the usual confusion followed.
When I couldn’t take it anymore, I blurted out “MAWGA!”
This is a Patwa word, used to describe persons who are skinny.
So, I asked him to pronounce the word and heard something
that sounded like “MUGAHHHHH”. You should have seen
Hara-San’s mouth. His voice also sounded like it came out of
19
Does anyone know what that word is in Japanese? Please email me.
20
Jamaican Patwa is a creole language spoken in Jamaica by over 90% of the
population.
31
T. A. Hyman
an alien movie like Star Wars, making me erupt into

uncontrollable laughter.
As time went by, I found out that the Japanese have
difficulty pronouncing some of the letters in the English
alphabet. One such letter is ‘W’ and so when Westerners
pronounce ‘W’ in English as ‘double u’, the Japanese
pronounce it ‘daburu’. This was probably the reason Hara-San
was unable to pronounce the W in the Patwa word ‘MAWGA’.
Additionally, the letter ‘L’ is not found in the Japanese
alphabet, so when westerners say LION in English for example,
the Japanese pronounce it as RION. They use the letter R in the
place of the L… lol… That was strange. What a cultural twist!
Driving with Hara-San
Upon the recommendation of my classmate, I decided to buy

furniture for my apartment from a Recycle shop. In Japan,
there is no shame in buying and using second-hand items and
so I love this about the culture. Besides, who wants to buy
brand new furniture in a foreign country? Unless you plan to
settle there permanently, I would not recommend it.
My classmate had also informed me that arrangements
could be made with the Recycle shop to borrow their vehicle
and deliver the items to my apartment myself. This would work
out way cheaper than to have the store deliver the items.
When I got to the Recycle shop, however, they said they
wouldn’t allow me to drive the vehicle (even though I had an
international license), because I was not insured. You may be
asking, why didn’t I just arrange with the store to deliver the
items instead? The catch was that if the store delivered them,
the cost would be equal to the value of the items purchased. If
the customer delivered them, they may only need to purchase
gas, if necessary. I was trying to save some money, so you could
clearly see my dilemma.
32
The employees at the store told me that if I had a Japanese

friend with a driver’s license, they could lend me the vehicle. I
contemplated whether to call Hara-San because he started to
claim he was busy all the time. In the end when I called, he
agreed to help.
When Hara-San arrived, they loaded the items on a mini
truck and he had to sign some papers and have his fingerprints
taken. His fingerprints? Can you believe that? I wonder which
store in Jamaica could be so bold as to ask their customers for
fingerprints?
The Japanese people were really serious about business,
and about the whole issue of trust and honesty. Looking back
on my time there, that was one of the valuable lessons learnt -
respect and honour of fellow citizens. They didn’t support
‘ginalship’21 as we would say in Jamaica. That particular
experience left an indelible mark in my mind, up until this day.
As we entered the mini-truck, Hara-San said to me:
“Hyman San - First - Seat belt please”.
I rolled my eyes and said, “yes,” without him seeing my
facial expression.
Then he turned to me and said, “Safety”.
I asked him if he could handle the mini truck which was a
standard shift vehicle and he said, “Yes”.
He then proceeded to move the truck, but there was a strain
on the vehicle; immediately I pointed to the emergency brake
and he said, “Yes”. So, by then, you could imagine what was
going through my mind? Helllooooo somebody!
While driving, Hara-San approached a traffic light and
came to a complete stop. When the light changed to green, the
car suddenly jumped forward, almost like a ‘Juk start’,22 as we
call it in Jamaica. This sudden jump forward is often the result
of using incorrect clutch manoeuvres with your foot on a
21
Person/persons engaged in deceitfulness or trickery
22
When a standard shift motor vehicle is unable to start, you can use the clutch as an
alternative to start it.
33
T. A. Hyman
standard shift vehicle. All he kept on saying was, “It’s a long

time… Ahhhhh long time”.
As upon cue, I started to pray immediately, because my
plan was never to be involved in a crash on any Japanese
roadway. In Jamaica, there is a lot of indiscipline on the
roadways which lead to many road accidents each year. I could
have crashed many times in Jamaica and become a statistic,
but it didn’t happen; so why come all the way to Japan to
crash? You must be crazy! Those thoughts raced constantly
through my head as he drove.
Every four-way intersection we passed, Hara-San would
slow down, look at me and say, “Safety, Hyman San, Safety!”
Despite my fear, anger and frustration, uncontrollable laughter
seized me. Looking back now, I realised that Hara-San was
really trying to make me laugh and loosen me up in the face of
adversity.
At one particular four-way intersection, he saw an old lady
trying to cross the road and bawled out in English, “Watch out
Grandma!” I was simply taken aback. For the most part,
humans are really the same everywhere you go. It doesn’t
matter about one’s race, language or income level. We tease
each other, challenge each other and really do stupid things at
times. Ahh, there were so many things to learn in Nihon
(Japan).
Hara-San Practises English
Eventually, we reached my apartment SAFELY, and then

started to lift the furniture from the mini truck together. We
struggled to carry the items up the stairs and Hara-San
appeared to be so weak. “Hara-San, you are a weak danshi’’,23 I
said. He started to repeat the word ‘weak’, because he didn’t
know what it meant. In slow drawn-out English I said, “You are
not a strong man”. He understood and we both laughed.
23
The Japanese word for man
34
While climbing the stairs, a cat ran by. Hara-San said

something in Japanese and I pointed and said, “pussy cat”. I
then asked him how they said pussy cat in Japanese. He
couldn’t understand, so he started to say, “Hussy”, “Jussy”
“Jussy cat?” … What? Really Hara-San? I said to myself.
I laughed so loudly that day, which probably made the
neighbours wonder what was happening outside. Then to add
Hara-San’s laughter to mine?! I don’t know how we didn’t drop
the furniture. Each day living in Japan got more and more
interesting.
Shortly, thereafter, I found out that the International
Students Office at my university was paying Hara-San to be my
Tutor. From that day forward, I would just call him up and say,
“I know you’re busy, but please find some time for me. Set
apart a day, thank you very much!”
“Him lucky, im betta help mi! A Jamaican uman inna Japan! Whoi di
language a kill mi!’’24
24
Hara-San would need to find more time to help me settle in Japan and tackle the
language barriers, whether he liked it or not!
35
Takeaways
 Learn the language of the culture you intend to live in.

Being able to communicate is a key component of living
in a foreign country.
 Laughing really helps relieve stress. It is a form of
medicine or therapy for the soul with no side effects.
Laughing really helped me cope a lot throughout my
time in Japan.
 There is no shame in purchasing second hand items
while living in a foreign country, especially if you don’t
plan to reside there permanently.
 Learn the principles on which a society is founded. In
Japan’s case, respect and trust are very important.
 For the most part, humans are really the same wherever
you go; this is seen in their reactions, responses,
expressions and daily interactions with each other.
36
NOTES
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37
38
CHAPTER 4:
Getting it Right
T. A. Hyman
Taking the Bus
In those first 30 days of arriving in Japan, I did a lot of

walking. I walked to the supermarket, I walked to the bank, I
walked around the university campus and to the train station,
but not to my university. I took the bus. To get on the bus,
commuters formed a line at the bus stop, and filed in one after
the other. There was a bus schedule at each bus stop and the
buses, for the most part, were on time. If you got to the bus
stop 2 or 5 minutes past the time of departure, the bus would
have left already.
Interestingly, at each stop light, the bus driver turned off
the engine. Then as soon as the light changed to green, the bus
driver would turn on the engine and proceed. I later learnt that
turning off the engine when the bus was not in motion was a
fuel saving measure and to reduce carbon emissions. This
practice really speaks to the ingenuity and innovativeness of
the Japanese. I’m not sure, though, how well this practice
would work in Jamaica, because as soon as the light changes to
green (especially in Kingston), you better move quickly or car
horns will be blaring loudly behind you.
In Japan, it was taboo to talk on the phone while on the bus
(or even on the train). You are expected to keep it on manner
mode (silent mode or on vibrate). This was taken very
seriously, so much so that I remember reading of an incident in
Japan Today,25 where two men fought on the train because one
was talking on the phone and disturbed the other person. x
Some Japanese, however, send texts, play games and fiddle
with their phone while on the bus. It was really a style in
Kashiwa where I lived, with persons typing away, looking at
pictures or surfing the net on their phones. All was well, it
appeared, as long as you didn’t talk on the phone.
25
An English Language news and commentary website
40
One day while on the bus, I decided to ‘show off’ by turning

on the TV on my phone, in manner mode of course. In 2008,
not many people had a TV on their phone, and so even though I
couldn’t understand what was being said - due to my limited
Japanese language ability - I was happy to brandish the latest
technology and act ‘bourgeois’ on the bus. After some time of
showing off and pretending to understand, I got bored and just
turned it off. No one apparently seemed to notice. But deep
down, I knew they were watching me.
Surplus Nurses and Doctors?
One thing I found strange in Japan, was that when someone

had a cold or the flu, they would wear a mask over their mouth
and nose. This mask resembled a surgeon’s mask or what we
refer to in Jamaica as ‘dust masks’. These were usually worn by
persons who worked in the hospitals, or who cleaned offices, as
well as garbage collectors in Jamaica.
When I first saw a lady at the airport in 2008 wearing a
surgeon’s mask, I thought to myself, ‘Why is that
nurse walking around with her luggage?’ I wondered if she
was rushing to the hospital to assist with a surgery, but perhaps
was running late. Maybe, she wanted to get into her
gear, before she reached the operating theatre?
On the bus, I would also see two or three people with their
masks on, and wondered, ‘Why are so many doctors on the
bus?’ On the other hand, though, I thought, ‘If I have a fainting
spell, at least, it wouldn’t be an issue to revive me.’
Fortunately, Hara-San cleared up this misconception for me by
explaining that those persons who wore masks had a cold and
were not doctors or nurses.
Their intention in wearing a mask was to not spread germs
or bacteria to others, which was in line with their cultural
mandate to honour their fellow citizens. I was very appreciative
of this explanation, as many times I had seen persons walking
41
T. A. Hyman
on the street with masks on and had thought, ‘It seems as if

Doctors are underpaid in Japan.’
Wearing a mask daily in Jamaica - outside of being in the
health care system, cleaning services or waste disposal
industries was simply strange to see. It would be seen as
somewhat ridiculous by the populace. So, upon my return to
Jamaica in 2011, you would never find me wearing a mask if I
had a cold.
Fast forward to 2020. Things changed dramatically with the
outbreak of the coronavirus disease globally. The Jamaican
government mandated that its citizens wear masks. That was
strange to many Jamaicans and some persons found it very
difficult to adjust to wearing a mask. This was understandable
then, because as a culture, we were not used to covering our
faces. This practice, however, was not new to me, or even
seemed strange, having witnessed people wearing masks in
Nihon (Japan) before.
Living in a foreign country will expose you to cultural
practices that at first you are not accustomed to. The benefit of
this is that you gain exposure, become flexible and eventually
learn to adapt. Upon reflection, I believe that being exposed to
the different challenges while in Japan, enabled me to cope
better with the coronavirus outbreak in Jamaica.
Garbage Disposal GRRS!!!
Disposing of garbage proved very challenging for me while in

Japan. Everything had to be separated and there were special
bags for different kinds of garbage. Pink bags were for kitchen
and bathroom waste, green bags for paper, newspapers and
cardboards and yellow bags for plastics. There was also a
schedule whereby certain garbage would be collected on
specific days and at set times per week or month.
Failure to comply with sorting guidelines, could lead to
reprimands, even by your neighbours. I remember one such
42
incident - being chastised by my neighbour (in Japanese) for

not sorting the garbage properly. That encounter was very
intense, especially with one person speaking straight Japanese
and the other speaking English, Jamaican Creole and a little
Japanese all at once. You can just imagine the autoclapse!26
Despite that encounter and my frustration, that was one
aspect of the Japanese culture I admired a lot. At one of the
companies that I worked in Jamaica, we had tried to institute
some of those garbage disposal practices, but it had proved to
be challenging. Most of the employees were not consistent and
had to be constantly reminded about sorting guidelines.
The Japanese, on the other hand, took garbage disposal
up ‘one notch’. I remember vividly getting regular emails from
the International Student Office at my university reminding
students about garbage sorting guidelines. The Japanese were
strong on compliance because deviation was frowned upon.
Garbage disposal, therefore, took on a whole new meaning
for me in Japan. If I was cooking and wanted to
throw something away, it became a mental quiz: Which bag
should you use? Has the cap been removed from the bottle?
What type of plastic is it? Was the container washed out
before disposing of it? What day of the week was it? If I
bought an oversized item, the next question was, where should
the packaging materials go? Even while combing my hair or
using the bathroom, the question of sorting and disposing of
garbage came to mind.
Imagine a scenario like this in a household with a Japanese
male newly married to a Jamaican woman who had never
experienced Japanese culture before:
“Honey, I’m home.” (Husband walking through the door)
“Sweetheart, I’m cooking your favourite meal.” (Wife looks
with love at her husband).
26
A clash of opinions
43
T. A. Hyman
“Honey, did you wash out the cans, remove the cork from
the bottles and separate the inorganic matter from the organic
ones?” (Husband asks with concern)
“Huh? what?” (Wife is astonished)
It’s my active imagination at work again, but come on folks!
What a transition! I remember contemplating buying items or
eating certain foods in Japan, based on how best to dispose of
the packaging materials, versus the priority of eating to live. Oh
Lord! Caramba!
Upon reflection, though, this Japanese practice is excellent
because consumers share in the burden of garbage disposal,
forcing them to make better consumption choices. In my
opinion, if Jamaica practised this method of garbage disposal,
less garbage would be sent to our landfills and so the arsonists
at the Riverton City Dump, 27would not be able to light so many
fires, that so negatively impact the health of Jamaicans.
The flip side of this, however, is that the Japanese use a lot
of packaging materials for their products. In fact, in some
cases, too much. I noticed that they have a lot of specialised
wrapping, particularly individual wrapping. So, if you have for
example six muffins in a bag, each muffin will have its own
individual wrapping, whereas in Jamaica or the USA, most of
the times, all the muffins would be in one bag, with no
individual wrapping. This meant that the Japanese would have
more items to dispose of.
Could this be one of the reasons why they had to enforce
such strict garbage disposal guidelines? Why were
manufacturers allowed to produce so much packaging
materials? Or was it that this type of packaging was desired by
the Japanese consumer for health or aesthetic purposes? These
questions can be discussed in another forum, but the bottom
line is that a change in my lifestyle and usual modus operandi
was required to live in Japan.
27
A major garbage disposal site in Jamaica
44
To be faced with a new culture, its social norms,

particularly those two darn wooden sticks was overwhelming.
But would I cope or adjust? My mind kept on replaying the
words heard on the plane, when travelling to Japan, “In
preparation for landing, please fasten your seatbelts and bring
your seatbacks forward”. They were right both literally and
figuratively. I had better put on that seatbelt and bring my
seatback forward, because the experience of a lifetime lay
ahead of me.
45
Takeaways
 Doing things in an orderly manner is an important

component of Japanese culture e.g. taking the bus and
sorting garbage.
 In Japanese culture being on time is very important.
Lateness is deemed as unacceptable. Being on time is a
sign of respect, and an indicator that you not only
respect the person, but their time as well.
 When living in Japan, you can read the Japan Timesxi
which is one of Japan’s largest and oldest newspapers.
You can also read Japan Todayxii, the No. 1 English
Language news and commentary website. These papers
are your best friends because the articles are written in
English and carry the latest happenings in Japan.
 Never assume, ASK! If you are unsure about something,
instead of relying on your own judgement, try to seek
out answers.
 Japanese norms are so crafted to consider their fellow
citizens. The focus is on caring for each other and not
just self-interest.
 Living in a foreign country widens your scope of cultural
practices and can cause you to be more flexible and
adaptable. In some cases, it can even help you better
cope during a crisis.
 Find out about how a country disposes of its garbage
and the implications for you as a temporary resident.
Some nations are stricter than others. The important
thing, though, is that you obey the guidelines.
46
NOTES
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47
CHAPTER 5:
The Next 30 Days
49
T. A. Hyman
My Japanese Jitensha
When I first arrived in Japan my daily commute to the

University of Tokyo (Todai) was by bus. Upon the advice of my
classmates, as well as observing how the Japanese lived, I
decided to get a bicycle. Besides, it was way cheaper than the
bus, and there were health benefits from the exercise. So, by
November 2008, I started riding frequently to the University of
Tokyo, on my new Jitensha (bicycle).
T.A. Hyman coming from the

supermarket on her Jitensha
Bicycles are used a lot by the Japanese to go to the

supermarket, the train station and places that are within
relatively close proximity. It was part of Japanese life, so much
so, that mothers had baby seats with seatbelts on their bicycle
for their young. Professors rode bicycles to their universities
and I, a foreign national, eventually followed suit.
The first week of riding was hard, though, because it took
approximately 30 minutes to get to Todai from my apartment
(Map 2). It was hard to manoeuvre on the roadway, and so I
rode with some of my male classmates, Dagne (from Ethiopia)
and Jose (from Bolivia).
After some time, I started riding by myself, even in the cold,
and you should have seen me - a Jamaican woman with a big
50
bag on her back, three layers of clothing, a hat, scarf, gloves

and some heavy shoes that my sister sent me from the USA.
Riding in the cold wasn’t all that bad, because I didn’t really
feel it after some time. So, you can call that speedy
acclimatization. I was, however, a sight to behold, especially to
the Japanese. According to them, I was dressed for winter and
winter had not yet begun.
T.A. Hyman dressed for the upcoming

Japanese winter in 2008
51
T. A. Hyman
I also became a laughing stock among some of my class-

mates, because of the amount of clothes I wore. “What is going
to happen to you come December?” they asked. In Ja-
maican Patwa my exclamation was, "“lef mi!”28 My mother had
told me
28
Please leave me alone. I will be okay.
52
T. A. Hyman
to pad up, because “ef yuh catch a cold, dem nah pay di medical
bill dem!29 You should have seen those same classmates two
weeks later. Everybody was padded up because of the cold,
even the Japanese, while for me, adjusting to the weather had
already begun.
So, from a bed to the floor, a fork to chopsticks, and then a
car to a bicycle in Japan? Can you believe it? The last time I
remember riding a bicycle was during my childhood years. In
Japan, however, many people rode bicycles from their
childhood, straight into their adult years.
In Jamaica, ‘God help you’ if you can cross a main road on a
bicycle. You would have to be very skilled, otherwise you run
the risk of being mowed down. To me, Jamaican roads are not
really made for motorcycles, much less bicycles, with most
persons driving cars in the city or taking public transportation.
Riding a bicycle in the city is, therefore, considered to be
socially unacceptable by some in Jamaica. There is a social
stigma attached to persons who ride bicycles, associating them
with a lower socio-economic class. 30 If, for example, a well-
dressed professional woman were to ride a bicycle in Kingston,
it would seem strange, and she might get a lot of stares from
pedestrians and drivers alike.
When I chose to walk around Kingston, people would
sometimes ask, “Where is your car?” Sometimes I felt like
answering and saying, “Can’t I walk, people? Walking is great
exercise and reduces my carbon emissions to help save the
environment. Thank you very much!”
What I enjoyed most about Japan, though, was that I didn’t
have to face this kind of social stigma, because riding a bike
was the norm and I grew to love it. The experience of biking
was very liberating for me, and so I rode my Jitensha
everywhere - to the supermarket, to my university, the train
station, the mall and anywhere I could.
29
If I got sick, none of my classmates would cover my medical expenses
30
Exceptions to this may be if you are involved in cycling as a sport
53
T. A. Hyman
No bus fare, no taxi fare, no car fuel costs and lots of

exercise. When I returned to Jamaica from Japan in 2011, one
thing I really missed was my bicycle - and have been tempted
on many occasions to buy a bicycle and ride around Kingston.
There is simply too much traffic!
The Meiji Jingu Festival
Shinto is one of Japan’s oldest religions. Meiji Jingu is a

famous Shinto shrine, dedicated to the souls of the Emperor
and Empress, and is found in a heavily forested area in busy
Tokyo. The Meiji Jingu Festival xiii celebrates the life of the
Japanese Emperor Meiji and his wife Empress Shokan and
introduces visitors to a wide range of Japanese performances
and martial arts.
My classmates and I, along with other international
students from other universities, went to this festival by train
in November 2008 (Map 2). One thing that interested me a lot
while there, was the martial arts demonstrations and how
skilled those men were. It seemed as if they were dancing in
step to a rhythm, while using their swords. Their movements
were very sharp and synchronised, yet fluid.
As my classmate and I stood in the crowd waiting to see an
archery demonstration, my interest slightly waned and turned
into displeasure. We noticed that a Japanese man was standing
very close behind us. The crowd was thick, so we decided to
move forward. When we moved forward, we realized that the
same man was still close to us. I began to make subtle signals to
alert my classmate of the uncomfortable situation.
Interestingly, the first thing the brain does when confronted
with such a situation is to deny it.
You basically move into a questioning mode to make sure,
because you don’t want to misjudge a situation. This is possibly
why some assaults are not stopped early, because people
cannot believe that a particular situation is actually unfolding
right before their eyes.
54
We then moved forward again and the man came even

closer, right behind me. To be on the safe side, I started to
yawn and stretch out my hands, saying, “sumimasen”31
hinting to him that he was too close. That level of politeness,
however, was not working, so I got very mad, but still didn’t
want to create a scene.
My classmate looked puzzled, as if trying to figure out what
the man was doing in broad daylight. She was, however, much
smaller than I and possibly couldn’t help me should the
situation escalate. At that very moment, our group leader came
for us and I turned around, shoved the man out of the way and
walked along briskly. I didn’t even look behind me.
That Japanese man had better understand that I am a
descendant of black kings and queens, some of whom were
taken from parts of West Africa by Europeans and made into
slaves to work on sugar plantations in the Caribbean (Map 1).xiv
My foreparents endured a harsh middle passage journey on
slave ships and were oppressed through slavery for over 400
years.xv
After a long and endless fight, they received their freedom
in the 19th century. In the 21st century, there was no way that
I, a descendant of Africans, was going to be abused again. I was
not a pushover!
In the end, I felt as if a battle had been won for women
across world - those who have to face assault and unwanted
advances daily. That day, I was sure that Bob Marley’s song,
‘Get up, Stand up! Stand up for your rights, Get up, Stand up,
Don’t give up the fight was playing in my head like background
music.
There I was, thousands of miles away from home, a black
woman, a Jamaican now living and studying in Japan,
adjusting to a new culture and way of living. What was that
Japanese man
31
Excuse me
55
T. A. Hyman
thinking? Kaka Faat! Mout’ a Fraat!32 Nuh ramp wid mi!33
The Japanese Toilet
In November 2008, I also went on another trip, that was

organised by the International Student Office at my University,
to Hakone. Hakonexviis located in Kanagawa Prefecture (Map 2
& 3), one of Japan’s 47 prefectures. A prefecture is similar to
what we call parishes in Jamaica or states in the USA.
Kanagawa Prefecture is about 1.5 hours by train from Tokyo
and is a popular site for tourists and Japanese alike. This trip
involved visiting an onsen (hot spring), sailing on Lake
Ashinoko and taking the Komagatake Ropeway to the top of the
mountain, experiencing lovely views of Mt. Fuji, or Fuji San as
the Japanese call it (Map 2). This is a must-see spot when
visiting Japan.
On the way back, our bus stopped at a rest point where
several of us disembarked to use the restroom. When we went
into the female restroom, there was a long line, but I saw a
shorter line on the other side of the restroom and quickly ran
over there. It was imperative to beat persons to the toilet; I
wanted desperately to urinate.
Well, in the end it turned out to be another shocker for me,
which I refer to as the ‘free my pee shocker!’ As I opened the
door, I saw basically a hole in the ground, with a carved-out
catchment area inside. This made me freeze, not knowing how
to use it, or what to do next. Should I exit? Or ask someone in
the line, how it was used? What a dilemma!
That was my first time seeing anything like it, but my
body’s liquid waste kept crying: ‘let me out!’ So, like a good ‘ole’
Jamaican, who had lived in rural areas and used pit toilets 34
before, I crouched over and released. Sometime later, in
discussions with friends, I was told that I had actually crouched
32
I’m getting upset.
33
Don’t play around with me / Don’t mess with me
34
A type of toilet which has a hole in the ground
56
in the wrong direction. The wrong direction? Which way

should I have crouched folks? Please email me and let me
know, because that experience left me baffled.
A Japanese Toilet
What a culture shock! I was so glad that it was only a
number 1, what if it was a number 2? I hate thinking about it
up to this day, as this toilet encounter stands out the most in
my mind, about Japan.
It was when I exited the restroom that the realisation hit
me, of what had just occurred. The lines were longer on the
other side of the restroom because they had western toilets like
what I was used to back home in Jamaica. The side I was
currently on was free-flowing, because they had the Japanese
toilets. Darn it!35
From that day forward, I made every effort to check for
western toilets whenever I was in public, ensuring that such an
experience never recurred. You can just imagine me, going out
with persons to a function or even a restaurant and when
35
An exclamation of frustration and regret
57
T. A. Hyman
everyone was waiting on the food to be served, or the event to

start, I was inspecting restrooms. Like seriously? You bet!
58
Japan was indeed a complete 180-degree turn. A different

way of thinking, operating and releasing was the order of the
day. Being 8000 miles away from Jamaica proved difficult at
times, but I was determined to make the best of my time in
Nihon.
59
Takeaways
 Try to identify frugal ways to live while residing in a

foreign country e.g. riding a bicycle instead of taking a
bus.
 Get appropriate clothing for the type of weather you
may face.
 You may face inappropriate behaviour from some
citizens, when living in a different country / culture.
Take the necessary steps to protect yourself. Don’t feel
intimidated or go into self-denial mode.
 Most times, it is when you are taken from your familiar
places and are thrust into the unknown, that you learn
about yourself and the personal power you possess.
 Hakone in Kanagawa Prefecture (Map 2) is a must-see
tourist spot when visiting Japan.
 There are ways of doing things that are unique to each
culture. It may come as a shock to you as a non-citizen,
but is considered normal by the citizens of that country
i.e. using the Japanese toilet.
60
NOTES
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61
62
CHAPTER 6:
Not going as planned!
63
T. A. Hyman
64
Frustrated with Hara-San
As the days and weeks rolled by, Hara-San still had less and
less time for me, always claiming to be very busy. I remember
once he accompanied me to the Post Office to pay my bills. He
told me what to say in Japanese in response to the questions
asked by the postal clerk. This caused quite a queue to build up
behind me, with anxious Japanese persons waiting to be
served. All of that could have been avoided if he had spoken
directly to the clerk instead.
You can just imagine me trying to pronounce the words in
time, to answer the clerk? It was simply a spectacle, a sight to
behold, and I was not impressed by that impromptu Japanese
language lesson! Remember, I arrived to Japan in October
2008, and this happened in November 2008, so please don’t
tell me he was trying to help me acclimatize, or put me through
some process of language immersion. I was in the infant stage,
still on breast milk, not weaned and definitely not ready for
solid food.
So, in true Jamaican style I decided that ‘mi done wid him!’36
I also decided to pay a visit to the International Student Office
to see if I could get additional assistance and hopefully be
assigned another Tutor. I was going to have to find someone
else to help me, or do it on my own, somehow.
Bike Hogs
As mentioned in Chapter 5, bicycles were used frequently in

Japan. There were, however, a lot of bicycle hogs aka ‘bike
hogs’ on the road. I rode to my university every day and you
never knew what to expect from the bike hogs each day.
I could almost hear that still but audible voice in my head
every time I would head to the university saying: Beware of
those BICYCLE HOGS! You just had to always be on alert, by
36
I will not ask him to help me with anything again.
65
T. A. Hyman
looking left, then right, because they would force themselves in

front of you, overtake carelessly and even hit you!
It almost felt like driving a car and manoeuvring along the
roads in Kingston, Jamaica, with some of those undisciplined
drivers. All that was needed was to get a rear-view mirror and
indicators for my bicycle to deal with those ‘bike hogs’ on the
side-walks.
On the other hand, though, it seemed as if bicycle riders in
Japan had plenty of rights. Motorists would slow down for
bicycle riders, allowing them to cross the road. It was as if they
wanted to ensure they didn’t hit us. They approached riders
with caution - the same way that they did for the school
children in yellow hats, walking in groups.
Maybe there were serious penalties for hitting bicycle riders
or increased insurance premiums, I don’t know. The irony,
however, was that on one hand you had cautious motorists on
the roadways, but on the other, the rise of bike hogs, wreaking
havoc on the side-walks and sections of the road. You simply
can’t win them all!
Bike Crash
My first bicycle accident happened in front of a gas station. It

was so unexpected and I almost asked for license and
registration, but did a quick mental check. My classmate
crashed into me when he was crossing the road and I fell to the
ground, but didn’t get hurt. He, however, injured his knee. I
had seen the collision coming and put my hands out to land on
my side. Then I rolled on to my back with such grace and
precision like ‘a swan’. All those dance classes at the Edna
Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts and the
Praise Academy of Dance in Kingston came in handy.
Living in Japan and adjusting to a new environment was a
major shift in my life and brought its fair share of challenges.
Nonetheless I enjoyed every moment of it. I just loved the
66
mental, social and physical freedom that the Jitensha gave

me.
Reflecting on my time in Japan, has made me realise my

role
as a FORERUNNER - always slightly ahead of where the
current system is, always wanting to experience new things and
tackle new challenges - raising the bar. You could say that I’m
good at breaking new ground and traversing unknown
territories. Yeah, that’s me, that’s who God created me to be,
and there is no one else out there like me. I am an original.
Japanese Dogs
The Japanese have a special love for dogs. They treat them like
part of their family. Dogs wore sweaters, shirts, shorts, shoes,
hats and even RAINCOATS. I had never seen a dog in raincoat
up to that point, but my classmate told me that she saw one
and it would only be a matter of time before I saw it too. In my
mind I thought, ‘Wasn’t the purpose of the rain, to help them
get a bath?’
What ‘took the cake’, was when another classmate informed
me about seeing a dog being pushed in a baby’s pram, 37 by an
old lady. I told her that she was lying, and have never seen that
while living in Japan. A pram? So, the dog couldn’t exercise
and function like a regular dog? Words simply cannot express
my thoughts on this. I remember once seeing a man stoop in
front of a convenience store, 38 bite off a piece of his sandwich
and spit it on the ground for his dog to eat. As a passer-by, that
was surprising to see and reminded me of feeding a baby.
On another occasion, I saw a man feeding his dog with
a spoon. It looked as if he was giving him something creamy
like ice cream to eat.
37
A child’s stroller
38
Konbini in Japanese
67
T. A. Hyman
Don’t get me wrong, I love dogs. They are actually my

favourite animals and as a child I grew up with many of them:
68
A dog being fed ice cream

with a spoon
Chico, Nip, Rex, you name them. As a child, I remember

playing with dogs, taking them to the Vet and treating their
cuts with wound powder. We bathed them ever so often, and
made ‘turn cornmeal’39 for their meals, because we couldn’t
afford puppy chow for them at that time. They also stayed
outside the house, lest my mother had a fit if they were seen in
the house.
We didn’t walk dogs in the mornings and there was no leash
for them. We called them by their names and they knew their
names and came. They would run around our yard, but knew
not to leave our home, especially through the main gate.
Occasionally, they would defy our order and jump over the
fence at the side of the house, but eventually had to come home
for food.
If they didn’t return we would go looking for them, ready to
reprimand them for leaving home. They ‘pooped’ around the
39
A dish made with cornmeal, water, salt and select spices. Other ingredients like
salted fish and coconut milk may be added. In Jamaica Creole (Patwa), it is ‘Tun
Caanmeal’
69
T. A. Hyman
yard, because they were not potty trained, but somehow, they
knew to ‘poop’ in the bushes or at the back of the house.
Sometimes, they suffered from amnesia and pooped anywhere.
As soon as we finished playing with the dogs outside, my
mother ensured that we washed our hands before we could go
into the house. She did not want us to catch any germs or have
any trace of dogs inside the house. That was how we did it at
my home in Jamaica. So, you can just imagine how shocked I
was to see dogs living inside houses, potty trained, wearing
clothes, much less raincoats, on a leash and eating special dog
food in Japan…it was simply unbelievable!
A Dog Trimming Hotel, huh?

One day while grocery shopping at a mall relatively close to my
apartment, I observed in a nearby building some men in white
coats giving some dogs a pedicure and blow drying the hair on
their bodies. The sign on the building read: Dog Trimming
Hotel. A dog trimming hotel? What was that? A beauty salon
for dogs? There were barbers working there too?
I just could not believe it, especially because there were
times when I could barely afford to go to the beauty salon in
Jamaica and had to ask friends to do my hair. Right in front of
me, however, were dogs in their own salon. Wow! Each day in
Japan got more and more interesting.
A Dog getting groomed at a Dog Trimming

Hotel in Kashiwa, Chiba
70
Earthquake Tremors
From when I just arrived to Japan in October 2008, up to

December of that same year, I felt earthquake tremors. Those
tremors were not daily events, but happened more frequently
than what I was used to in Jamaica. When it first happened, I
was at the university in my laboratory and the building swayed
from left to right. That was very scary. No one in the room
moved; they just kept on working as if everything was normal.
During orientation at the University of Tokyo, we were
actually told about the occurrences of earthquakes and the
relevant safety procedures. It is, however, one thing to learn
about earthquakes and another to experience them. How was I
going to cope with those sporadic tremors?
As someone trained in the field of Disaster Management,
when there is an earthquake, my instinctive response is to find
an exit, evacuate the building or go into rescue mode. Was I
going to do the same thing in Japan? I wondered. I wasn’t so
sure. One thing for sure, but unknown to me at the time, was
that the 2011 Tōhoku Earthquake lay ahead and I had better be
prepared.
71
Takeaways
 Learn how to communicate effectively using the

language of the country that you live in. This involves
basic things such as conducting business at the post
office, shopping at the supermarket, carrying out
financial transactions at the bank or asking for
directions.
 Obey the rules of the road and always be cautious when
using roadways in foreign countries.
 How animals are cared for and treated, varies by

country and culture.
 While living in a foreign country, you may face

challenges that you didn’t plan for or expect
(unforeseen contingencies). Learn to adapt.
72
NOTES
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73
T. A. Hyman
74
CHAPTER 7:
Slowly but Surely…
75
T. A. Hyman
University Work
By November 2008, we started to receive a lot of presentations

to do in class. Students were the ones doing most of the
presentations; the Japanese professors didn’t do much
lecturing at all. That was new to me, as I was accustomed to
having professors lecture back home in Jamaica.
My programme was a master’s degree in Sustainability
Science in the department of environment systems. So the
question for me was: What is Sustainability Science? I really
had no clue, folks. As I mentioned in the introduction of this
book, my desire had been to study in Europe, not Japan. Japan
was my plan B. So when my application to Todai was
successful, my focus had been on trying to reach Japan in time
to start the programme, with little or no time to do research on
my programme.
As time progressed, though, it became clearer to me that
Sustainability involved finding a balance between the
environment, society and the economy, especially as it relates
to national development. Over the years, man has not coexisted
well with nature. That was mainly because of a profit-driven
mindset in business operations, with little consideration for
preserving the natural environment. That in turn had
detrimental impacts on human health, water supply, air
quality, agriculture and energy, among others.
The lack of emphasis on environmental preservation was
also having a negative impact on business bottom lines and
profit margins, ultimately impacting the amount of money
collected by governments via taxes. Sustainability thus involves
finding the right balance between man, the environment and
that ‘everlasting dollar!’
After figuring out what Sustainability Science was, I became
very much interested in this field of study since working in the
Tourism sector as an Environment, Health and Safety Manager
with the Sandals group of hotels. This group recognized the
impact that human pollution had on the degradation of
beaches,
76
coral reefs and natural habitats over the years. Importantly

also, they realised that climate change would worsen an already
bad situation, potentially reducing the revenues from tourist
bookings.
Tourism is the number one foreign exchange earner in
Jamaica, accounting for approximately 10% of Gross Domestic
Product (pre-covid). It is thus very simple: if we destroy the
beaches and scenery that tourists visit Jamaica to enjoy, then
eventually there will not be much business left. This
understanding caused me to focus my research at the
University of Tokyo on Sustainable Tourism Options for
Jamaica, in light of climate change and environmental
degradation.
In my multi-cultural class setting, with students from
across the world, the Japanese Professors asked us a lot about
the environmental issues in our home countries. I tried my best
to represent Jamaica in the best light possible, while some of
my classmates would spread, what I call ‘dirty laundry’ about
their countries.
To me, highlighting too much negative about your country
will leave a bad image in the minds of others. I could have been
wrong, but that is how I saw it and I chose to stay on that
particular course when it came to sharing about my country.
Jamaica already had enough negative stereotypes and stigmas
worldwide, so why come to Japan and talk about the ills of my
country. No! I was going to be a true ambassador for my
country by focusing on the positives.
Don’t get me wrong though. I didn’t paint a picture of
paradise either. I selected specific environmental problems to
speak about, especially those related to the Tourism and Water
sectors in Jamaica. Folks, having gone to Japan on the heels of
the Beijing Olympics in 2008, where Jamaica secured the titles
for the fastest man and woman in track and field, patriotism
took on a new level for me. I wasn’t going to ruin that image by
highlighting the negatives.
77
T. A. Hyman
Academic Speed Dating
During that time, I also had to find an Academic Supervisor for

my sustainability programme, which proved to be challenging.
A listing of potential supervisors (professors) was made
available to us, from which we could review and make
appointments to see each of them.
During those appointments you would discuss your
research topic and hope that the professor would be interested
in your work. Once the sentiments were mutual, you had a
match for a supervisor. Otherwise, you would have to continue
to meet with professor after professor until someone else
showed interest. This is similar to the concept of ‘speed-dating’,
and so I jokingly refer to that experience as ‘Academic Speed
Dating’.
That period was filled with a lot of anxiety and tension for
me, having to speak with several professors. It was so difficult
trying to explain, or defend the importance of your research to
persons who seemed uninterested, or had no clue about what
you desired to do. At times, it felt like I just had to work with
what was available, and not necessarily what was the best fit.
In the end though, Sawa Sensei agreed to supervise me,
and so my anxiety dissipated. A couple months later, I was also
fortunate to receive a co-supervisor, Ita Sensei. Both
supervisors provided guidance for my research topic
throughout my time at Todai. There were challenges at times.
However, in the end it all worked out.
Eating, Learning and Sleeping Milestones
By November into December 2008, I was able to communicate

more clearly with the cashier in the university cafeteria about
the food on the buffet line. I could understand more of the
Japanese words spoken by the cashier. The food was so
different in Japan that it was important to know exactly what I
was eating.
78
The cashier would tell me what was on the menu e.g.

sakana
79
T. A. Hyman
(fish), butaniku (pork) and yasai (vegetables). At times

though, I still struggled to understand the names of the other
items on the menu. It was however a major accomplishment for
me when I was able to comfortably identify more food items.
At the start of the semester, I enrolled in weekly lunch time
Japanese classes at my university to learn to speak the
language as quickly as possible. That was possibly one of the
reasons for me being able to identify food items more easily in
the cafeteria.
The Japanese classes were, however, becoming harder and
harder. I was struggling to keep up during the class because
every time we met for class, the Japanese teacher started a new
chapter of our text book. They claimed that was the beginner’s
class, but obviously they didn’t tell the teacher! She taught so
fast that, upon reflection, she taught all 46 characters for one of
the three Japanese writing systems, in two hours. Tasukette!40
The Japanese writing system or alphabet comprises of three
writing systems: Hiragana, Katakana and Kanji.xvii In our
beginner Japanese classes we were focused on Hiragana and
Katakana, because Kanji was for the more advanced class.
Hiragana is commonly used and represents the standard form
of Japanese writing. It can be used on its own, or together with
Kanji to form words, and it is the first form of writing that
Japanese children learn.
Katakana, on the other hand, is used to signal to readers
that the word is foreign and has been adapted into the
Japanese language from another language. It does take some
time to learn the 92 characters that comprise both Hiragana
and Katakana characters, so you can imagine how fast my
Japanese teacher was going.
Nonetheless, I must have been learning something by just
sitting in those classes, because I could identify Japanese food
items, to keep me alive each day in Japan.
40
Help me
80
An Example of a Hiragana Chart
I, however, still struggled with the use of those darn

chopsticks! I was getting better compared to when I first
arrived in Japan and was now able to eat a basic meal with rice,
using chopsticks. The Japanese rice sticks together (forming a
clump), making it very easy to grasp it with chopsticks. In
Jamaica, those chopsticks would not have worked, because our
rice is not sticky.
81
T. A. Hyman
The rice that we consume in Jamaica is very different from

that in Japan. You can literally count each grain of rice, when it
is in your plate and, importantly, we use a knife and fork to eat
it. But there I was in Japan, eating with different utensils and
learning how to adapt.
One thing that I couldn’t get used to in Japan, however, was
sleeping on the floor. The futon (thin mattress) was too thin
and caused me intense back pain. Eventually, I had to get a bed
from another foreign national living in Japan. That was one of
the best investments I made in Japan, and each day that I woke
up, my body thanked me for it.
Chivalry
Another thing that was hard for me to adjust to in Japan was

the lack of courtesies extended to women by men in public.
Most men I encountered did not allow ladies to go through the
door or exit the elevators first. Instead, they would push ahead
of us, and it just seemed disrespectful to me.
One morning while riding my bike to school, a man was
jogging along the same pathway, coming from the opposite
direction. I steered my bike towards the left corner so that he
could go around me on the right, but instead he didn’t yield. He
remained on my left and just looked at me, as if to say “What
are you doing? Don’t you see me?”
That was my first encounter with such a cultural practice
and I almost hit the man with my bike, but not intentionally.
Thereafter, I experienced it in the elevators and on the
stairways in buildings. For this reason, I want to take the time
out to salute our Jamaican men, Caribbean men, for the
courtesies they extend to women each day. It is truly
appreciated.
To be honest, how I coped with that practice thereafter was
not to yield. This is indeed controversial, I know. However, I
decided to keep going until the men moved out of the way. I
82
still tried to assess the situation before going full speed ahead
on my bike. When I made the decision, however, not to yield,
most men moved. You can imagine seeing a robust, black
young woman, coming towards you at full speed, with two or
three layers of clothes on in fall. You had better move!
There was, however, one case where a man did not move
and wrapped his body in the corner, making me have to stop
suddenly right in front of him. What an autoclapse on that
blessed day! Call the cops please! We simply paused and
looked at each other, eye to eye, for a long moment and then I
continued on my way. Talk about a new way of life in Japan.
My God, each day I wondered what would happen next…
That Train!
I was downright scared to take the train by myself. It just

seemed very complex and even more so because I had little
confidence in my Japanese language ability.
Most of the train station attendants (eki-in in Japanese)
didn’t speak English, so looking back, I realised that my fear
was based on getting lost and being unable to communicate
with the attendants or another Japanese person. Consequently,
I relied heavily on travelling with my classmates - but that
arrangement would eventually fall apart. My classmate’s
schedules varied and travelling on my own became imminent.
Well that day came on December 12, 2008 when I had to
travel to the University of Tokyo, Hongo Campus, to open a
bank account. There are five campuses of the University of
Tokyo: Hongo, Kashiwa, Komaba, Shirokane and Nakano.
Hongo is the main campus. My university campus is located in
Kashiwa, and is approximately an hour away from the Hongo
campus, via train (Map 2). Prior to that day, I had only been to
the Hongo campus once, and never to the other campuses.
Hara-San remained busy and wouldn’t accompany me to
far distances. I had to decide there and then to go to Tokyo and
83
T. A. Hyman
open the bank account on my own. So, I printed off the

instructions from the Hyperdia website xviii describing how to
get to the Hongo campus by train from Kashiwa. That English
transportation website, Hyperdia, listed all the train schedules
and gave directions to basically anywhere in Japan via train.
Scared as hell, I proceeded to the train station in Kashiwa and
successfully found my way to the Hongo Campus in Tokyo
(Map 2).
That day was a significant one for me while living in Japan.
That major milestone was very liberating, because thereafter, I
no longer feared taking the train by myself. In Jamaica we
would say ‘bayji kite buss weh. 41 Once you could understand the
maps and train schedules and had some idea of where you were
headed, you could find your way in Japan.
Remember in Chapter 1 when I said, if you received
instructions from a trusted Japanese source to ‘take eight steps
forward, then turn right, and take another four steps, after
which you would see a light post,’ the light post would be
there? Well, that was the case. From that day forward,
Hyperdia became my best friend and I never missed my way
when using that site. Like the American Express credit card
advertisement, never leave home without it, that was what
Hyperdia was to me. Guess what? Those darn chopsticks were
becoming a little easier to use.
41
A person’s confidence level has greatly increased. All reservations gone.
84
T.A. Hyman on a Japanese Train
Bicycle Drama
On my way back from the Hongo Campus in Tokyo, I went to

retrieve my bicycle at the Kashiwa station. I had parked my
bicycle on the outside of a bicycle park, but having reached
there, it wasn’t there. About a week before, my classmate’s
bicycle had also disappeared there too. He claimed that his bike
was moved into a bicycle park without his knowledge and he
had to pay hyaku en (100 yen)42 for the parking fee. I,
however, didn’t believe him at the time and thought that he
forgot where he had parked.
42
At that time approximately JA$100 / US$1
85
T. A. Hyman
I immediately went inside the bicycle park, to see if they

had moved it from the outside to the inside in order to charge
me, as they did to my classmate. I asked the man, “Jitensha
wa doko desu ka”. 43 That was very basic Japanese and the
best I could communicate at the time. I, however, could not
understand the man’s response, because he was speaking so
fast. I also started to get nervous because I had heard that the
police would confiscate bicycles if they were parked in the
wrong area and that they issued bicycle tickets. A bicycle
ticket? Kaka Faat!
Another man came over to us who spoke a little English,
and so using part English and part Japanese I said, “I parked
my Jitensha arewa”. Translated - I parked my bicycle over
there and pointed. He asked me what colour it was and I said
blue. After a long search, the bicycle was found towards the
back of the park with a tag on it.
The man then came to me and said that I had parked in the
space for the ‘byoin’44 and added that I needed to pay hyaku
en (100 yen). I knew that I had not parked in the hospital
space and so I replied, “iie” (pronounced “iiyeh,” which means
NO). The man continued to say hyaku en again and again,
while I continued to say, ‘iie’ and shook my head. I explained
to him that my bicycle was outside the park, not in the hospital
space and that they moved it inside the park. Thereafter, things
intensified a bit, because the man started to say, “MONEY,
MONEY” in English (pronounced MO-NEH). You should have
seen the shape of his mouth.
I was not having it that day and so the Jamaican strength
rose up in me and I started to say repeatedly, “NIHON GO
GA AMARI WAKARIMASEN”.45 I mounted my bike while
the man was removing the tag from the bike. All that time he
kept
43
Where is my bicycle?
44
Hospital
45
I don’t understand one drop of Japanese.
86
T. A. Hyman
on saying “hyaku en, hyaku en”, continuously like a stuck

record. I simply rode off chanting loudly, “NIHON GO GA
AMARI WAKARIMASEN”. I said it about four times, a
phrase learnt that very morning in Japanese class - which came
in very handy that day. After some time passed, when all that
had happened had sunk in, I started to laugh, slowly at first,
then uncontrollably.
From a car ticket in Jamaica, to a bicycle ticket in Japan?
Kaka Faat! Mout’ a Fraat! Pay 100 yen? You must be crazy! The
amount may have been small, but it was all about the principle.
I did not park where they said I had parked, and simply chose
not to give in to their demands for payment.
87
T. A. Hyman
Takeaways
 Every culture has its own style for classroom teaching.

Be flexible and keen to adapt.
 Highlight the positives about your home country, when

sharing with others from another country. Try not to
focus too much on the negatives.
 The selection of an Academic Supervisor for a post

graduate degree is very important. Choose wisely!
 As time passes by, some of those initial challenges you

faced, having migrated to a new country, will slowly
fade as you adapt.
 Learn about the traditional courtesies of the culture you

live in and decide how best to adjust to them.
 At times you will be thrust into situations that force you

to face your fears. You can choose either to sink or
swim.
 When something works for you, work with it. Hyperdia

worked for me, and helped me travel successfully across
Japan.
 Learn to read maps and review the transportation

schedules in a foreign country. This will help you
navigate and commute successfully.
88
 Your inability to speak a foreign language fluently may
be debilitating, but should not prevent you from
standing up for what you believe in.
89
NOTES
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90
CHAPTER 8:
Self-Discovery and Acceptance
91
T. A. Hyman
Not used to Foreigners
One thing I observed during my time in Japan was that many

Japanese were not accustomed to seeing and interacting with
persons from other countries. Many times, while on the bus, I
was stared at and scrutinized from head to toe. To make light of
the situation, my response was to stare right back at them,
without blinking. They in turn would quickly look away.
Once, while sitting at a bus stop, a man started staring at
me from his car. It seemed as if he had never seen a black
person before in his life. In response, I opened my eyes very
wide and stared at him and he quickly turned away. That was
my way of coping with such an irritating issue in Japan. I
simply stared back.
If there was an empty seat on the bus beside me, some
persons wouldn’t readily sit there. Maybe they were scared or
just not used to foreigners. I could have easily taken offence
though, but was forewarned about the practice before travelling
to Japan. I wasn’t caught off guard too much, but nonetheless
still disliked it.
The Japanese word for persons from a different country, a
foreigner as they call them, is ‘Gaikoku-Jin’ or ‘Gai-Jin’ for
short. This word literally means ‘outside person’ which speaks
volumes as to how Non-Japanese are viewed by the Japanese.
The use of those words can be deemed offensive to Non-
Japanese living in Japan, depending on the setting or situation
it is used in.
In Jamaica, it is the opposite when we interact with
foreigners. Our culture is known globally for its hospitality
towards foreigners. It is in our music such as ‘one love’ sung by
Bob Marley, or ‘one blood’ sung by Junior Reid. This is
probably one of the reasons Jamaica is among the top
destinations globally for Tourism. xix Having worked in the
Tourism sector, having travelled across the world and having
stayed in different hotels, Jamaica’s hospitality is par to none!
92
A Black Girl on a Japanese Train
Just like taking the bus or walking on the road, it was also
annoying to receive those constant stares from Japanese
commuters while on the train. Sometimes I wondered what
exactly they were staring at? Was it my skin colour? Perhaps
my kinky hair? Maybe my facial expression? What exactly did
they see? Their stares made me feel like a rare commodity on a
retail store shelf. As time progressed, however, I learned to
ignore them and in true Jamaican style, I wrote a song about
that experience in Jamaican Patwa:
‘A Black girl pon a Japanese Train’
(translated in English xx)
Verse 1
A Black girl pon a Japanese train
Dem a look pon mi
like blood lef mi vein
What a mental stress!
Sometime mi caan even memba mi name
Dem a stare pon mi, an’ try fi look weh
Mi a wonda a wha, dem a try seh
Dem a look to di right
An’ a look to di lef
An’ a ask dem fren
Chorus
A weh shi come from?
mek shi look suh?
A wah deh pon har head?
Mek har face set suh?
93
T. A. Hyman
A weh shi come from? Jamdown

Mek shi look suh? How?
A wah deh pon har head? A Cane Row
Mek har face set suh? Shi a frown
Verse 2
Empty seat pon a Japanese Train
People fraid a mi
Dem nuh sit too near
When di cabin buck!
Si ef yuh nuh run outta luck
Haffi sit side a mi
Caan get fi run weh
Mi a wonda a wah
Dem a tink seh
Dem a look to di right
An’ a look to di lef
An’ a ask dem fren
Chorus
A weh shi come from?
Mek shi look suh?
A wah deh pon har head?
Mek har face set suh?
A weh shi come from? Jamdown
Mek shi look suh? How?
A wah deh pon har head? A Cane row
Mek har face set suh? Shi a frown
Verse 3
We are living in a very, very global world

So all closed doors
Mus’ open up!
Yuh nuh look like mi
Mi nuh look like yuh
94
Wi a one family
An’ one blood tu
Bridge
Mi nuh look no way
Mi nuh dress no way
Mi nuh chat no way
An’ mi hair cyan stay (Rep X 2)
©2011 and 2021 T.A. Hyman

(Download and listen to this song on YouTube and other online
platforms).46
Generally speaking, though, the Japanese are a very polite
and mannerly people, but sometimes find it difficult to interact
with Non-Japanese. Some of them are simply not used to
cultural diversity and fear interaction. Once I understood this
and got used to the stares, it no longer deterred me from my
studies in Japan. I chose to focus on the positives, learning as
much as possible about the Japanese culture, myself, and my
identity as a black woman. In fact, it was while in Japan, that
my self-confidence rose to a new level. Sometimes, it is when
you are taken from those familiar places and thrust into the
unknown that you understand yourself better and understand
the personal power you possess.
My level of black consciousness was strengthened during
that time, as being of African descent made me physically
different from my Japanese counterparts… and guess what?
Nothing was wrong with that! I firmly believe that one needs to
have a strong foundation in terms of self-worth and confidence
when deciding to live or study in a foreign country.
Challenges with race, colour and ethnicity plague many
societies across the world and so my experience in Japan was
not new or different from other persons’ experiences around
46
Produced by Ariff Butler from Bloozick Media Productions
95
T. A. Hyman
the world. I, therefore, chose to either guard my mind in

instances of negativity, or stand my ground on certain issues.
That was how I dealt with social challenges like those while
in Japan.
Let me encourage you the reader to do the same and,
hopefully, it can lead to a change in the status quo regarding
racial equity, globally. Nonetheless, I am forever grateful to
Japan, because my experiences there increased my
understanding of self and helped me accept who I was and who
God created me to be.
The Japanese government is addressing cultural diversity
issues through the internationalisation of its universities. That
is currently done through the Top Global University Project
(2014-2024)xxi which seeks to enhance the international
competitiveness of Higher Education Institutions in Japan,
through global academic ranking. The Top Global University
Project aims to increase the ratio of international students and
faculty members on university campuses in Japan. The project
also encourages Japanese faculty members to receive their
qualifications overseas. Importantly, it is desired that Japanese
universities increase the number of courses taught in English
on their campuses.
To me, internationalization is a great step in the right
direction for Japan as the positives far outweigh the negatives.
The positives include increasing the pool of foreign talent xxii
available in Japan, especially as Japan struggles with an ageing
population. Importantly, this can lead to more positive social
interactions between Japanese and Non-Japanese persons.
That can help to break down barriers and reduce the fear of
foreigners among the Japanese. At the community level, that
could translate into a reduction in staring at foreigners by the
Japanese.
96
Battling Depression and Being Alone
One major challenge of being far away from home and living in
a foreign country is battling depression - usually linked to
managing periods of being alone. How well you handle this will
determine your success and achievements in a foreign country.
One’s success may also be dependent on the level of hospitality
that citizens show towards non-citizens. If a foreign country is
not hospitable towards non-citizens, it makes it even harder to
cope.
Generally speaking, my experience of the Japanese is that
they are very polite and respectful, but cautious in developing
deep friendships and relationships with non-Japanese persons.
This meant transitioning from being around many persons in
Jamaica, to the extreme of being by myself in Japan, which led
to several bouts of depression during my studies.
One way I coped with depression was to shop. Often, I used
to check for bargains in the supermarket and retail stores, even
when I wasn’t buying anything. I simply walked around just to
keep my mind occupied. I visited the Don Quijote store 47 (Map
2) a lot, or walked through the shops around the Kashiwa train
station doing window shopping (Map 2). I would even go to the
supermarket for the simplest of things because I cooked a lot,
and moving around was simply an excuse to get out of my
apartment.
At one point, I started to exercise a lot and soon after got
into great shape. Besides, being in a foreign country where they
don’t speak much English and all you do is study, research and
eat, you look forward to simple things, that you often take for
granted: exercise. I looked forward to working out after classes
and even started lifting weights. I bought two, one-pound (1 lb)
dumb bells and toned my arms and body regularly. You should
have seen me!
47
This store is referred to by some as a Japanese Walmart
97
T. A. Hyman
Japanese Winter
My bouts of depression were also magnified by the weather.

The Japanese winter, for me, ran from November to March
each year and, during those times, my mood fluctuated. I was
not used to winter having grown up for most of my life in
sunshine or rainfall, in a tropical country.
I had visited North America before and experienced winter
during short trips, but Japan was different. I had to live in
winter and not visit it. That involved me getting used to heating
in my apartment and having the right clothes to keep warm.
It was very difficult to find and purchase winter clothes that
were my size in Japan. My body was larger than the average
Japanese female frame which posed a problem when shopping.
Fortunately, I had taken some warm clothes from Jamaica, but
was often teased by my classmates for wearing so many layers
of clothes, ‘too early’.
When it got colder, however, I needed thicker clothes and
shoes and could not find stores with my size. Eventually I
found the store Uniqlo, xxiii which is similar to the American
companies: Gap or Old Navy. They had my size and their prices
were affordable. Whenever I travelled outside of Japan,
however, I ensured to purchase winters clothes as well.
I purchased an electric blanket to use for sleeping at nights,
because the heating in my apartment was not adequate. I
remember many times falling asleep with the electric blanket
on my body until morning, but was advised against that
practice because it was a potential fire hazard. As such, I
plugged in the electric blanket just before going to bed, and
wrapped it around my body to feel the warmth. Importantly, I
stayed in one position on the bed, to trap the heat from the
blanket on my body. Then, after a couple of hours, I turned off
the electric blanket.
I also ensured that my body was positioned right under the
overhead heater on my wall. That overhead heater was
supposed to bring heat to the entire apartment, but really did
98
not live up to expectations. You can just imagine me crouched

up in bed during those cold winter nights. What a sight to
behold!
I must confess that it did not snow much where I lived in
Kashiwa. It got very cold, but when you compared the weather
in my city (within the Kanto region) to the Hokkaido region in
the north of Japan, I was living in paradise (Map 3).
I didn’t have to deal with snow storms, or shovelling snow
each morning before going to my university. To be honest, even
though it got cold, I knew that other countries such as Canada,
the UK, and parts of America were much colder than my city.
As such, I tried not to complain too much, but counted my
blessings each day during those cold winter months in
Kashiwa.
I so looked forward to the summer months in Japan, which
ran from June to mid-September each year. I literally craved
each year for that season, as I ‘came alive’ during those times.
It was like feeding Superman Kryptonite! Despite the fact that
it got really hot and humid during that time, the sunshine
served as nourishment to my soul, and well needed Vitamin D
for my body.
The Positive Side of Being Alone
Despite those bouts of depression, the positive side of being

alone in Japan was that it taught me how to cope during
holiday seasons such as Christmas and Easter. Christmas and
Easter are popular holidays in Jamaica and by extension much
of the west, but the Japanese do not celebrate them.
As such, those days simply came and went by quickly for me
while in Japan. I appreciated that a lot, because there was no
pressure for me to be in a romantic relationship, overspend at
Christmas or feel sad if I didn’t get to purchase bun and cheese
during Easter.
99
T. A. Hyman
The Christmas season is known globally for heavy

depression and increased suicides, but thank God I didn’t have
to face that. That December 2008 in Japan came and went by
like another day. So now, if I’m alone at Christmas in Jamaica

or anywhere in the world, I don’t get sad or depressed that
easily, as I can train my mind into thinking that it is just
another day.
Being alone in Japan really taught me how to be satisfied
with small things, big things or none at all. The things I
thought were necessary were not. Indeed, there is a sharp
distinction between needs and wants. I therefore became less
fussy over small things and just came to a place of peace and
satisfaction within myself.
I remember once while in Japan, I was speaking with a
friend in Jamaica via phone during Easter. That friend was so
sad because they couldn’t afford to buy bun and cheese for the
Easter season. That made me reflect and say to myself: So
what if you can’t buy these items? Is it life and death? I
encouraged the person not to worry about it, and to focus on
what really mattered i.e. peace of mind and just life in general.
Indeed, they were still alive and breathing.
I realise that at times, as Jamaicans, we face a lot of social
pressure to live a particular lifestyle, even if we can’t afford it.
In Japan, I was under no such social pressure and just loved
that liberating feeling. Living away from home in Jamaica
taught me what really matters at the end of the day.
It was also during those time of being along in Japan that I
learnt a lot about myself, what I liked and didn’t like and how I
desired to be treated by others. I also developed a better
appreciation and love for my body size, hair texture, skin
colour and culture. I lived in a country where I looked different
from the majority and could not hide or blend in, even if I tried.
I was a Jamaican with ancestral roots from Africa living in
Japan.
100
Living in Jamaica, I didn’t have to deal with issues of race

and ethnicity so often as I did in Japan. The stares, the desire
to touch my kinky hair, and my skin colour kept coming up in
conversations and through interactions with others. Those
interactions forced me to come face to face with myself. It was
like looking into a mirror and learning to be comfortable in my
101
own skin, as a black woman.

I also prayed to God and meditated a lot during those times
of being alone. My reliance on God’s strength, guidance and
protection were heightened during my time in Japan. I also
questioned God a lot about my purpose and what exactly he
placed me on the earth to do. Why was I born? Why me? Why
Jamaica? I was desperate to know and wanted to experience
true inner peace. That type of deep reflection usually occurs
when one is removed from their comfort zone and the familiar
places they have trodden.
In the book, Welcome to Greatness, written by Alex
Ihama,xxiv he outlined three phases along the journey of life:
self-discovery, self-awareness and self-actualization. The self-
discovery phase is about knowing who you are, the self-
awareness phase is knowing where you are and self-
actualization is about how to get where you desire to be in life.
The types of soul-searching questions that I asked above,
usually occur during the self-discovery phase of life. During
that phase, it is about identifying your life’s purpose and
highlighting hindrances which may prevent you from fulfilling
your purpose.
At that time in Japan, I was in the self-discovery phase. I,
therefore, engaged a lot in journaling during those ‘alone times’
which strengthened my love of self and helped me cope, apart
from just window shopping. I would send my Japanese-
Jamaican experiences via email to family and friends, get their
feedback, chat or laugh with them online about some strange
cultural encounter I had. This book is, therefore, the by-
product of almost three years of email exchanges with family
and friends. It represents my ‘alone time’ reflections while in
Japan.
As a result of that time of soul searching, meditation and
receiving answers to prayers, during that period of self-
discovery, my confidence and boldness levels dramatically
increased; and to be honest I didn’t even realise it at first. In
102
Jamaica, I was hesitant to ask questions in public, for fear of

being laughed at. I also engaged in intense preparations
whenever I had public presentations to do.

After some time in Japan however, I was asking questions
in public, even at large academic conferences or gatherings,
ignoring those fears. At the University of Tokyo, we had many
presentations to do in class (Chapter 7), so this forced me to
speak more in public.
Speaking in public and seeing the response of the audience
helped me realise that I had something to say, share and offer
that could enhance a conversation. Don’t get me wrong,
though, I had spoken in public while in Jamaica, even
performed on stage to large audiences. It was just that my fear
of people judging me began to diminish even further, while
living in Japan.
That new level of confidence became more evident when I
returned to Jamaica in 2011. You could be an average person
on the street, or the governor of a bank, if something was not
right or out of place, I would let you know, respectfully. It was
as if my fear of people had diminished, because of who I had
become.
That 180-degree turn in culture may have been a shocker at
first, almost like when a doctor uses a defibrillator to revive
someone out of unconsciousness. After the initial electric
shock, your heart starts to beat very fast, then it slowly beats,
taking its time until it returns to normalcy again.
Yes, I was 8000 miles away from Jamaica, which proved
difficult at times, but as time went by, I learnt how to cope with
being alone, while knowing the difference between needs and
wants. I also learnt more about myself through self-discovery,
and developed a deeper relationship with God through prayer
and meditation. My confidence level was boosted and I was
able to find self-acceptance as a Jamaican, a black woman
living and studying in Japan.
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T. A. Hyman
My Fellow Jamaican and African Brothers and

Sisters
Being so far from home in Jamaica, it was always great

meeting fellow Jamaicans, Africans and people from all across
the world, in Japan. It was also a plus when they could speak
English, because I met Africans in Japan who could not. It took
some time to build up a network of friends and acquaintances,
but after some time it happened.
I met Chris, a Jamaican student at the University of Tokyo’s
Hongo Campus in Tokyo. Like me, he was also pursuing a
master’s degree in Japan. There were two other Jamaican
MEXT students who went to Japan at the same time I did. We
met at the Embassy of Japan in Jamaica and kept in touch
throughout our time in Japan. Kerisa lived in Ehime prefecture
and Neika was in Kyoto prefecture (Map 3). I even travelled by
myself overnight by ferry boat to visit Kerisa in Ehime and that
interesting experience is described in Chapter 10.
I also met another Jamaican, Janice (now deceased), who
lived in Tsukuba city and was pursuing her doctorate. Tsukuba
was relatively close to Kashiwa by train, so I visited her several
times (Map 2). One of my family friends, Louis-Ray was also in
Japan, studying with his family and we also kept in touch. He
lived in Hokkaido, the northern most part of Japan and a very
cold place (Map 3). I met another Jamaican, Jamila, over the
phone, who lived in Itami city in Hyogo prefecture (Map 3).
She helped me settle and live frugally in Japan, even though,
we never got the chance to meet in person. But she was very
helpful and integral to my survival in Japan. Lee, another
Jamaican, taught English in Japanese schools and also pursued
studies in Art.
I registered with the Embassy of Jamaica in Tokyo, Japan
(Map 2) and met the Ambassador at the time, Ms. Claudia
Barnes. One day while at lunch with Ms. Barnes at the popular
Jamaican restaurant, Aalawi xxv in Tokyo, we ran into Admiral
‘Belly’ Bailey, a popular Jamaican entertainer and football
104
coach. That was a pleasant surprise, as I loved his music

growing up as a child, but had never met him in person before.
Instead, I had to go all the way to Japan to meet him at that
popular restaurant. I learnt that the Japanese owner of the
Aalawi Restaurant (Map 2) actually visited Jamaica and learnt
how to jerk chicken from the Jerk Chicken vendors on Red
Hills Road in Kingston. Jerk Chicken is a very popular dish in
Jamaica and among many Jamaicans worldwide. It is very
spicy, but really tasty, and so if you are visiting Jamaica or even
Japan, ensure that you indulge in some Jerk Chicken. You
won’t regret it!
T.A. Hyman posing with Admiral 'Belly' Bailey outside the Aalawi
While in Japan, I restaurant,
Jamaican also got Tokyo,
the opportunity
Japan to meet
Jamaica’s Foreign Minister at the time, Dr. Ken Baugh (now
deceased) and his wife. That was a very warm encounter and it
was great to have met them at the Embassy of Jamaica in
Japan. If I had been in Jamaica, chances are that I may not
have met them personally, or engaged with them in a meeting.
Japan afforded me several of these opportunities and I took
advantage of them as much as possible.
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T. A. Hyman
I also met a number of Jamaicans on the Japan Exchange

and Teaching (JET) programme, xxvi who taught English in
elementary, junior and senior high schools across the regions
of Japan. Usually, I would meet them at the One Love Jamaica
Festival held every year in Tokyo (Map 2). Those times were a
breath of fresh air. They allowed me to interact with Jamaicans
and reminded me so much of home in Jamaica. Sometimes we
forget that we can’t succeed on our own and that we really need
each other. No man is an island.
While in Japan, I worshipped at the Tokyo Baptist
Churchxxvii and travelled by train from Kashiwa to Tokyo on
Sundays, as often as I could (Map 2). Those meetings proved
very enriching and provided necessary spiritual food in a
country whose main religion was not Christianity. 48 The
services at Tokyo Baptist Church were held in English, and
those times of worship among a multi-cultural congregation
really helped to maintain my sanity, while I studied in Japan.
Maintaining My Hair in Japan
One thing that I didn’t prepare enough for was how to care for
my hair while in Japan. In Jamaica, my hair was permed
(cream hair in Jamaican Patwa) and I would go to the
hairdresser often enough to maintain it. The times when I
couldn’t afford the hairdresser, I would ask a friend to help me
out.
I went to Japan with permed hair and didn’t have a clue as
to how to maintain it there. The hairdressers in Japan were not
used to my permed hair and trust me, I didn’t want anyone to
experiment with my hair. I remember attempting to perm my
hair, my first time ever doing that and it lasted for about a
week, instead of the standard six weeks. I really missed my
hairdresser in Jamaica.
48
The main religions in Japan are Shintoism and Buddhism.
106
My first attempt at perming my

hair and it lasted one week
Someone told me to find an African woman in Japan,

because they were known to do black hair well. Thereafter, I
met Hamida from Ghana who braided my hair while in Japan.
She was simply a God-send. After some time of braiding, I
decided to go fully natural and live with my kinky hair.
Hamida’s braids really helped, because in no time my hair was
fully natural, but still a wild stallion to control.
Nonetheless, the decision to go natural occurred during the
self-discovery phase. It was, therefore, an important step
towards self-acceptance. This was the hair I was born with,
stallion or none. I was just going to have to learn to accept it,
love it and work with the programme!
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T. A. Hyman
Takeaways
 Some citizens of countries you visit may not be

accustomed to cultural diversity. They may even exhibit
cultural annoyances such as staring. Try not to be
offended too much, but instead find creative and
innovative ways to cope.
 Sometimes when you are taken from familiar places and
thrust into unfamiliar environments, that is when you
learn more about and understand yourself. You may
even come to appreciate the unique things about you
such as: your hair texture, skin colour, body shape and
culture.
 Find creative ways to keep yourself active, especially if
you are alone in a foreign country. In my case, I engaged
in window shopping, exercise, prayer and meditation,
along with journaling. Use those ‘alone times’ to get to
know yourself and craft a pathway for your life.
 One needs to have a strong foundation in terms of self-
worth and confidence when deciding to live or study in
a foreign country.
 How well you handle periods of being alone will
determine your level of success in a foreign country.
 If you live in a foreign country that has a temperate
climate i.e. winter, remember to invest in warm
clothing.
 The positive side of being alone is that you are able to
distinguish between needs and wants; You have an idea
of what is important and what can wait.
 According to Alex Ihama in the book titled, Welcome to
Greatness the Self-Discovery phase is about knowing
who you are, your purpose in life and identifying
hindrances that may prevent you from fulfilling your
purpose.
108
 Increased confidence is the result of understanding who
you are and your purpose here on earth. It is also a
result of self-acceptance.
 Try to interact with other people, especially those from
your home country who also live in the same foreign
country as you. No man is an island. We need each
other.
 If you have an Embassy in the foreign country that you
live in, register with them and keep abreast of their
activities. It is important to maintain contact, especially
in the event that there is an emergency.
 Living in a foreign country can afford you opportunities
that you may not likely have received back in your home
country
 When relocating to a foreign country to live or study,
ensure to make the necessary preparations for personal
hair care. Know at least the basics in terms of hair care
and stock up on hair products to bring with you. You
may not necessarily find those products in the foreign
country you intend to live in.
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T. A. Hyman
NOTES
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T. A. Hyman
CHAPTER 9:
International Exposure
112
Jamaica is not in Africa
One night while waiting for a train at the station, a Japanese

man, who appeared to be drunk, loudly referred to me as
“Africa Jin”. The word ‘Jin’ in Japanese means person, so
basically what he was saying was, ‘Hey, person from Africa!’
This was not particularly strange because when I interacted
with other Japanese, I realised that they also did not know
where Jamaica was on the map. This may sound funny to some,
or even insulting to others, but the truth is, some Japanese
thought Jamaica was in Africa.
Jamaica is located in the Caribbean region (Map 1). The
Caribbean region is located south east of the Gulf of Mexico
and south of the North American mainland. The Caribbean is
also east of Central America and north of South America. It has
more than 700 islands, but roughly 30 islands are inhabited
with over 43 million people, mostly of African descent. xxviii
There are several different religions, ethnic groups,
languages and dialects, but the main languages spoken are
English, Spanish, French and Dutch. The Caribbean region also
forms part of what is called the Americas, which comprises
North America, South America and Central America (Map 1).
Jamaicans are descendants of Africans who were removed
forcibly from parts of West Africa between the 16th and 19th
centuries. My foreparents were hunted, rounded up, sold and,
in some instances, thrown overboard ships and killed. They
were transported in ships by British and other European
colonisers as part of the inhumane Trans-Atlantic slave trade to
Jamaica and other parts of the Caribbean region.
These Africans were treated like cattle on British sugar cane
plantations across the Americas and were forced to produce
sugar and cotton that was exported to Britain and other parts
of Europe. These cash crops (sugar and cotton) brought
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T. A. Hyman
millions to the pockets of European plantation owners and

contributed
immensely to the development of the British economy. These
economies were therefore built on the backs of my foreparents,
with their sweat and blood and represent one of the most
blatant forms of human trafficking to date!xxixSo, in one sense,
the man at the train station was right. I am of African descent,
but attaching my ethnicity solely to geography because of
ignorance was quite offensive, almost like saying, “Hey person
from Asia!” when an Asian person could have been born and
raised in the USA. Nonetheless, I overlooked it and forgave
him.
In Japan, it was always good to meet my fellow brothers
and sisters or ‘distant relatives’, as we refer to them in jest. I
met a lot of Africans in Japan - from Nigeria, Ghana,
Cameroon, Ethiopia and Sudan. I learnt a lot about my
ancestors, their culture and way of living from them.
What I observed a lot about the Africans in Japan was their
thriftiness and determination to provide for their families.
There was a strong sense of family amongst them, as well as
high levels of confidence in themselves and their abilities.
We had lots of debates and disagreements, especially
around the topic of our roots and the circumstances that led to
my ancestor’s captivity and departure from Africa; but the love
we had for each other, and the shared desire to achieve, far
outweighed those differences. The memories of those
interactions still live with me today.
Growing up in Jamaica, I had believed that Africa was an
evil place with lots of poverty. That was how Africa was
portrayed through the mainstream media in the west, with lots
of advertisements on TV showing starving children with flies
pitching on their faces. That gave me a distorted view of Africa.
It was not until I travelled to Japan that I realised that some of
the brightest minds and most thrifty people came from the
continent of Africa.
114
I have viewed Africa differently since my time living in

Japan. As I mentioned in Chapter 8, my level of black
consciousness
115
T. A. Hyman
increased, given the fact that I lived among people who did not
look like me or grew up the way I did. Interacting with those
Africans in Japan helped to strengthen the acceptance of my
hair, body size and skin colour. I was a Black Woman with
strong roots and a rich and colourful history. I am, therefore,
grateful for coming into this level of revelation and knowledge
about myself and my history while in Japan.
Dating and Tracy in Japan
When I went to study in Japan my intention was simply to

upgrade myself academically by getting a master’s degree and
then leave. There was no thought of meeting anyone, or being
involved with anyone. Besides, when I found out that women
were the ones to approach males, I was like 'No Way. I’m going
to take a rain check on that one’. 49 In Jamaican culture the
males are the ones who generally approach females and
indicate their interest, so I knew right away that that part of
Japanese culture would be hard to adjust to. Call me old school
if you like folks…
To add more fuel to the fire, I found out that on February
14, the Japanese version of Valentine’s day requires that the
women give the men gifts and then a month later the men give
the women gifts. That’s how long women had to wait to get
their valentine’s day gift? Are you kidding me? Importantly,
there was no guarantee that a female who gave a male a gift on
February 14 would receive a gift after a month. Huh, Excuse
me? Girlfriend, I was not having it!
On a more serious note, though, I really didn’t meet any
Japanese male that I was attracted to, and none really
approached me either. There was one male who used to smile
with me a lot, but he never said anything to me directly and I
wasn’t going to say anything either. If a Japanese male thought
I would have approached him, he had better think twice! Lol.
As such, Japanese dating was put on the ‘back burner’ for me.
49
It was not going to happen.
116
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T. A. Hyman
118
Who I did attract though in Japan was my own people:

Africans or persons of African descent. There were quite a few
African males living in Japan who could spot a black female
from a mile away. They could sniff you out of any hole, crevice
or wherever you were hiding. You just couldn’t hide and they
tried so hard to get your attention. The black male, they can’t
help but interact with a black woman - it’s just built into their
DNA. Lol.
It didn’t even matter if the black males were with their
Japanese counterparts, they would always look, stare and scope
out the landscape. Well guess what? I can’t blame them too
much because we are indeed a beautiful sight to behold.
To see a black female living among so many Japanese
would make anyone stand out, like novelty on a retail shelf. To
be honest, there really were not many black women in Japan,
especially where I lived, and when you did meet a black person,
it was usually a male. Talk about being unique and special? A
black woman living and studying in Japan. Kaka Faat! What
would be next?
The One Jamaica Festival - 2009 xxx
When I arrived in Japan in 2008, I heard about a Jamaican

festival held each year in Tokyo in honour of music legend, Bob
Marley. I was encouraged to attend that event, so in May 2009
I travelled by train to Yoyogi Park in Tokyo (Map 2). I was
excited to attend because that was a key meeting place for
Jamaicans living in Japan. It was also a meeting spot for people
from different nationalities as well.
From my research, xxxi I discovered that the One Love
Jamaica Festival had been hosted each year in May since 2004.
This two-day festival was started by two Japanese men, Ryuichi
Tsuruno and Yoshihisa Haga. In 2007, 40,000 patrons
attended the event but from my quick estimation in 2009,
there were way more patrons at the festival than that number.
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T. A. Hyman
So, when you hear the expression, ‘Reggae gone abroad’, it

is true, and you had better believe it! I had never seen anything
like it before; it was my first time experiencing my own culture
in a foreign country, among foreigners, with so much
authenticity. What a surprise! My first impressions were:
 “Look at the amount of Japanese Rastas!”

 “Am I in Jamaica or Japan?”
 “Boy, they seem to love my culture more than I do.”
I ate Jamaican food - festival, roti, curry chicken and of

course, jerk chicken. I saw many Jamaican cultural expressions
in terms of dance, music, fashion and traditions being enjoyed
by large crowds of people across the park.
At that time, there was a very popular and controversial
style of dance in Jamaica called the ‘dutty wine’. This dance
involves sharp movements of the head, which can be done in a
split position and proves risky at times. Can you believe that I
witnessed a Japanese girl doing that dance at the festival?
It was interesting to see the children of Jamaican and
Japanese couples all over the park, the freaky hairstyles of
Japanese patrons, as well as Japanese DJ’s or ‘selectas’, as we
call them in Jamaica. You didn’t hear much English being
spoken, especially from the performances on stage but that
never stopped the love and interactions from flowing between
the patrons at the park.
At the Jamaican village, organised by the Embassy of
Jamaica in Japan, patrons were able to play dominoes, take
reggae dance class and have their hair braided.
120
A Japanese girl (left) performs the A Japanese male with a freaky

controversial Dutty Wine dance hairstyle at the festival (right).
in front of a crowd at the One
Love Jamaica Festival. Notice that
she is in a split position.
Patrons could also watch a nyabinghi xxxii performance and

learn more about Jamaican history and culture. The Jamaican
culture is indeed a rich one, with lively rhythms and beats,
joyous moments and colourful movements.
The booth of the Embassy of Jamaica in Japan stood out
the most to me at the festival because it represented our culture
well. The booth set up by the Jamaica Tourist Board, on the
other hand, was not very appealing. There were a few posters to
decorate the booth and just a handful of people at the booth. It
was very scant and I wondered if they understood the
importance of tapping into the Japanese market by promoting
the best of Jamaica.
I would later write about my experience and observations,
both positive and negative, at that festival in the Jamaica
121
T. A. Hyman
Gleaner, which unknown to me caused a stir and shake-up

within those organisations. xxxiiiOverall, the One love Jamaica
Festival gave kudos to Jamaican culture but is more
customized towards the Japanese market.
English/Patwa Encounter - Part 1
A funny experience occurred while waiting in line with my

Jamaican friend to get drinks from a vending machine. The
man in front of us held his dog on a leash with one hand. His
other hand, he used to get drinks from the vending machine.
This dog, however, was very unusual. He was very small and
brown and had a lot of hair sticking out around his neck. The
hair formed what looked like a halo around his neck. I turned
to my Jamaican friend and jokingly said to her in Patwa,
“Kooyah, a one lion dat!” 50
The Japanese man turned around and said to me, “Lion
ehh!” I was so shocked that the man understood the English
word ‘lion’ from my conversation, which made my friend and I
laugh. So responding to the man in Japanese, I said: “Eigo O
Hanasu, koto ga dekimasu ka” 51
The man looked at me and said with a chuckle, “Yeah!” My
friend and I just kept laughing and I said to her: “We better
watch out, because a Japanese might tell us a Jamaican curse
word next!” We laughed so hard together that day. It was so
much fun being at the festival, a welcome relief for me, being
8000 miles from home, but still feeling at home in Japan.
English/Patwa Encounter - Part 2
Another interesting experience occurred on day two of the

festival when a Japanese guy just came up to me and started
50
Look at that, is that a lion? (said teasingly/jokingly)
51
Do you speak English?
122
talking to me in Patwa. He said, “Mi si yuh ere yestaday”. 52 So, to

play around and tease him, I decided to answer him in
Standard English.
“Me? No way! You have got the wrong person, sir,” I said.
“Yuh neva deh ere yestaday?”53 the man asked, in Patwa.
“It wasn’t me”, I said.
“Arite, den”, 54 the man replied.
“No problem. Everything IRIE,” 55 I said.
I was enjoying myself way too much by playing around

during that encounter. The Japanese man’s Patwa was actually
very good and completely took me off guard. What stood out to
me from those two encounters was the determination of some
Japanese to immerse themselves completely into Jamaican
culture, even more so than some Jamaicans did. To think that
some Jamaicans want to leave our country and identify with
other countries is at times ironic.
What I observed about the Japanese at that festival was
that once they committed to doing something, they would go all
the way. They didn’t play. They were serious when it came to
commitment and dedication. As Jamaicans, we can take a
couple of pages from their book.
Reflections on the Festival
Jamaica, with a population of just under 3 million people has

had significant influence on Japanese culture with a population
of almost 128 million, and Japan also has had an influence on
Jamaica. Jamaica’s influence on Japan is particularly evident
52
I saw you at the festival yesterday
53
You sure, you weren’t here yesterday?
54
OK
55
A Jamaican expression meaning: all is well. IRIE is also used by the Jamaican
Government in their marketing campaigns to encourage tourists to come to Jamaica.
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T. A. Hyman
through dancehall and reggae music, dance styles, sports and

food; while Japan’s influence on Jamaica is seen through
manga, anime, food, education, agriculture, disaster relief and
the numerous Japanese cars seen on Jamaican roads.
There is also a growing community of Jamaicans who teach
English in Japan each year through the Japan Exchange and
Teaching Programme (JET). Teaching English in Japan has
quickly become a fast-growing industry.
The interaction between the Jamaican and Japanese
cultures has created unique fusions which in no way is
hindered by the thousands of miles that separate both islands.
To see the Japanese celebrating and loving the Jamaican
culture at the One Love Jamaica Festival, in some cases more
than Jamaicans, was mind-blowing. Despite the challenges we
face in Jamaica, we should be prouder of ourselves and of our
rich heritage than we are.
When others place more value on us than we place on
ourselves, something is wrong. I believe that this is one of the
challenges that Jamaica faces - the issue of value. We don’t
place a high enough value on ourselves as a people and what we
have and I am even guilty of this. What are we worth as a
nation? What is our contribution to the world? We need to
calculate our value, know it and benefit from it.
Now I’m not talking about being arrogant and over
confident, because some people are. I’m talking again as I did
in Chapter 8 about identity, self-acceptance and coming to the
negotiating table, not only to receive, but also to give, teach and
impart knowledge.
In my opinion, we are not short of talent and resources in
Jamaica; we are short on understanding and benefiting fully
from our value. There are also other issues related to identity,
self-acceptance, as well as working together in unity as a
people. The day we get these three things together, we will be
such an unstoppable force on this earth. It is my hope and
prayer that this will become a reality in my lifetime.
124
Attending the One Love Jamaica Festival evoked something

in me that is hard to describe; from that day forward, it became
evident in my speech, body language, when I travelled,
delivered academic presentations or had simple interactions
with others. It would surface during hot debates or discussions
with colleagues, family, friends and even strangers. My
confidence level just sky-rocketed and has continued along that
trajectory.
The United Kingdom (UK)
My childhood dream of travelling to Europe finally

materialised while studying in Japan. I had fantasized and
secretly yearned to go, not knowing when it would happen.
That opportunity, however, came in the form of attending a
scientific conference at the University of Brighton in
Eastbourne, United Kingdom (UK) in July 2009 (Map 1). I had
submitted an abstract of the research we were working on at
the University of Tokyo and it was accepted by the conference
organisers.
The theme of the conference was ‘Travel and Tourism in the
age of Climate Change’ and my abstract was titled: ‘Another
colour for the chameleon: the changing face of tourism in light
of climate issues and the industry’s ability to cope.’ It would be
my first time presenting at a scientific conference and
travelling to the UK, and I was simply ecstatic! I was ‘killing
two birds with one stone’. 56
That summer, I travelled to the UK from Japan all by
myself, entering the country through the London Heathrow
Airport. I then travelled on to the town of Eastbourne by train.
While in Eastbourne at the conference, I presented my research
to my academic peers and it was well-received.
I also interacted with researchers from Germany, China and
the USA, working on climate change and tourism issues. It was
56
Accomplishing two or more things at the same time
125
T. A. Hyman
like being among friends and relatives, as there were so many

‘aha’ moments, because my peers and I had so much in
common, related to research. I also got the opportunity to meet
several pioneers and experts in my field of study on Climate
Change and Tourism while there as well.
At dinner time, there was so much food on the table to eat,
which bowled me over completely. There were wide food
choices and different types of wines available for our drinking
pleasure. I simply was not used to seeing so much culinary
diversity, compared to the options we had in Jamaica, or even
in Japan. I ensured, however, to eat my heart’s desire, but
didn’t drink too much, though. After all, it was my childhood
desire to sip wine and experience fine dining in Europe. Now
when the opportunity arose, there I was fumbling and in
complete shock.
I also got the opportunity to meet up with some of my
mother’s friends - Andrew and Karen. I didn’t know anyone in
the UK at the time but was told that we had relatives in the UK
on both my father and mother’s side. It was however not
possible to connect at that time. Andrew and Karen took me
sightseeing in London, which included visiting the Big Ben,
Buckingham palace, London Bridge and an awesome boat ride.
We shopped at a well-known store, Primark, as well as a
popular shopping complex at the border of France and the UK -
Ashford Designer Outlet, London. I was also able to visit a well-
known church at the time, Ruach Ministries, headed by Bishop
John Francis. That particular Sunday, Henry Fernandez, a
well-known speaker from the USA, preached and the service
was amazing.
My trip to the UK also helped me better understand the era
of colonialism of Jamaica by the British, which took place
between 1655-1962. I realised that many names of streets and
places in Jamaica are the same as those in the UK, for example,
Manchester and New Hampshire. I also learnt that like British
men, Jamaican men wear jacket and ties, which is a sign of
being well dressed and professional.
126
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T. A. Hyman
On
T.A. the roadways,
Hyman posing forcars drove
a picture in on the
front left-hand side,
of Buckingham just
Palace like
in the
Jamaica, and the habit ofUnited drinking tea
Kingdom. was common place in
the UK. Jamaicans, however, drank tea in the mornings, or
sometimes at night. The British, on the other hand, drank tea
right throughout the day. One major difference between
Jamaica and the UK though, is the weather. The UK can get
very cold and I had heard stories about their cold and bitter
winters. It was summer when I visited in July 2009, yet it was
slightly cold, but the sun shone daily.
I made a big mistake by not wearing a scarf in the UK and
so when I returned to Japan, I suffered from a terrible cold that
had me in bed for several days. Darn that English weather!
128
T.A. Hyman on a boat ride with a lovely view of

London Bridge in the background
More Earthquakes
Despite that terrible cold, I returned to Japan from the UK in

great spirits, having fulfilled my childhood dream of visiting
Europe. All went well and I enjoyed every moment of my first
trip to Europe. I was, however, welcomed back to Japan by two
earthquakesxxxiv in August 2009. The first occurred while I was
at home in Kashiwa talking with my father on the phone. The
second one happened while I was relaxing and forced me to
take cover under my bed. Those first set of earthquake tremors
I felt when I just came to Japan in October 2008 were no
comparison to the ones in August 2009, and yet an even
greater magnitude earthquake lay ahead, unbeknown to me.
129
That was the part of being in Japan that I didn’t like and
found very scary. Would I get used to those earthquakes one
day? The same way one gets used to eating with chopsticks?
Would I eventually keep working during an earthquake
having observed others doing in my university lab? Those
questions remained to be answered.
130
Takeaways
 Know your geography and general locations of places

across the globe (Map 1). When in a foreign country,
you could meet persons from different nations and so it
is always good to have a sense of where they are from.
 Being in a foreign country can make you homesick at
times; try to find places or events that remind you of
home and make the effort to visit or attend.
 Embrace your ancestry and cultural roots.
 If you are Jamaican, know that the Jamaican culture
has permeated many cultures globally, so you may be
surprised to see your culture on display in the country
you visit or study in.
 Place a high value on your culture and walk in
confidence knowing your nation’s contribution to the
globe.
 Living in a foreign country can present opportunities for
you to travel to other countries, that you may not have
had the chance to visit before. Seize those opportunities.
In my case, living in Japan opened up the opportunity
for me to visit the United Kingdom. That may not have
been a possibility before.
 The fulfilment of childhood dreams may not always
materialise in the way that you envision. It was my
dream to live and study in Europe, but that did not
happen. Instead, I got the opportunity to live and study
in Japan and then an opportunity arose to travel to
Europe.
 Research the disaster risk profile of the country you
desire to live and study in. Be familiar with safety
measures and emergency procedures especially within
your community.
131
NOTES
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T. A. Hyman
CHAPTER 10:
Stepping Out into the Unknown
134
The One Love Jamaica Festival - 2010
In 2009, I was a patron at the One Love Jamaica Festival but in

2010 I became an entrepreneur and back-up singer. Can you
believe that? ‘Wah yuh doan du a yaad, yuh du abraad!’ 57 In 2010,
the event was held again at Yoyogi park in Tokyo (Map 2). I
made arrangements with the organizers of the One Love
Jamaica Festival to set up a booth at the event showcasing
authentic Jamaican items for sale.
When my friend, Bert, and I got to the venue at 7:45 a.m.
that May morning, there was no table available to display our
items. We were expected to bring our own tables but that
information was not communicated to us beforehand. The
organisers told me that they didn’t have any extra tables to lend
me, making me very distraught. In true Jamaican style,
however, we set up the goods on the ground, like some vendors
would do in Downtown Kingston, Jamaica.
My makeshift booth was the only one on the ground and I
had to ask the Japanese Rastaman beside me to use the back of
his tent to hang up some of my clothes. I also borrowed a mat
and clothes rack from an African man nearby. I was miserable,
irritable and nervous, but still determined to press on. Before
we finished setting up the booth on the ground, I made my first
sale.
My friend, Bert, was the one who sold most of the items at
the makeshift booth. He could speak Japanese and knew the
cultural cues very well. I had encouraged Bert to work with me,
especially since I was nervous about communicating in
Japanese to the general public.
57
What you wouldn’t normally do in your home country is done when you visit or live
in a foreign country
135
T. A. Hyman
136
Selling goods in Jamaica requires so much talking,

questioning and even arguing. How would I have managed to
do that in Japanese? Just imagine for a moment me talking,
part Japanese, part English and a little Patwa to a Japanese
customer. You know what, please let me spare you, by not
describing that scenario right now, because you know by now
how active my imagination is. Well, in the end, it was a
welcomed relief when most of the patrons who came to the
booth spoke English.
And guess what? On that May festival day in Yoyogi Park,
Tokyo, we sold more than our neighbours who had tents,
tables, racks booth
My makeshift and at
mannequins. I couldn’t
the One Love Jamaica believe
Festival it and
at Yoyogi Park, was
simply blown awayTokyo,by the mercy and goodness
Japan in May 2010. of God. I had
thought that because my items were on the ground, and we
were black people, it would be challenging to convince people
to buy from us. That was farthest from the truth!
We didn’t sell everything but we were able to make a profit
from the ground. Can you imagine if we were above ground?
That day was a very humbling experience, one for which I will
forever be grateful, and never forget. I learnt that despite my
challenges I should not give up, but find other ways to
successfully achieve my objectives.
I also had an interesting encounter at the festival. Someone
told me that my newspaper article that was published in the
Jamaica Gleaner about the One Love Jamaica Festival in 2009
had caused a great stir at the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB). As
a result, the JTB had to dramatically improve its booth for the
2010 One Love Jamaica Festival. Upon investigation, I realised
that the JTB booth was indeed outstanding in 2010, compared
to 2009. It was very inviting and encouraged the Japanese to
travel to Jamaica.
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T. A. Hyman
I was simply taken aback by the impact that my article had

on the JTB, and it made me realize the power of words, written
words, and the influence we have and sometimes don’t even
realise. I was even encouraged to do a follow up article, but
wanted to take things slowly. I didn’t want to start a protest or
revolution just yet. Let me first bask in that unexpected victory
before taking on Goliath’s brother, I thought. Mama Mia!
Mission completed.
Tracy the Back-up Singer
From a patron in 2009, to back up singer in 2010. How did that

happen? Well, one good thing about being in Japan is the close
connection we had with the Embassy of Jamaica in Japan.
When the Embassy had functions, we would attend and meet
other Jamaicans living in Japan.
It was at one of those functions that I met the entertainer,
‘Macka Ruffin’. Macka Ruffin is a Jamaican Rastafarian living
in Japan who performs and sings reggae music to a growing
market of reggae lovers across Japan. That year, Macka Ruffin
138
was looking for back-up singers for the upcoming one love
festival in 2010. Another Jamaican and I did an impromptu
audition and were invited to sing with his band. So, with
roughly two weeks to go, before the One Love Jamaica Festival,
we engaged in intense rehearsals. During that time, I had to
travel from Kashiwa to Tokyo via train for rehearsals, which
proved to be very hectic. In the end, the other Jamaican
dropped out and so Macka Ruffin’s back-up singers comprised
of myself and two Japanese women; ‘Modern day I-Trees’ is
what we called our trio.
It was during that time that I also met another Rastafarian,
Scottie, a Jamaican songwriter, producer and singer, who did
vocal training sessions with us back-up singers. Scottie is
married to a Japanese woman and has lived in Japan for many
years, way before a Jamaican Embassy was placed there.
During rehearsals, he made me mostly sing the melody for
the songs and it was during those sessions that we became
friends. I even recorded some songs at his studio in Japan. We
had a lot of heated debates on music, religion and world affairs,
but I learnt many life lessons from him. Scottie encouraged me
to get more involved in the music industry, to the point where I
actually set up a music portfolio online. xxxv
The Performance
I, along with the two other Japanese back-up singers, joined

Macka Ruffin and his band on stage at the May 2010 One Love
Jamaica Festival.xxxvi Macka Ruffin did several Bob Marley
songs, as well as songs from his own catalogue. The crowd was
very receptive to us and some persons in the crowd kept waving
at me right throughout the performance. After the
performance, persons in the audience asked me if I was a
singer and wanted me to do TV interviews to speak about
Jamaican culture. To be honest, I never really expected such a
139
T. A. Hyman
response and was sort of overwhelmed, because in my mind, I

was just doing some songs with a band.
140
T. A. Hyman
It was‘Modern
as if, Day
the I-Trees’
crowdbacking
was pushing
up Mackame to as
Ruffin join the music
he performs
industry, which really was not part of my plan for Tokyo,
on stage at the One Love Jamaica Festival at Yoyogi Park, being in
Japan in May 2010.
Japan. I was in Japan to get a master’s degree. That new found
passion to sing would eventually become short-lived when the
real reason for being in Japan soon set in, right after the 2010
One Love Jamaica Festival.
The feedback from the crowd for our performance,
however, made me realize the strong demand that audiences
have for authentic Jamaican music, food and by extension,
culture. Organisations working in brand management, sales
and marketing for Jamaica, need to understand the needs of
that market and package Jamaican products/services
accordingly.
141
T. A. Hyman
Macka Ruffin performs in front of a large crowd at the One Love

Unfortunately,
Jamaica Festivalsome Jamaicans
at Yoyogi Park, Tokyo,don’t
Japan inunderstand
May 2010. the
strong demand by foreigners for Jamaican culture and may not
even know the value of the market. Having lived in Japan, the
value of Jamaica’s culture and what we have to offer, became
clearer to me. I can say that overall, Jamaicans as a people are
living in paradise and have great treasures there, but don’t
know it.
My experience as a back-up singer also gave me new found
respect for entertainers. It is a hard job, especially when you
have to attend many rehearsals to get the sound right. When it
is time to perform, even if you are tired or had a bad day, you
still have to find the energy to perform. The audience doesn’t
care about your bad day.
You just have to perform at your best, even if you don’t feel
like it. That helps to develop self-discipline and a level of
professionalism in performers, which is a very positive side of
the music industry.
142
T. A. Hyman
T.A. Hyman (centre) enjoying the moment on stage at

the One Love Jamaica Festival at Yoyogi Park, Tokyo,
Japan in May 2010.
The negative side of the industry, however, includes the

cigarette smoking and the use of other substances which were
of no interest to me. Not to mention the male and female
interactions. That simply was not my cup of tea! What if my
personal convictions changed if I continued singing in the
music industry? What would that mean for me as a woman of
faith? Those questions bombarded me continuously and I
really couldn’t answer them. As a result, it made me very
cautious about joining the music industry.
Nonetheless, I still thank God for that experience because it
reinforced for me the importance of my identity, body, beauty
and culture. It made me overcome a lot of my fears and
insecurities and added another layer of confidence in my life. It
showed me the positive and negative sides of the music
industry and the labels placed on me growing up in Jamaica
meant
143
nothing in that environment. I was competing with no one in

Japan for a limited space, or trying to vie for the ‘brightest in
the class’ slot. I was competing with myself and the sky was the
limit!
There was no limitation placed on me, which was one of the
most liberating things that Japan did for me. I was free to
become ‘me’ without judgement and condemnation. Finally, I
was learning to use those darn chopsticks. By then they were
almost in the correct position between my fingers, and I was
ready to dine.
My Time in Rome
My childhood dream of travelling to Europe became a reality a

second time while studying in Japan. I was accepted to
participate in the International Conference on Sustainability
Science (ICSS) at the Sapienza University of Rome in June
2010. Two of my classmates and I submitted academic
abstracts to that conference and were successful. We were
simply ecstatic! Even though I had visited the UK in 2009, I felt
that going to Rome would really be my first time going to
Europe - well mainland Europe. Firstly, because the native
language in Rome was Italian and not English (as in the UK). I
would, instead, hear the melodious sounds of Italian caressing
my ears and encompassing the environment all around me.
Secondly, because of the authentic food options, specifically,
pasta.
The good thing was that our airfare and accommodation
were funded through a collaboration between the University of
Tokyo and the Sapienza University of Rome. As post-graduate
students, we were therefore expected to participate in the
conference sessions and exhibit our research in the form of a
poster.
My classmates and I immediately started the process of
applying for visas at the Italian Embassy in Tokyo, which was
very tedious at first. In the end, we all got our visas in time to
144
travel to Rome that June of 2010. Rome was the place to

experience the grandeur of Europe. I imagined visiting
museums in the day, meeting handsome men, sipping wine and
dining in luxurious restaurants in the evenings, while dressed
in royal robes. Oh yes! The UK was good, but in my mind,
Rome was where the real action would be.
Well guess what? The Rome portrayed on TV and what I
subsequently experienced resulted in severe culture shock!
Rome somewhat reminded me of Downtown, Kingston,
Jamaica - a major business district known to have issues with
citizen safety. In Rome, many of the public areas were not
clean, including the ticket booths at the train stations, and the
trains had graffiti written all over them. On the train, people
stared on us like vultures, which was very scary. It was during
those times I was glad to be with my classmates, having
travelled alone to other countries before.
I was also forewarned before travelling to Rome to beware
of pick pockets and to watch my handbag. I was sceptical of this
at first, until I visited the city, and realized that one really had
to be careful on the streets of Rome. I remember once when my
classmates and I were cornered by ‘gypsies’ xxxvii while walking to
the Sapienza University (conference site). Those gypsy women
formed a circle around us, coercing us to buy their wares.
Interestingly one lady had a baby in a pram and another held a
child on her arm. What an overwhelming experience!
On another occasion, I was harassed at the ticket booth in
the train station by one of the gypsies who I thought was a
ticket attendant offering help. In that same train station, I was
also cursed by a homeless man in Italian because I didn’t give
him any money. What an assault in Rome! It felt like being run
over by a train. The culture shock in Rome in 2010 was harsher
than the culture shock experienced when I arrived in Japan in
2008.
More culture shock came when we visited certain historical
sites within walking distance of the conference site. We passed
by the Colosseumxxxviii and saw a homeless man at the front of
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T. A. Hyman
that famous attraction. He was lying down at the top of the

stairs looking very comfortable.
We also did a bus tour throughout the city of Rome and
observed that the structures and architecture were very nice,
but many of them were ‘run down’ and in need of repair. There
were also beggars everywhere in the city. My childhood
fascination with mainland Europe was slowly and painfully
fading. At moments, I wondered if it was time to return to
Japan. At least I could better manage the culture shock there.
To make matters worse, two other negative experiences
took place thereafter. The first happened while shopping in a
convenience store. One of the store representatives came to me
and asked me to leave my handbag at the front of the store. In
my experience, usually when one shops, one leaves the other
bags at the front and not their handbag. I felt like a thief, but
still continued to shop because the store had items that were
hard to find in Japan e.g. specific hair products, lotions, tooth
paste and scented soap.
The second incident occurred while shopping at a shoe
store, when the cashier (who appeared to be the owner),
refused to give me back my full change. From her body
language (I couldn’t understand her Italian), she was telling me
that she didn’t have any coins to give me and that I should just
take what I got. I had been warned about that practice
beforehand, hence my reason for walking with a calculator
during shopping. That day, however, when the lady refused to
give me my change was the straw that broke the camel’s back! I
stood there for a moment, stared at her in disbelief, then left
the store.
It was then that my dream of Rome being this chivalrous,
pristine and fairy tale place was shattered. It felt like being in
the middle of a jungle, instead of the grand and majestic place I
had watched on TV. It was just like those images of African
children with flies pitching on their faces, being depicted by the
media again. The images on TV did not tell the complete story
146
and one really had to travel there or do further research to get a

better idea about the culture.
Those reality checks really made me appreciate my country
even more. Like some Jamaicans, I had got into the habit of
cursing and complaining about the ills of my country. It had to
take my experience of travelling to other countries to realise
that I was living in paradise back home, well sort of.
My time in Rome, however, was not a total disappointment.
My classmates and I still had a good time. What I loved about
Rome was the food. It was so rich, healthy and tasty. From the
food on the aeroplane, to the conference food, as well as
evening dinners - all were fantastic. Yes, you heard me right,
the food on Alitalia xxxix was one of the best tasting meals I had
ever eaten in the air. No other airline food could beat theirs!
Before travelling to Italy, I had always loved to eat pasta
and had enjoyed when my mother prepared it at home. At
times I secretly wondered if Italian was in my bloodline but
chose not to speak about it, lest it caused an uproar at home.
I observed that the Italians didn’t have a lot of meat in their
dishes. You didn’t see those big chunks of chicken or beef that
we were used to eating in Jamaica. The Italians had thin slices
of meat that they ate in their sandwiches along with lots of
pasta and bread as part of their meals. Could this be one of the
reasons why weight loss was so hard for many Jamaicans? I
pondered a lot on this topic while there.
I also observed that the Italians didn’t eat a whole lot of
food at once. They ate small portions frequently, and,
importantly, they ate slowly, which is great for your digestive
system.
In Rome, there is a culture of dining in restaurants until
late in the nights and I enjoyed that a lot while there. It felt as if
I was on an exquisite date in the city of love. Oh Roma! This
culture of dining extended to what I refer to as side-walk
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T. A. Hyman
dining58 surrounded by an ambiance of love and accentuated by

the fresh smell of the city. Superb!
I remember going out late one evening for dinner with my
classmates, even though I was very hesitant because of my
sensitive stomach. Remember I had mentioned in Chapter 2
that if my stomach just sensed anything wrong with a meal, it
would revolt. It was thus difficult for me to eat late at nights,
especially heavy foods like pasta, which usually resulted in me
losing sleep for the entire night.
I still went along with my classmates and we got a table on
the side-walk where I took a huge risk and ordered pasta. As we
say in Jamaica, ‘Wah yuh doan du a yaad, yuh du abraad!’59 We ate,
talked, laughed and enjoyed ourselves, returning home just
before midnight. That night, I slept like a baby and woke up in
the morning with no stomach issues. Amazing! Years later, I
realised that a possible reason for no stomach aches was that
the pasta made in Rome was different from that in North
America and the Caribbean. What were we eating back home in
Jamaica? I really believe it has something to do with the gluten
content in the pasta available in many North American and
Jamaican stores.
Aside from Italian food, I also enjoyed shopping in Rome,
especially for shoes. Shoes were expensive there, but unique,
stylish and long-lasting. Consequently, I made every effort to
purchase some. Even to this day, I still have some of those
shoes from Rome in my closet.
My experience in Rome was an eye-opener and the
disillusionment that I suffered in the beginning, dissipated.
There are times when mainstream media paint picture perfect
images of people and countries, but you have to travel there
58
Tables on the outside of a restaurant which could be close to a walkway, or where
cars were parked
59
What you wouldn’t normally do in your home country is done when you visit or live
in a foreign country
148
first to get a more balanced view. In Patwa we say, ‘come si mi

an’ live wid mi a two diffrent tings’. 60
Travelling really opens up your eyes to what really exists
out in the world. It is, therefore, my desire to see as many
Jamaicans as possible receive the opportunity to travel, to see
what the world has to offer, and not rely solely on what
mainstream media show them. Could travel really help to
change the negative views that some Jamaicans have of
Jamaica? Could it reduce some of the challenges Jamaica has
with crime and violence, especially among our youth?
I think that travel is one way to broaden the scope and
exposure of persons outside of their immediate environment. It
can allow them to see different things, activating their creative
juices and stirring up innovative ideas. This is one of the
reasons my company, SKOLASTIK OASIS CARIBBEAN (SOC)
was formed. I desire that Caribbean nationals have the same, or
similar experiences that I had to build a better Caribbean.
Sounds utopic? It probably is, but someone has to try and defy
the status quo.
At the end of the conference, I departed from Rome with a
strong sense of realism about the world. It was not a perfect
place, despite references to countries as being developed or
developing. Poverty, lack and pain are everywhere, in some
places more than others; but there is also joy, hope and peace
too. Rome left an indelible mark on me and I was glad to get
such a wake-up call. It made me even more appreciative of my
country, Jamaica.
60
Your first impression of someone may be very pleasant, however it is not until you
live with them, that you truly know who they are
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T. A. Hyman
T.A. Hyman (left) dining with her classmates at an Italian

Restaurant in Rome
Taking the Shinkansen
My first and only experience of taking the Shinkansen,

otherwise known as the bullet train, was exhilarating. It was
my first time travelling by train to the south of Japan all by
myself. My city, Kashiwa, is located in the mid-eastern section
of Japan (Kanto region) and I was headed to southern Japan
(Kyushu region) (Map 3).
As was done for both my trips to the UK and Rome, I
submitted an academic abstract to present my research at the
9th Asia Pacific Forum for Graduate Students’ Research in
Tourism. This was to be held at the Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific
University in Beppu, Oita Prefecture (Map 3). By then, it was
becoming a regular practice of mine to submit abstracts to
scientific conferences, get accepted and present my research in
150
those forums. When I reflect on my time in Japan, I realise that

those opportunities helped to shape my presentation skills and
enabled me to stand confidently before audiences.
My plan was to also meet up with Kerisa in Ehime
prefecture, right after the conference in Beppu, and ‘kill two
birds with one stone’. 61 Kerisa is a fellow Jamaican who I met at
the Embassy of Japan in Jamaica, just before travelling to
Japan. We both got MEXT scholarships to study in Japan at the
same time and maintained contact with each other while in
Japan.
On the morning of July 9, 2010, I boarded the
Shinkansen from Tokyo in the east, to Beppu in the south, a
6-hour journey. That train went so fast, you didn’t even feel it.
Whew! On the inside of the Shinkansen, the seating was very
comfortable, so I just relaxed and took in the scenery. I also did
some work on my laptop as well.
I arrived at the Beppu Train Station in the afternoon and
despite being exhausted went straight to the conference at the
Ritsumeikan University with my bags. I managed to stay awake
to meet people from all across Japan and the globe, as well as
participate in the conference activities. Then in the evening I
quickly retired to my hotel room.
On day two of the conference, I presented my research to
my academic peers titled: ‘Away from the Coast! Is this
possible? Assessing the Vulnerability of Coastal versus Inland
tourism to specific Climate Change effects in Jamaica’. The
entire session went well. During the closing ceremony on that
same day, I was pleasantly surprised to be selected as one of
the recipients for the Best Paper Award,xl which simply blew
me
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Accomplishing two or more things at the same time
151
T. A. Hyman
away. That award was a breath of fresh air for me, as I was in
the last phase of my master’s degree which was proving to be
very stressful. It was almost two years of being in Japan and my
programme was winding down with critical deadlines to meet.
After the conference, the focus would be on writing my thesis
for the summer and preparing to defend it at the end of August
2010. Receiving that award was a poignant reminder that,
indeed, T.A. Hyman had something valuable to offer to the
world.
T.A. Hyman (centre) receiving the Best Paper Award at the

9th Asia Pacific Forum for Graduate Students Research in Tourism,
Beppu, Japan.
The Onsen
There was an option as part of the 9th Asia Pacific Forum to

visit an onsen as Beppu city is known worldwide for its
onsens. An onsen is a hot spring where there is public
bathing. There are separate baths for men and women and one
bathes (or soaks), fully naked. There are also mixed onsens
where men and women bathe naked while minding their own
business. Calm down folks. You have options! When I had gone
on the trip to Hakone in November 2008 (Chapter 5), I had
inquired about wearing a bathing suit in the onsen and was
152
told that it was not allowed. At that time, I chose to do another

activity instead of bathing.
Thereafter, however, I simply avoided going to onsens.
Why you may ask? Why not take on that experience and
embrace the new adventure, especially in the city known for
great onsens? Well, I had heard the stories of Japanese
persons staring at the bodies of Non-Japanese persons while
they bathed, not in an intimate way, but more so out of
curiosity - and for comparative purposes, I suppose. You know
like comparing apples and oranges? Or better yet, forks and
chopsticks?
Some of you already know that black men and women are
greatly endowed with God given assets, which are usually more
sizeable than the assets of non-blacks. I believe that God just
gave my race double for their trouble in this world. Don’t let me
start preaching right here! With those uncomfortable stories of
staring, I simply chose not to share my assets publicly. I was
already being stared at on the bus and train when fully clothed,
then to be stared at in my birthday suit? That was where the
rubber hit the road. At times, I even wondered if people were
allowed to carry cameras into the onsens, even video
recorders? Can you imagine being photographed in your
birthday suit? Caramba!
What if I saw persons from the conference at the onsen?
then had to present as normal the following day at the
conference, fully clothed? Well, I am exaggerating a bit here
because the onsen trip was on the last day of the conference,
but you know what I mean. I was not used to public bathing, so
I graciously declined invitations to visit onsens during my
time in Japan. You just never knew who you could meet there
without clothes on and to then be constantly compared
in the
sub-conscious minds of persons was just not my ‘cup of tea’.
Can you also imagine what goes through the mind of men
and women at a mixed onsen as they pretend not to look at
each other? Lord have mercy! My imagination was way too
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T. A. Hyman
active with different scenarios to attempt to visit an onsen.

Nonetheless, I’m not discouraging anyone from going. If you
want the experience, go and enjoy it. I just chose not to, but
instead, to safeguard my assets and prevent them from being
appraised without my approval.
My time in Beppu was really great, though. In fact, it was
unforgettable. I really needed a change of scenery towards the
end of my master’s programme, with my thesis almost due. It
was also during that time that I started pondering what my
next steps in life should be. Should I return home to Jamaica?
Or, should I stay in Japan to do a PhD? Beppu was, therefore,
a welcomed break that summer and provided a relaxing
environment, with great people and lots of fresh air. I simply
soaked it all up (no pun intended).
The Overnight Ferry
My next adventure was to leave straight from the 9th Asia

Pacific Forum in Beppu to visit Kerisa in Ehime prefecture.
Upon her recommendation, I took the overnight ferry xli from
the Beppu Port in Oita Prefecture to the Matsuyama ferry
terminal in Ehime Prefecture (Map 3). I boarded the overnight
ferry and it departed promptly at 10:00 p.m. in the night. Can
you believe that I travelled all by myself?
That night, surrounded by so many Japanese on the ferry,
on
water, I barely slept. I was scared as hell because I remembered
the movie ‘Titanic’. Several thoughts flooded my mind: What if
the boat sank? Would I get sea sick with the constant
movements of the boat? Why did I allow Kerisa to convince
me to go on a ferry?
Whenever I reflect on that night, I always shake my head
and
say, “Tracy you were really brave to do that. What if something
had happened to you on the boat? Who would help you? Or
154
better yet, would you have been able to communicate in

Japanese? What if someone had tried to harm you?”
Being among total strangers with limited Japanese
language ability was scary, but in the end, nothing bad
happened. No Titanic episode, no sea sickness - Thank God!
Japan really brought out another side of me that I never knew
existed. That side took on major risks and fearlessly explored
the unknown.
Kerisa met me at the Matsuyama dock early the next
morning and I was just simply relieved to have made it through
the night on the ferry. It was good to see a familiar face, catch
up and speak in English and Patwa to Kerisa during that time.
We talked for hours, right throughout the night, exchanging
our cultural experiences in Japan. Kerisa had started to do
Judo classes and was part of a group. I was very intrigued by
that new development and even met her Judo family. Kerisa’s
Japanese was also near fluent and I was impressed by her
growth.
We went to lunch and dinner with some of Kerisa’s friends
and it was while eating, that it suddenly hit me - the dramatic
improvement in my mastery of those darn chopsticks. What an
awesome feeling. After almost two years of living in Japan,
nearing the end of my studies, mastery had come. Those darn
chopsticks held firmly in my hand, had become like second
nature to me. It was almost as if I had come straight from the
womb with two sticks in my hand. It may take time to adjust to
a new culture, but when it starts to happen, it happens
seamlessly. Wow. Finally!
155
Takeaways
 Despite the unplanned challenges you face in a new

environment, make no excuses. Do what you set out to
do. Success will be your reward.
 Words can be very powerful. Our words can have such
an influence over people, places and systems that we
don’t even realise it. As such, do not underestimate the
power of your words.
 There is a strong desire by Non-Jamaicans for authentic
Jamaican culture - food and music. This should be
packaged creatively and wisely, by those engaged in
promoting Brand Jamaica, globally.
 When it is time to perform, even if you are tired or had a
bad day, you still have to find the energy to perform.
The audience doesn’t care about your bad day. It is all
about giving your best, despite how you feel.
 Culture Shock is real and needs to be factored in when
you travel to a foreign country.
 Travelling really opens up your eyes to what really exists
in the world. It is therefore important to travel and see
what the world has to offer.
 Try to maintain a balanced viewpoint when watching
T.V. or viewing different media platforms.
 Poverty, lack and pain are everywhere, some places
more than others, whether it is a developed or
developing country.
 Sometimes we may complain about our home country
and are not grateful for what we have. Travelling to
other countries sometimes makes you more
appreciative of your home country.
 Travelling exposure can contribute positively towards
the development of innovative ideas, especially among
the youth.
156
 When you are studying and under pressure, you can

take the time off and change your scenery to recharge.
 If you are not comfortable with participating in cultural
activities within a new culture, don’t. That is okay.
 Sometimes you have to take risks and go outside of your
comfort zone. It is during those times, that you may be
pleasantly surprised by the positive result of your
actions.
 Try to meet up with friends and interact with persons
from your culture where possible. This helps you to
mentally cope, while living in a foreign country.
 Improvement may not always come overnight; it takes
time. Learn to be patient and appreciate the process.
When it does come, you will be surprised at how much
you have improved.
 It may take time to adjust to a new culture, but when it
starts to happen, it happens seamlessly.
157
NOTES
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T. A. Hyman
160
CHAPTER 11:
The Fork vs. Chopsticks
Philosophies
161
T. A. Hyman
Back to Reality
Spending time with Kerisa was great and a welcomed relief, but
it was time to get back to reality, the main reason for being in
Japan - my master’s degree. So, on Monday July 12, 2010 I
boarded the Shinkansen and headed straight back to
Kashiwa, Chiba.
As mentioned before, my programme was in the process of
winding down, because my master’s thesis submission and
defence were coming up in August 2010. So, after my
entrepreneurial pursuits and brief singing career at the One
Love Jamaica Festival in May; my trips to Rome, Beppu and
Ehime between June and July, it was simply time to settle
down and focus.
The next month leading up to defending my thesis was thus
a very intense time. There were several distractions during that
time and I simply had to block them out to focus on writing my
thesis. I remember talking to myself often, like a coach talking
to an athlete, even scolding myself like a parent scolding a
child, in order to stay focused. Self-talk helped me
tremendously during that time to persevere and keep going.
Remember, during my time in Japan, I was forced to
meditate a lot, especially since friends and family members
were not around. Consequently, I did a lot of thinking,
reflection and self-talk during those times. This is probably
what prisoners go through while incarcerated, with the only
difference being that I was not incarcerated, which was way
better.
During that time, I thought a lot about whether to stay in
Japan and do a PhD, or to return to Jamaica. Those thoughts
consumed my mind continuously because I wasn’t sure what
my next step would be after completing my master’s degree.
What was I going back to Jamaica to do?
162
I remember speaking to different persons living in Japan at

the time, with some saying stay in Japan, while others were
saying, go home. It felt so much like the story of the man, the
boy and the donkey. xlii Everyone had their own opinion of what
I should do and it was difficult to please everyone. The question
then became, what was the best thing for Tracy? This led me to
start reviewing job opportunities to teach English in Japan. I
searched extensively online and applied for several teaching
jobs.xliii I also started checking out PhD programmes outside of
Japan as well. Deep down, however, my desire was to pursue a
PhD in Japan. I desired to stay on in Japan as my time had
come to an end too quickly and I felt there was more to do
there.
From as far back as November 2009, my senior classmate
Caroline, had encouraged a group of us to save funds from our
scholarship stipend each month, once our programme started
to wind down in Japan. That would provide a financial buffer
just in case we didn’t transition into something else with an
income stream immediately. That bit of advice was important
because of the uncertainties that could arise at the end of the
course, especially with me not sure of what to do next.
The MEXT Scholarship funds would cease in October 2010.
So in January 2010, I started to put aside some funds each
month, which would prove to be one of the wisest decisions I
made during my time in Japan. I am so thankful to my class
seniors for having that discussion with us.
Thesis Defence
I submitted my thesis on August 11, 2010, titled: ‘Climate

Change Adaptation Options for Sustainable Tourism in Small
Island States: A Case study in Jamaica’. I remember staying up
the entire night at the university lab with Jose, doing my
reference list. That was my first time ever working straight
from evening into morning and not sleeping.
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T. A. Hyman
The thesis defence took place a week later, a day which

remains forever etched in my mind. A lot of time went into
preparing my PowerPoint presentation for the defence, and
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T. A. Hyman
there were sessions organised with my other classmates to

hone our public speaking and presentation skills. We took
turns presenting, asking each other questions and giving
pointers. That time was truly intense and it would be my first
time doing an academic defence.
On the day in question, we had to sit in a room with all the
professors from our faculty, alongside our classmates and any
other person who wanted to attend to support us. Each of my
classmates presented for 20 minutes, followed by 10 minutes of
question and answer by the professors and this was done
according to an assigned order. After each of my classmates
presented, the questions coming from the Professors got harder
and harder. Then came my turn to present.
I went with confidence to the podium and presented as I
had practised, but nothing would have prepared me for the
question-and-answer section that followed. One professor who
knew nothing about my research attempted to discredit my
research which had consumed me for the past two years. He
couldn’t understand the measurements used in my
methodology62 and started to question the efficacy of the
methodology in a very abrasive manner. He claimed that my
results were too subjective and when I tried to explain it to
him, he made it appear as if it made no sense.
At one point, I was on the verge of making an outburst, but
decided against it. My thesis defence, therefore, ended on a
negative note, as it was deemed ‘too subjective’ by a professor
who was not familiar with my work at all.
Neither my supervisor nor co-supervisor (senseis) said
anything throughout that time. I was left to stand on my own
two feet and defend my work. When it finally ended, I was
upset because I wanted to cop the best thesis award during
graduation. At that rate, it seemed that that would no longer be
possible, nor would I pass the defence and graduate.
I remember getting a break at the end of all the
presentations and going outside to a quiet place on the
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Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis
165
T. A. Hyman
university campus. As we say in Jamaica, ‘I bawled the living

eye water.’63 I couldn’t tell the last time crying over academics
like that. I cried till I turned red, not in front of my classmates
though, far from them. How could two years of work be
smashed to pieces in twenty minutes, and by such an arrogant
Professor?
Little did I know that that negative encounter would turn
around to benefit me in the future. It would teach me how to
skilfully handle opposition while presenting, especially in
international settings. Importantly, I found out later that I
wasn’t the only one who had bawled that day. Some of my other
classmates cried as well because the experience was simply
overwhelming. That whole experience I eventually learnt was
part of Asian culture and is often referred to as the ‘Tiger Mom’
philosophy.
The ‘Tiger Mom’ philosophy is used by some Asians to get
their children to excel in school. It involves making the child
feel that they haven’t done enough work or that they can do
much better at school. The ‘Tiger Mom’ also does not provide
much encouragement or even praise. The aim is to force the
child to strive harder, so that by default, they succeed and come
out on top of the class or ahead of the bunch. You could say
that it’s like reverse psychology.
This, however, does not always work, in some cultures
(especially western culture) where negative reinforcement can
destroy one’s self image and lead to poor
behaviour/performance. B.F. Skinner, a well-known
psychologist, developed the Operant Conditioning theory or
Behaviourism, which states that positive reinforcement leads
to the repetition of desired behaviour, whereas negative
reinforcement results in the opposite.
I remember being upset that my Sensei had not come to my
rescue during the defence, not realising that that experience
would better prepare me to stand up on my own two feet in the
63
Cried intensely / bawled
166
future. I would have to learn to fight my own battles. Yes, it was

very painful, but it would help me in the long run.
At the end of the day, when our thesis defence meeting
reconvened, we all passed and would graduate in a month’s
time. Mama Mia! Caramba! Tasukette! What a roller coaster
ride!
The PhD Interview
Being in Japan for almost two years, contemplations of my next

steps were foremost on my mind. I seriously considered doing a
PhD, continuing in the area of Sustainability Science at the
University of Tokyo, Japan. During that time, a scholarship call
was made within my department for persons interested in
researching on Sustainability Science at the PhD level and so I
applied. Fortunately, I was shortlisted for the scholarship
interview that was slated for a week after my thesis defence.
On the day of the interview I was very nervous, especially as
the room was filled with over ten persons, all Japanese male
professors, including my Sensei. Most of the panel were also
present at my master’s thesis defence, one week prior. I gave a
copy of my proposal to the main panellists and presented my
proposal, with as much confidence as I could muster.
Based on the feedback received at my thesis defence from
that one professor, I was of the impression that the professors
didn’t really understand my research. It was therefore my task
to make them understand and convince them of the value of my
research. The thought of doing that proved overwhelming.
I gave it my best shot, but based on the questions asked by
the panel, it didn’t seem that they were convinced about the
value of my research topic, and in the end I was unsuccessful.
That was very disappointing news for me. I was so downcast
during that time that words cannot even express my mental
state.
Shortly after, I met with my Sensei to discuss the result of the
PhD Interview.
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Meeting with Sensei
Deep down I was still upset with my Sensei for being silent
during my master’s thesis defence. Nonetheless, I managed to
push those emotions aside in order to be neutral during our
meeting. Sensei explained to me that the scholarship panel was
not convinced of the validity of the methodology used in my
master’s research, specifically Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis
(MCDA). They needed further clarity on that methodology.
The panel also didn’t know what my expected outcomes and
hypothesis were for my proposed PhD research, despite me
giving the main panel members a copy of my proposal at the
start of my interview. Imagine, two months prior, I had
received the Best Paper Award for my work at the Asia Pacific
Forum in Beppu, but now in Kashiwa, the same work was
falling short. I tried to make sense of all that my Sensei was
saying to me, but it was just not making sense.
What was confusing to me in Sensei’s responses was that he
seemed to take himself out of the equation as well. Prior to the
defence, there was a lot of encouragement and positive
feedback from him, but, thereafter, he seemed to be very
diplomatic when talking with me. He seemed to act as if he
didn’t know much about my research methodology. That was
strange, since he had supervised my work over the last two
years. AHHH Tasukette!
Despite Sensei’s detachment, he managed to share
something very deep and profound with me. In our interactions
over the past two years, he had left some serious nuggets of
wisdom with me. He went on to emphasize the use of the words
‘I’ versus ‘WE.’ My understanding of his statement was that my
use of the word ‘I’ while talking or making presentations, even
in daily interactions, was taboo.
From a Japanese perspective, the use of the word ‘I,’
especially as it relates to work being done in group settings was
not acceptable. It was all about group work, the team and not
the individual. It would have been more suitable to use the
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word ‘WE’. Why didn’t he tell me that before? Nonetheless,

that critical bit of information and insight has also left an
indelible mark on me until this day.
Additionally, I had often observed the importance of group
consensus within the Japanese culture when certain decisions
had to be made. It was evident when we went on trips or ate at
a restaurant together. It was not about individual preferences
but more so group consensus. If a decision was to be made,
whether complex or simple, the group decided.
It was at that critical juncture, during the meeting with
Sensei that the concept of Western thinking versus Asian
thinking hit home to me. It finally made sense and summed up
an important distinction between Jamaican and Japanese
culture, after two years of living in Japan.
In Jamaica, we learnt to speak for ourselves and give an
account of our individual actions, not the actions of the group,
per se. That is ingrained in us right throughout our life and so
our language reflects it. In Japan, however, it is not about the I,
but the WE, the group, the team; team work and group
consensus are very critical to their way of life, success and
psyche.
Explaining the Fork vs. Chopsticks Philosophies
The fork is the main piece of cutlery that many Jamaicans use
to eat their meals; often not bothering to eat with a knife. In
fact, most packaged meals only come with a fork. The
Japanese, however, need both sticks to eat a meal. It would be
very difficult or near impossible to eat with one chopstick. This
represents the group or team mentality, which forms part of
their way of life and psyche. It is all about the effort of the
team and not the individual effort. This is what I call the ‘I
versus We’ ethos, or the ‘fork versus chopsticks philosophies’.
The use of the fork by Jamaicans and the use of chopsticks by
the Japanese offers us a
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T. A. Hyman
simple yet profound comparison between the Jamaican and

Japanese cultures. Darn! It took me until the end of my
master’s programme to figure it all out.
In hindsight, I realise that those chopsticks were not just
eating utensils. They represented a certain philosophy with
high expectations. These expectations make up what I refer to
as the ‘chopsticks philosophy’. In order for one to achieve
success there needs to be input, investment and involvement of
several stakeholders. And the success achieved does not only
belong to the person who ‘achieves’ it, but to the group as a
whole. I believe that this chopsticks philosophy is responsible
for moving the Japanese from point A to point B within their
society i.e. from failure to success or from poverty to
prosperity. This may sound cliché or obvious to some readers,
but, interestingly, this is not always the case.
In Chapter 2, we spoke about this art of eating, and that
those sticks have a particular modus operandi in the Japanese
culture. Their use required synchronized finger movements,
coordination and balance. Every finger-thumb, index, middle,
ring and pinky fingers - had a role to play and worked together
to achieve the goal of eating. 64
Those chopsticks however, while requiring synchronisation
and coordination were not perfect and had its flaws and
inherent weaknesses. They could not carry too much weight
and so I allude to some of those weaknesses in Chapters 8 and
14.
The use of a fork, on the other hand, also requires
coordination, balance and, importantly, focus. The fork has
four prongs and is curved to carry food of different sizes and
shapes to the mouth. It is also sturdy, making it possible to
carry a lot of weight. The design of the fork, I think, suggests
strength,
flexibility and adaptability to changing environments and
circumstances. It however supports an individualistic ethos,
64
I have written another song about this experience titled ‘Hashi’. Download and
listen to this song on Youtube and other online platforms as well.
170
when used on its own to eat. I refer to this idea as the ‘fork
philosophy’.
The individualistic style and flair of the fork changes
however, when it is used together with a knife. In this instance
it supports the team mentality - the group approach, somewhat
similar to that of the chopsticks. Both knife and fork can work
together in unity to achieve a common goal. Case in point:
When there was no table for me at the One Love Jamaica
Festival, I could have given up or not bothered with selling, but
instead Bert and I chose to use the ground as our table, and as
a result, made a lot of sales.
Both eating utensils therefore have their strengths and
weaknesses and they each have their place in societies across
the globe. The multi-million-dollar question for me having
lived in Japan, was how to get the best of both worlds i.e. what
to extract from the fork and chopsticks philosophies to enhance
myself, my nation and peoples across the world towards socio-
economic advancement and the pursuit of prosperity.
Darn Chopsticks Philosophy - Part 1
In the beginning, it may be difficult to adapt to a new

environment / culture. It can even be very stressful and
frustrating. However, after persevering, adaptation comes.
Mastery of those darn chopsticks come. I use the chopsticks as
a metaphor to describe my time adapting to Japanese culture
while pursuing a master’s degree. This period involved the
intersection or clashing of two cultures and the ability to
navigate differences towards a positive outcome. In my case
this resulted in a change of mindset and the formation of a
budding business.
Based on the principles that I brought from the fork culture
to Japan, I have managed to fuse aspects of it together with
aspects of the chopsticks culture that I coin as the ‘Darn
Chopsticks Philosophy’. My experiences in Japan (fork fused
with chopsticks) were therefore used to form a company upon
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T. A. Hyman
returning to Jamaica. This philosophy therefore supports the

journey of upward social mobility through the vehicle of
education towards entrepreneurship. In my case, this is the
result of the West meeting the East!
There are different aspects of those darn chopsticks that
relate to
- Mentality / thinking
- Daily living
- Social interaction
- Doing business
- Crisis Management
I have been able to extract 12 key principles from the

different aspects of the chopsticks (merged with aspects of the
fork philosophy), to support the Darn Chopsticks philosophy.
This Darn Chopsticks philosophy as is coined, can serve as a
guide for both Japanese and Non-Japanese persons on the road
towards socio-economic advancement. I discuss this
philosophy in great detail in the ‘How Do You Use Those Darn
Chopsticks, Workbook’, which is set to be released after this
book. Remember to order your copy when it becomes available.
Bouncing Back
Despite that nugget of wisdom from Sensei and my subsequent

epiphany, the experience of a very challenging thesis defence
and failure to get the scholarship for the PhD had a negative
psychological impact on me. My self-confidence had dropped,
and, thereafter, whenever I spoke about my research, I had the
tendency to over compensate for my work.
During our meeting, Sensei had encouraged me to try and
get my master’s thesis published in a scientific journal, as that
would bring validation to my work among the professors at the
University of Tokyo. He suggested that having published my
paper, I could reapply to the University of Tokyo to do a PhD
after three years, because that was when I could access the
172
MEXT scholarship again. He told me that he knew I would be a

good candidate for the course as I was a hard worker.
Despite the drop in my confidence level, it did not deter me
from persevering towards success. It fuelled a fire inside of me
to keep going and prove those professors wrong. When I
eventually relocated to Jamaica in 2011 and started to engage
in academia again, I remember attending a workshop in
Barbados in 2012. One of the leading scientists in the field of
climate change was very much interested in my research topic
from Japan and helped me to publish a scientific paper in a
major Journal in 2013. xliv As the saying goes, ‘What is trash to
one person, is treasure for another’.
Publishing the scientific paper in that major journal had
such a positive impact on me that it reversed the fragments of
inadequacy that I felt and the thought of not being good
enough for the PhD panel in Japan. I remember sending the
article to my Sensei via email and he congratulated me on this
significant achievement. Yes!
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T. A. Hyman
Takeaways
 Focus on your reason for being in a foreign country. Is it

to study, work or do business? If the answer is yes, don’t
lose sight of that goal despite the distractions.
 Self-talk helps a lot, especially to encourage yourself
and keep you going. No, you are not mad if you practice
self-talk!
 In life you can’t always function like the man with the
boy and the donkey, sometimes you have to make
decisions that may not please everyone, but are in your
best interest.
 If you are on a scholarship, remember to put aside some
savings, especially as you approach the end of your
course. This will create a financial buffer, just in case
you don’t acquire another income stream immediately.
 Sometimes being left to stand on your own two feet will
bring about positive character development and ‘stick-
to-it-ive-ness’ to the task.
 Cultural norms and expectations vary between cultures.
Know and accept this. Oftentimes, those cultural cues
can be identified as part of the language of a people. In
Japan for example, group preferences come before
individual preferences - the chopsticks philosophy. In
Jamaica, at times, it can be the opposite of the
chopsticks philosophy - the fork philosophy.
 The Darn Chopsticks philosophy is the result of a fusion
of Jamaican and Japanese culture and has 12 key
principles attached to it. It is specifically geared towards
the socio-economic advancement of peoples through the
vehicle of education towards entrepreneurship.
174
 Failing is painful, but it is part of life. Don’t remain in
that position forever. Keep on trying and persevering
until you become successful.
175
 What may appear foolish in one arena is viewed as wise
and very much desired in another. Know where to pitch
your story. Find the right audience. ‘What is trash to
one person is treasure for another’.
176
NOTES
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CHAPTER 12:
We Did It!
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T. A. Hyman
Graduation
After two challenging, yet life-changing years in Japan, I

graduated on Monday September 27, 2010. To God be the
Glory! Great things He has done! The time passed so quickly,
even though there were times when I wondered if that day
would ever come. In the end, however, it all came together.
My father flew all the way from Jamaica to attend my
graduation ceremony and so did my sister who lives in the USA
(Map 1). When my father arrived at the Narita International
Airport in Japan, he exclaimed, “That was the longest flight I
ever took in my life”. He was simply bowled over by the fact
that he had travelled so far.
Early Monday morning, September 27, my father, sister and
I travelled by train to the Hongo Campus in Tokyo where the
official graduation ceremony was held at 8 a.m. sharp. Both my
father and sister witnessed first-hand what it was like to be
squashed like sardines in a Japanese train. We travelled during
the rush hour period and they were amazed by how well the
Japanese squeezed and fit themselves into every space in the
train. In Patwa we say, they filled up ‘evri crevice an’ caana’. 65
What an experience!
At the graduation ceremony, graduates from all three
campuses were present i.e. Kashiwa, Komaba and Hongo
campuses. Most of my classmates were present from the
Kashiwa campus and we all sat together during the ceremony. I
was dressed in Traditional Jamaican clothes 66 courtesy of Marie
from Jamma Designs in Jamaica. xlv My graduation day had
finally come and it was a great feeling to have my family there
with me.
After the official ceremony in Tokyo, the Hyman family
travelled again by train to my University in Kashiwa for the
65
All possible spaces / every single space
66
Jamaican Bandana—Traditional Dress
180
departmental graduation. It was therefore a double graduation

that day. There, my classmates and I were presented with our
official graduation certificates in true Japanese style. Instead of
the usual western handshakes, as graduates, we held one side
of the certificate and the presenter held the other side and then
we bowed together to acknowledge receipt. That was amazing!
T.A. Hyman (left) receives her graduation certificate from Sawa Sensei
(right) with a bow instead of a handshake at the department graduation on
the Kashiwa campus.
My father and sister met my sensei, classmates and other

professors in my department. Interestingly, I was the only
student among our batch of graduates who had family present.
This spoke volumes to everyone.
We took lots of photos that day and I enjoyed every
moment of it. After all, that day was a significant milestone in
my life, one which will forever remain etched in my mind. I had
matured so much over those past two years and was simply
grateful for that achievement. Here I was collecting my
certificate, with family, friends and colleagues by my side in
Japan, 8000 miles away from home in Jamaica. Surely, I could
now say that I mastered those darn chopsticks - graduating
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T. A. Hyman
from university in Japan? Right? I got that master’s degree!

Well, nothing could have spoiled that moment for me, despite
the fact that more lay ahead to learn and experience from those
darn little chopsticks. There were different sides and aspects to
those chopsticks, that were yet to be learnt. Little did I know of
the magnitude and gravity of events that lay ahead in the next
chapter of my life.
T.A. Hyman (right) posing with her sensei (centre) and father (left) on the
day of her graduation, September 27, 2010.
182
The Graduating Class of 2010
Daddy and Lisa experience Japan
It was good to have my sister and father in Japan with me for

graduation. After the formalities at my university, we travelled
around and did a lot of sightseeing. We visited the Tokyo
Tower, Harajuku, and the famous Aalawi Jamaican
Restaurantxlvi in Tokyo (Map 2). I also took them shopping, well
mostly window shopping, at the different Japanese shopping
malls. They ate Japanese food, took the bus and the train,
basically receiving a crash course on living in Japan. They met
my friends, classmates and got an idea of what my time had
been like in Japan over the past two years. At times, I felt like
an unofficial tour guide who got the rare opportunity to relax
and see Japan from the perspective of a tourist.
Daddy ate Sashimi!
While in Japan, our MEXT scholarship also gave us the option

to work up to 20 hours per week. I took advantage of that
provision by teaching English part-time to supplement my
monthly stipend. One of my students was Toshiko San, a
housewife with two children who lived in Tokyo. I visited her
once per week to do conversational English classes.
After graduation, she graciously invited my family and I
over for traditional Japanese dinner to celebrate the significant
milestone. That traditional dinner was prepared by her mother-
in-law who loved to entertain guests and was very excited to
have us over. The table was laid in true Japanese style and the
house was filled with Toshiko’s family along with mine - two
cultures meeting in one place in love, unity and peace.
We got so comfortable that evening, especially my father.
He ate sashimi67 - something he had never done before and I
was shocked that he took the plunge. He must have felt very
67
Thin slices of raw fish
183
T. A. Hyman
comfortable that night to have done so. I’d been in Japan for
two years and had never eaten sashimi in my sushi before. I
had eaten sushi with vegetables and rice in it, but not with
sashimi in it. I stayed clear of it. With my sensitive stomach,
there was no way I was eating raw fish!
Some Japanese may refer to me as being ‘yowai’, (weak),

but in Jamaican culture we don’t really eat raw food. In most
cases our food has to be well done or even overdone. In Japan,
I just chose to keep on the straight and narrow where food was
concerned. Daddy, on the other hand, threw all caution out of
the window and ate the sashimi and I was proud of him for
taking such a risk. He didn’t get sick at all and thoroughly
enjoyed the Japanese traditional dinner.
We sang songs that evening and exchanged many cultural

stories. We laughed and made a lot of noise. For those who
couldn’t speak English the story was translated and vice versa.
Toshiko’s husband was good at speaking English and
translating into Japanese.
184
Toshiko’s mother-in-law even promised to make a trip to

Jamaica to visit us and we told her that she was more than
welcome to come and stay with us. We treasured that evening
so much and never wanted it to end. That was another
memorable day while living in Japan. Using those chopsticks at
the traditional Japanese dinner table had truly become second
nature by then.
My Father and the Japanese Truck Driver
I finally made up my mind to stay on in Japan with the hope to

work until I could re-enter the University of Tokyo to pursue
the PhD in Sustainability science. The lease on my apartment
in Kashiwa was up and it was time to move. I had lived at that
apartment for two years and it literally had grown on me.
I really wanted to continue living at my same apartment,
still paying the rent, but that arrangement could not be
accommodated by the university. One thing I learnt about the
Japanese was once your time is up, your time is up. There is no
extension, no grace period or ‘bly’68 as we would say in
Jamaica.
During the period leading up to my graduation, I was
engaged in intense apartment hunting, which continued when
my father and sister came to Japan. In the end, with the help of
a real estate agent, I was able to locate an apartment in
Mabashi, about three train stops from where I lived in Kashiwa
(Map 2).
The new apartment was much smaller than my first one
and the walls were very thin, which I discovered later.
Nonetheless, it was a place to live and rest my head each night.
Sometimes when reflecting, I wonder how I lived in such a
small space. It was almost like living in a shoe box.
While packing up the stuff from my old apartment, I started
contemplating how to move my second-hand furniture and
68
Extended courtesies
185
T. A. Hyman
personal items to the new apartment. Eventually, I was able to

find a truck driver that could move them for me. On moving
day, the truck driver packed all my furniture and belongings
into his truck but there was no space left to carry my father,
sister and I.
Someone, however, had to go with the truck driver and so
my father decided to go with him. My Father managed to
squeeze himself into the mid-section of the truck like a real
Jamaican and my sister and I travelled by train to the new
apartment to meet them there. Interestingly, my Father didn’t
speak a word of Japanese and the truck driver spoke no English
at all, so you can just imagine that scenario.
My sister and I arrived at the apartment just in time to see
both my father and the truck driver unloading the items with
perfect coordination. Don’t ask me how they did it, but they
apparently communicated using hand signals. There was so
much synchronization and synergy between them that it was
just amazing to watch them in action. It was almost as if my
father and the truck man were operating a haulage business
together.
I was so curious. Did my father speak to the driver in
English or Patwa? Or did the truck driver answer him in
Japanese? I still can’t wrap my head around that one, so I just
left it alone. That incident was just so funny to my sister and I
and whenever we recount this story, we always laugh with my
father.
My sister and I were reminded that day that
communicating not only involves words, but body language -
gesticulations and facial expressions, despite the fact that
persons may speak different languages. One can still get their
point across because there are basic things that run across most
cultures. My father and the Japanese truck driver could have
taught the people from the Tower of Babel in the bible a thing
or two about communicating, if they had lived back then. In
fact, that sounds like a great title for my next book - My Father
186
and the Japanese Truck Driver (my active imagination at work

again; please forgive me).
Importantly, when communicating you can send the wrong,
or mixed signals. This can prove offensive to either the sender
or receiver of your message. For example, in Japan, it is
offensive to point with one finger. When you point, you should
have your entire palm and fingers outstretched. Interestingly,
the hand signal that we use in Jamaica for stop is translated as
‘go’ or ‘come’ in Japan. Can you imagine, if my father showed
the stop signal and the driver proceeded ahead with the
furniture? I shudder to think about it and choose not to speak
about it for the sake of maintaining my sanity. I’m just glad
that there were no broken bones or serious back injuries. The
bottom line, though, is that my belongings were moved safely
to my new apartment and I was ready to start the next chapter
of my life. Or so I thought…
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T. A. Hyman
Takeaways
 When studying in a foreign country the time may

appear to drag on and seems to take forever. Don’t be
fooled though, as, before you know it, time flies and the
end of the course is upon you.
 If you are allowed to earn supplemental income while in
foreign country take advantage of those opportunities.
In my case, I taught English in Japan part-time, and
was able to work for up to 20 hours per week.
 There are some things in a foreign culture that you may
never subscribe to or compromise on; in my case that
was eating raw fish and bathing in an onsen. Nothing
is wrong with that, or the stance you take because of
your personal convictions. In some cases, what is good
for the goose is not good for the gander.
 If it is possible to have your family members or close
friends visit you during your time in a foreign country,
have them visit. It helps a lot. They will see how you
have to live and appreciate your growth and
development.
 The Japanese are strict about procedures and protocols.
Once I stopped being a student, there was no more
access to my apartment. There was no grace period or
‘bly’ as we would say in Jamaica. Make other
arrangements long before the scholarship period ends,
if you choose to work or do further studies in Japan.
 Communication involves both verbal and non-verbal
language. Even if persons speak different languages,
you can still get across some key points through facial
expressions, hand gesticulations and general body
language. There are some basic things (signals) that run
across most cultures.
188
 Know the meaning of hand signals in each culture. It

can save you from embarrassing moments and potential
injuries.
189
T. A. Hyman
NOTES
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T. A. Hyman
CHAPTER 13:
Earthquake!!!
192
Teaching English in Japan: Post-Master’s

Degree
Teaching English in Japan is a booming and growing market,

as many Japanese want to learn to speak English well. I had
sent out several job applications to teach English to Japanese
students (Chapter 11) and in the end, secured the post of an
English Instructor at GABA Inc in Chiba city (Map 2).
GABA Incxlvii is a well-known and established company in
Japan and I was excited to get accepted there. Their type of
English instruction was slightly different, however, than
standard instruction in high school or university classrooms. It
was done in a more conversational style format, versus the
formal setting that I was used to. The English that is taught in
Japanese schools expose many Japanese students to good
grammar and writing skills, but their oral communication skills
are poor, hence the huge demand for GABA’s service.
At GABA Inc, students were exposed to English instructors
from all over the world who resided in Japan. Through an
online platform, students could book an English instructor for
blocks of time, then meet with the instructor face to face for a
one-on-one English session. Those sessions lasted for 40
minutes and were done in small cubicles within our building in
Chiba city.
The group of English Instructors that I worked with at
GABA Inc. was from different parts of the world: New Zealand,
USA, Japan, Canada. I was the only Jamaican. As English
Instructors we followed a standard curriculum, which catered
for beginners right up to the advanced level. My student pool
comprised of business persons, working professionals, home-
makers and high school students. I preferred though to teach
adults.
When I started the one-on-one sessions, I was slightly
concerned that my Jamaican accent may be an issue for the
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T. A. Hyman
students. In the initial stages my bookings were very slow, but
after some time my clients began to increase.
In the end my accent actually worked in my favour. Was it
194
my conversational abilities or that pretty Jamaican chocolate

face that attracted them? I don’t know, but my bookings started
to increase, slowly but surely and I was grateful.
My commute from Mabashi to Chiba city for work took
basically an hour by train each day. It became very tiring as
time went by, compounded by the fact that I started to get
bored at work. Our English curriculum was basically standard
and scripted, so once you went through all the modules, you
became very familiar with the content. Gaba Inc. also didn’t
want us to add our own flair to the curriculum, so we always
had to stick to the script.
It was during that time that I started to visit Scottie in
Tokyo, more often, to record music at his studio. Don’t ask me
if I was about to launch a music career in Japan. That was the
furthest thing from my mind. Nonetheless, I kept on recording
songs as a way to keep myself busy and possibly pay more
attention to my fairy tale ‘musical career’.
I also started investigating English teaching jobs closer to
my home in Mabashi, and heard that there was a GABA studio
opening in my first home city of Kashiwa. That then became the
centre of my attention, as I wanted to transfer from Chiba city
to Kashiwa city. That move would cut down my train commute
and work beautifully for me (Map 2).
Something catastrophic, however, lay just ahead, for myself
and the English Instructors at Gaba Inc. As we say in Jamaica,
‘Man a plan, but Gad a wipe out’.69 Up to that point, I had been
teaching English in Japan for approximately six months and
thought I finally was mastering those darn little chopsticks. The
Tokohu earthquake that took place on March 11, 2011, would
prove otherwise. Oh Lord!
69
Humans make plans but only God knows whether or not they will succeed.
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T. A. Hyman
The 2011 Tōhoku Earthquake - PART 1
You know, we sometimes take life for granted. It is not until

disaster strikes that we recognise how precious life is and that
we really have no control over certain things. On the morning
of March 11, 2011, I got up and was just feeling out of sorts.
Fortunately, one of my friends had cheered me up while we
spoke online. I then started to get ready to visit Scottie in
Tokyo, as we were scheduled to record more music. I also had
some additional business to do in Tokyo as well.
I had just reached inside Scottie’s house and put down my
bag, but didn’t even get a chance to take off my winter jacket,
when the building started to shake. I told Scottie that the place
was shaking a bit, but he was nonchalant about it. The
vibrations started to get stronger and stronger and
automatically all the disaster preparedness training that I had
received in Jamaica from high school and working in the hotel
industry kicked in.
I looked for a door jamb and saw that it was not adequate,
so I went under the kitchen table instead. All the things in
Scottie’s house, especially those on the shelves, started to fly
and fall on the ground. When it all ended, where I had just
stood was a pile of books and different household items.
Interestingly, prior to that day, I had read a book written by
Amanda Ripley, titled, The Unthinkable: Who Survives When
Disaster Strikes and Why.xlviiiThe book speaks about three
phases of the survival arc - modes that humans go into when
they face crisis. Firstly, there is denial, then deliberation and
thirdly the decisive moment. You can go through each mode
one after the other, or jump back and forth from one mode to
the next. On March 11, 2011, it was as if the book was playing
out in real life before me. Before going under the kitchen table,
I moved from the denial to deliberating mode, and then once I
went under the table, that was the decisive moment. While
196
under the table however, I was back in the denial mode, yet
taking actions in terms of what should be done next.
It is funny, because in the middle of crisis, sometimes you
get a lot of jokes. Scottie is a Rastafarian, so while the house
was shaking, he was in the other room bawling out, “JAH
RASTAFARIIII!!! Hol it Jah! Hol it! Nuh mek mi dead wid dem
people yah! Dem a run down money and jus deh pan dem cell phone
and nah serve yuh!”70 While I, on the other hand, was saying
softly, “Jesus, Jesus please let this stop now”, acting all stush
(while still in denial). When the earthquake intensified,
however, I started to bawl out: “JESUS!!!”, all reservations
gone.
When the shaking stopped, Scottie and I vacated the
apartment quickly, because the building was very old and could
collapse at any moment. We went in pursuit of Scottie’s son at
his school to ensure he was safe, and he was fine. We stayed at
the school, gathering together with the students, teachers and
parents at the designated spot for emergencies on the school
compound. Wow! those Japanese were very organised.
During that time my cell phone service was down, so I
couldn’t make any calls. I observed people crowded on the side-
walks, while we rushed to Scottie’s son’s school. There were
traffic jams and blaring loud speakers. One distinct message
that kept playing in a loud monotonic voice said, “THIS IS A
TSUNAMI WARNING. PERSONS NEAR THE COAST,
EVACUATE TO HIGHER GROUND!” That message was done
in both Japanese and English and was constantly repeated,
causing my head to ring.
The funny thing about that message was that I wasn’t even
sure if we were actually near the coast or not and, for some
reason, I just couldn’t identify higher ground. Scottie quickly
informed me that all around us where we were in Tokyo was
70
Crying out to his God and appealing for safety. Additionally, expressing that the
people around him were indifferent, not acknowledging the existence of his God.
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T. A. Hyman
flat because the mountains had been demolished to build the

city we were in. He then pointed to some short trees nearby
with black birds in them, as our only resort should we need to
find ‘higher ground’.
Later that evening, we went to the subway station to see if I
could get home. I lived about an hour away but all the railway
services were cancelled, making it impossible to travel. Some
Japanese were even sleeping on the ground in the station until
morning. So, in the end, I had to stay the night with Scottie and
his family in Tokyo.
The aftershocks continued into the following day and that
caused a lot of mental trauma for me. I didn’t get much sleep
that night and it took until the following morning before the
denial wore off. I then entered the deliberation mode, while
still making some decisions.
Major Media in Jamaica reach out
While I stayed at Scottie’s home in Tokyo, an interesting

development occurred. I received calls from specific media
houses wanting me to share my experience of the earthquake
with Jamaicans back home. Prior to receiving those calls, I had
approached them to do a segment on living in Japan from the
perspective of a Jamaican woman. I wanted to talk about food,
music, culture and life in Japan from the perspective of a
Jamaican student and had even submitted proposals to them,
but got no positive response. When the major earthquake
struck, however, they wanted my story. xlix
That was very surprising to me because I wanted to
highlight the positive and pleasant things about Japan. That
however didn’t seem to be appealing at the time. The moment
there was damage and devastation, though, all channels flew
open. I was shocked at how fast they got my Japanese number
and found the time to call me from Jamaica (16 hours behind)
to get my story. A real eye-opener, as well as disappointing at
the same time.
198
The 2011 Tōhoku Earthquake - PART 2
The 2011 Tōhoku earthquake took place off the north-eastern

coast of Japan and was a 9.0 magnitude earthquake. It is the
most powerful earthquake ever recorded in Japan. That
earthquake triggered tsunami waves which reached to heights
of almost 134 feet high in some prefectures. The tsunami waves
came on land and it is estimated that almost 20,000 persons
died.71
Buildings and infrastructure were damaged. In fact, many
evacuation shelters were washed away, railways were impacted,
a dam collapsed and there were also fires. l The total economic
cost of that event is estimated at US$235 billion,li making it the
costliest natural disaster in history. lii A lot of damage and
devastation took place in Miyagi Prefecture. I was located in
Tokyo but very much impacted (Map 3).
Japan is known globally for earthquakes, and that in itself
was a culture shock. Back home in Jamaica the slightest tremor
made you look around to run for safety. Despite experiencing
minor earthquake tremors since I had arrived in Japan in
2008, the one I experienced on March 11, 2011 was very
traumatic and made it hard to carry on like normal. I had seen
other Japanese carry on despite the trauma they had faced, but
that aspect of those darn chopsticks was hard for me to grasp. I
really didn’t understand the severity of the damage and the
number of people who had lost their lives during the
earthquake. I had just assumed that most people were okay.
The images I would later see on TV and the internet, however,
confirmed otherwise. Nothing could have prepared me for such
a catastrophic event!
71
Wikipedia
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T. A. Hyman
Getting Home
After spending the night at Scottie’s, I decided to go back to my

apartment the following morning. When I got to the train
station, it was still a challenge to get home. I refused to take NO
for an answer from the train staff and ended up doing it
Jamaican style: improvising.
Moving from train to train, I was pushed, squeezed and
almost broken in two by my fellow Japanese residents. During
that crisis, all the politeness and honour that they practised
went straight through the window. It was all about the survival
of the fittest! At that point I firmly believed that I had some
idea of what my African foreparents endured on slave ships
through the Middle Passage en route to the Caribbean (or so I
thought). In the end I made a lot of diversions and ended up
taking three trains to get home.
During that time as well, my Japanese language skills
diminished rapidly. All I could speak was English or Patwa. I
just couldn’t remember any Japanese words. My mind was
simply overwhelmed with all that was happening around me.
After making so much progress with those chopsticks, it was as
if they were wobbling in my hands, about to fall to the ground.
Those darn chopsticks?! Everything seemed to be going
haywire.
Faced with Reality
When I reached my apartment in Mabashi, everything was still

in place, not even the iron on the iron board had fallen to the
ground. I was simply bowled over and amazed. I checked my
utilities and found that there was still electricity, water, and
internet, but no gas. I really had to be thankful to God because
people in Miyagi Prefecture, specifically Sendai City, had lost
way more.
Thereafter, it was hard to keep count of the number of
aftershocks that continued throughout the nights and days
afterwards. It was hard to sleep, as I often wondered if my
200
neighbours and I, would have to run out of our apartments in

the middle of the night. During the days when outside, it felt
like we were walking on waves. Those aftershocks therefore
began to take a mental toll on me.
What was very puzzling to me, however, were the faces of
people in my community. They appeared to be very calm and
normal. So, if a stranger was just arriving in our community,
they would never have known the extent of such a disaster. I
remember calling one of my Japanese students who told me
not to worry. She said that the authorities had it under control
and that we really had to continue with life. That may have
been somewhat true, but I simply had not reached that place,
mentally.
I remember watching the birds on the roof tops of houses in
my community flying wildly from roof to roof in flocks -
making different types of formations in the air. I had heard that
animals were more sensitive to impending natural disasters
than humans, and that we should watch their actions for signs
of trouble. Watching those birds made me feel anxious and
scared every day.
Fortunately, I didn’t have to rush to the supermarket to buy
food, as I had some Jamaican mackerel, corn beef, sardines and
saltfish at home in my cupboard. From experiencing Hurricane
Gilbert in 1988 in Jamaica, I had always learnt that no matter
where I lived in the world to always have my Jamaican tin and
dried food products with me - just in case.
Nuclear Disaster
As a result of the 2011 Tōhoku Earthquake and resultant

tsunami waves, the Daiichi nuclear power plant in Fukushima
prefecture (Map 3) was badly damaged. The tsunami waves
disabled the power supply and disrupted the cooling and water
circulation processes of the nuclear reactors. liii This caused the
reactors to melt down and release radiation and radioactive
materials into the atmosphere and ocean. That exposure would
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T. A. Hyman
ultimately impact employees at the plant and residents within

the surrounding communities. As such, over 100,000 persons
were evacuated from the surrounding areas. Like the Chernobyl
nuclear disaster in 1986, the level of damage at the Fukushima
plant was ranked at the highest level on the International
Nuclear Event Scale - level 7.
Exposure to Radiation is known to cause an increase in
miscarriages, still births, mental disorders and cancers. This
could have impacted the persons who evacuated from the areas
surrounding the plant and even extend to the rest of the
population in Japan. Additionally, the release of radioactive
waste from the nuclear plant into the Pacific Ocean could
seriously impact marine life and have detrimental effects on the
health of persons who consume seafood.
Throughout that time, the international press was really
making the situation look very scary with their reporting of the
situation at the Fukushima Daiichi Power Plant, while the local
press appeared to pacify the situation. The constant differences
in information about the effects of radiation, coupled with the
prediction that there would be another earthquake before the
week was out, really made me break down mentally.
I started feeling pains in my belly and just started to itch
and scratch myself constantly. I also couldn’t eat. I believe that
the threat of exposure to radiation was what led to my breaking
point and made me want to leave Japan immediately.
I must pause to thank my Godmother ‘Aunty Maureen’,
who helped me get through that time. She provided counsel
and kept me focused via phone, whenever I broke down
mentally. She helped move me from a low place to a restored
place of sanity throughout that time in Japan. I also contacted
other Jamaicans in Japan, faced with similar challenges as I,
and this provided another outlet for me as well. That kind of
contact kept me focused and active.
I received a lot of prayers from family and concerned
friends
and was very grateful for their help. Prayers brought clarity to
202
my thoughts in the midst of all the confusion. In times of a

crisis, you really need to have faith in God and trust him to
guide you through the entire process. Unfortunately, there
were no short-cuts or u-turns, I had to lean on those
everlasting arms to guide me through that nuclear disaster, or
give up. The latter, however, was not an option.
Leaving Japan
The potential threat of exposure to radiation rested on my

mind continually and made me want to leave Japan. What if
the radiation affected my reproductive organs in years to
come? What would I do? If I got sick in Japan, who would
care for me? Those questions haunted me daily.
I had sleepless nights and was always anxious and fearful. It
felt like I was losing my mind except of course when talking
with Aunty Maureen. I talked often with family and friends via
phone and Skype, and, in the end, decided that it was time to
leave Japan. So, five days after the earthquake struck, I left
Japan.
I remember that morning so vividly; leaving my bed,
washing machine and study table behind in my apartment. I
placed my apartment keys in my post box and left my beloved
Jitensha downstairs on the stand, before taking a bus to the
Narita International Airport.
While waiting at the bus stop, I called my job and informed
them that I was leaving the country and would hopefully return
at some point later. Since the earthquake had struck, I had
been to work only once, but the atmosphere there was so tense
and uncertain, which convinced me that it was time to leave.
So, on March 16, 2011 I took a 12-hour flight on Delta airlines
from Japan to my aunt in New York, USA.
One mistake that I made on departure though, was to give
up my alien registration card at the Japanese immigration
counter while at the airport. That mistake was due to ignorance
203
T. A. Hyman
on my part, as well as the language barrier, when

communicating with
the Japanese officer. I could have kept the card and eventually
return to Japan. Giving up the card meant that in order to
return to Japan, I would have to go through the entire process
of applying for a work permit or visitor’s visa again.
Due to my desperation to leave, I made a foolish mistake. I
should have kept my card and stated that I would be out of
Japan temporarily, making it easier to return. That foolish
mistake would be highlighted in the coming months when I
tried to return to Japan to resume work, but was not successful.
Oh Lord! I was through with those chopsticks! Well, at least
that’s what I told myself…
Waiting in New York
I stayed with my aunt in New York, at first waiting out the

effects of the earthquake with the intention to return to Japan
to resume my English teaching job. Upon realizing the
implication of giving up my alien registration card too quickly,
I decided to stay in the USA for a while to clear my mind and
make some critical life decisions.
I stayed in the USA for five months and then decided to
return to Jamaica. In September 2011, I returned to Jamaica
broken, confused, down trodden and without the cash
resources that persons from Jamaica thought I had, or should
have, since I was coming from overseas.
This was a very challenging time for me, as I slowly had to
pick up the broken pieces of my life and put it back together
again. It was tough, mentally, emotionally, physically and
especially financially. People sometimes believe that once you
are living with relatives, that all your expenses are covered.
That was not the case, yet, they provided me with food to eat
and a place to stay, for which I am very grateful.
204
Takeaways
 There is a growing market to teach English in Japan, as

many Japanese desire to speak English. This is a good
stream of revenue for English speaking foreign
nationals who reside in Japan.
 Sometimes we take life for granted and so when we face
a crisis, we usually realise that we do not have control
over everything.
 According to Amanda Ripley in the book titled, The
Unthinkable: Who Survives When Disaster Strikes and
Why, there are three phases of the survival arc - modes
that humans go into when they face a crisis. Firstly:
Denial, then Deliberation and thirdly the Decisive
moment. You can go through each mode one after the
other or jump from one point to the other and back,
with no clear trend in mind.
 Be familiar with evacuation procedures and assembly
points at work, school or home, especially when you are
living in a foreign country.
 During an earthquake, you should not run, but instead,
shield yourself under an object like a table or bed if you
are on the inside of a building. You can also stand in the
door frame and hold on tightly till the shaking subsides.
After the shaking stops, exit the building and head to
the designated assembly point.
 If you are outside when an earthquake strikes, stay on
the outside in an open space and take cover until the
shaking subsides. Do not attempt to go inside a building
while shaking is in progress.
 Always have an emergency bag packed with clothes and
important documents, no matter where you live.
 Try to be in the company of other persons regularly,
especially if you live alone. It is good to be in the
205
T. A. Hyman
company of other persons and not be by yourself should

an earthquake strike.
 Be aware of the geography of the place that you live e.g.
Is it near the coast, midlands or on a mountain? Persons
living near the coast have an increased risk of facing a
storm surge or tsunami during an earthquake.
 You cannot become too attached to your cell phone as it
may fail during a natural disaster. You may have to rely
on friends or those around you for support.
 Always have extra food stored in your cupboard,
especially tinned and dried food for times of emergency.
 Nuclear Energy is a good energy source, but the effects
of radiation and radioactive materials on human and
marine life can be very detrimental.
 Know and acknowledge when you have reached your
breaking point.
 Tough decisions may have to be made to preserve your
sanity during a crisis.
 It is good to have someone counsel you or encourage
you through a crisis, conflict or turmoil.
 In times of a crisis, you need to have faith in God and
trust him to guide you through the entire process.
 Life is not scripted and does not always go according to
your plans. There are unforeseen circumstances and you
have to learn to adapt.
 Thoroughly investigate the immigration policies and
procedures of the foreign country that you intend to live
in, especially as it relates to travelling to and from that
country.
 Once you return to your home country from a foreign
country, some of your fellow citizens may believe you
have returned with a lot of financial resources. That
may not necessarily be the case.
206
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207
[Grab your reader’s attention with
a great quote from the document or
CHAPTER 14:
Coming Back Home
209
T. A. Hyman
At Home
I was glad to be back in Jamaica to see my family and friends,

but at times there were mixed feelings. It felt like I came back
empty-handed and did not have much to show for the time
spent in Japan. Yes, I was not in Japan for many years, but still
what did I have to show? And yes, I had a master’s degree, but
being back in Jamaica, I couldn’t even secure a job. What was
happening?
In the end I decided to volunteer with Wycliffe Caribbean, a
Christian missions organisation that, at the time, was
promoting the use of the Jamaican Patwa Bible across the
fourteen parishes of Jamaica. I joined as an Assistant Project
Coordinator, which proved to be a very enlightening and
rewarding experience overall.
During that time, I also got the opportunity to do part-time
research work at the University of the West Indies (UWI),
Mona campus. That gave me the opportunity to further refine
my academic research skills as well as improve my planning
skills. At times, I was asked to organise workshops, lead
projects or go on field work assignments to rural areas. Those
opportunities really kept me busy and active. Importantly, the
skills acquired doing part-time research work at UWI helped
me to develop a very robust PhD proposal. Once submitted, it
paved the way for me to pursue PhD studies at the UWI in
Jamaica, as opposed to Japan (where I really wanted to be).
Resettling Woes
One thing that irritated me, having returned and settled back
home in Jamaica, was the scant regard for time by my fellow
Jamaicans. Having lived in Japan where most things were on
time, I expected that when persons agreed to meet at say 4
p.m., they would reach by 3:45 p.m. or the latest 3:55 p.m. I
never expected for them to arrive at 4:10 p.m. or worse at 4:30
p.m.! Are you kidding me?
210
That took some time for me to readjust to, and in many

ways, I have resisted adjusting to this day. I strongly believe
that ‘time is money’ and that persons should be on time for
their appointments. You can give some allowance, but not too
much.
Another issue I had was waiting at the Jamaican bus stops,
not knowing when the bus would come. Remember, I had sold
my car before going to Japan, so having returned, I didn’t have
one, and had to rely on public transportation. The Jamaican
bus system, however, ran by no particular time schedule,
whereas in Japan it was the opposite. In Japan, the buses ran
by a schedule and were on time. That issue became a major pet
peeve of mine, because you couldn’t plan your activities for the
day, if you took the Jamaican bus.
During those times, I remember walking the distance when
I couldn’t wait on the bus any longer. Excuse me folks, time
was going! Eventually, though, I had to stop walking due to the
hot sun, which caused me to turn up at appointments, hot and
sweaty.
Interestingly, during those times of walking, persons would
look on me strangely, as if to say, “Where is your car?” I don’t
need a car to get going folks. I had got used to the Japanese
system of commute for the past two and a half years. In the
end, however, the long distances, being sweaty and the lack of
proper side-walks took a physical toll on me, cutting down my
walking times.
What was strange to me after returning, was the pace at
which Jamaicans would walk and go about their daily business.
They walk slowly or saunter to and fro. In Japan, persons
moved quickly, even if it was from one room to the other. You
never sauntered. That was a no-no for persons in Japan and
unconsciously I had adopted that same practice. So, having
returned, sauntering became an eye-sore for me, until
eventually I had to concede.
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T. A. Hyman
Another thing that I observed about myself during that time

was an increase in my level of outspokenness. My fear of
persons in high or low positions had diminished (Chapter 8). I
thus could express myself respectfully to others, make
suggestions or recommendations and give feedback, without
fear of any backlash.
I believe that that new level of confidence grew out of my
times of personal reflection and meditation while living alone
in Japan. It also came out of presenting my research in public
forums and dealing with criticisms while defending my thesis. I
began to understand who I was, what I stood for and that I had
a voice to be heard.
There are times in the Jamaican culture when we are told to
keep our mouth shut, even if we see wrongs being done. Having
returned to Jamaica, doing that became very, very difficult and
still remains the case today.
There are times when I make comparisons between Japan
and Jamaica consciously and subconsciously. That is the result
of living in both countries and so I can’t help but make
comparisons, especially when faced with certain situations.
Both nations are great and have their strengths and
weaknesses, but whenever I reflect, these are the main
topics/themes that stand out:
 Honour and respect of fellow citizens

 Integrity and honesty
 The individual vs. the group (fork vs. chopsticks
philosophies)
 The execution of plans
 Hospitality towards foreigners
 Cultural diversity
 Openness and flexibility
 Punctuality and respect for time
 Discipline and order in the society
212
Japan has its fair share of challenges, but there are some
key things like honour and respect of fellow citizens and the
importance of working together as a team that Jamaicans can
learn from the Japanese. When I desired to transport my
second-hand furniture from the recycle shop to my apartment,
it required that the driver of the vehicle submit their finger
print to the owners of the store to use the company vehicle.
That shows that trust, accountability and honouring one’s word
are of utmost importance in Japanese society. This is still a
sore point for Jamaica. Please note that I am not asking
persons to necessarily incorporate finger-printing into their
operations. What I’d like you, the reader, to understand is the
principle behind the requirement.
In my opinion, Japan still has to work on the area of
cultural diversity and not only be polite to foreign nationals,
but be able to build stronger and lasting relationships with
Non-Japanese persons; instead of sometimes leaning towards
fear and mistrust. Additionally, some of their systems can be
very rigid, not accounting for mishaps or unforeseen
circumstances, and so a little more flexibility could help. The
bottom-line, though, is that all nations have work to do. The
question is, are they willing to do the work?
I could never have imagined, though, that resettling into
Jamaican society would have proved so difficult. I had to take
deep breaths and calm down because the simplest deviation
from agreements irritated me. Why couldn’t persons just keep
their word? Why were there so many excuses? Why were
persons so disrespectful and rude to each other? Why were
people always late?
The chopsticks culture had become so much part of me that
I wondered if I could ever return to what was considered
normal, before leaving Jamaican in 2008 i.e. the fork culture.
Only time would tell…
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T. A. Hyman
Fulbright Nexus Fellowship
I continued to volunteer at Wycliffe Caribbean and worked

part-time at the University of the West Indies. I was also living
with my parents, as I couldn’t afford to live on my own as yet. I
had sent out numerous job applications but was not successful
and that made me very frustrated. Nonetheless, I made every
effort to keep myself occupied and tried to be less concerned
about the things that I did not have.
In 2012, a first time call was made to Jamaican nationals
for the Fulbright Nexus Fellowship through the United States
Embassy in Jamaica. I decided to apply for that opportunity
and managed to submit an application on the last day of the
application call. Guess what? I was successful and the
fellowship lasted for a year. Hooray!!!
A fellowship is slightly different from a scholarship. A
scholarship is usually given to a successful applicant allowing
them to complete their studies at a higher education
institution72 for a period ranging anywhere from 1 to 4 years.
A fellowship, on the other hand, is usually given for a
period of up to a year and requires successful applicants to
work on a research project or assignment that supports the
work they currently pursue in a higher education institution.
This means that one can benefit from a scholarship and a
fellowship at the same time.
The fellowship offered through the United States Embassy
involved me working on a community project in Jamaica liv that
focused on climate change vulnerability and adaptation for
coastal communities. The fellowship also required me to visit
the USA for a period of six weeks, working with researchers at a
university engaged in similar research as mine. 73
72
University / College
73
The University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
214
I had mentioned at the start of this book about the labels

and feelings of inadequacy I experienced while going through
the education system in Jamaica. Receiving a MEXT
Scholarship to pursue a master’s degree in Japan changed that
perspective and made me realise that I was not just an average
student. I had something important to offer my country and the
world at large. That increased my confidence a whole lot.
When I secured the Fulbright Nexus Fellowship in 2012,
that really sealed the deal for me. Yes, Japan set the foundation
for that major confidence booster. The Nexus fellowship,
however, made me realise that nothing was impossible for me
to achieve, ever again. No more limitations. Any trace of self-
doubt lurking around in my mind was caught, charged and
arrested.
I was no longer fearful of applying for opportunities and not
even daunted when told, “no”. It literally felt like I had grown
wings on my body. So the fellowship for me was like the icing
on the cake. It took place at a pivotal time in my life and
allowed me to breathe again. Remember, resettling in Jamaica
was not an easy task at all. At times it felt like learning to use
those darn chopsticks all over again!
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T. A. Hyman
Takeaways
 Before you return to your home country from living

abroad, start seeking out jobs, academic and
entrepreneurial opportunities. Don’t wait until you
reach home to start the process.
 If you are unable to secure a job or set up business when
you return home, consider volunteering, or even part-
time work. It is a good way to a) establish networks b)
help you gain work experience, as well as c) hone /
sharpen your existing skill sets for future work.
 Be on time for your appointments. Don’t be late. Time is
money!
 Be prepared for the challenges that come with resettling
or reintegrating, once you decide to return to your home
country.
 At times, you may make comparisons (consciously and
unconsciously) between your home country and the
foreign country you lived, studied or worked in. Those
comparisons may be both positive and negative.
 Adjusting back to life in your home country can be very
stressful, so don’t be surprised. Take deep breaths,
remain calm and take it one day at a time.
216
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218
CHAPTER 15:
A Company is Formed
219
T. A. Hyman
The rise of SKOLASTIK OASIS CARIBBEAN

(SOC)
The year 2014 rolled around and it was a time of

contemplation. I began to assess my life and ask some tough
questions. Why was I born? What was my purpose here on
earth? Is there really a God? Will we really have to give an
account to God for our lives one day? Why was I born in
Jamaica? Why this particular family? Those questions gnawed
at me again, as they did while in Japan.
Can someone go through the Self-Discovery phase twice?
Or, was I now moving into the Self-Awareness phase of life,
according to Alex Ihama in the book titled, Welcome to
Greatness? The Self-Discovery phase is about finding out who
we are, and the Self-Awareness phase is about knowing where
we are in life. Upon reflection, it seemed as if I was in the
middle of transitioning between those two phases.
During that time as well, some of my friends and colleagues
were getting married, changing jobs, relocating overseas, and I,
on the other hand, had returned from Japan to Jamaica. There
I was, trying to make sense of life. I was unmarried. I had no
kids. I had no house or car of my own. I didn’t have a Top job,
nor did I have 6 figures in my bank account. What was
happening?
I began to seek God through prayer to find out the answers
to those soul-searching questions again. What was I supposed
to be doing, especially from a professional perspective? I was
good at general stuff, but couldn’t readily identify my
specialised area. What was my niche?
I remember talking to God one day and finding my answer
in the Bible scripture, Exodus 4. That particular scripture
describes the moment when God asked Moses what he had in
his hand. Moses had a rod. I began to question. What was my
rod? A master’s degree from Japan and some international
220
travel? Was that really a rod? I just couldn’t wrap my head

around it.
Well folks, in the end, that turned out to really be my rod.

With that rod, I was able to part the entrepreneurial red sea
and form the company, SKOLASTIK OASIS CARIBBEAN
(SOC).lv In the 21st century, this type of company is referred to
as a social enterprise. Social enterprises are engaged in profit
with a purpose i.e. achieving social goals and enhancing
persons lives while making a profit.
This business model is somewhat different from the
traditional business model, whose focus is mainly on making a
profit at the expense of the environment or to the detriment of
human life. This was discussed in chapter 7 under the topic of
sustainability science, where there is an immense need by
societies, businesses and governments to find an equitable
balance between the environment, society and the economy.
Having studied this area for my master’s degree, it was only
natural that I would go on to establish a sustainable enterprise
given my exposure to those very same principles while in
Japan.
SOC’s Vision and Mission
SOC coaches students and working professionals ages 17 to 45

years towards financing their higher education through
scholarships, locally and overseas. SOC, therefore, provides
scholarship search, matching and application support to its
clients.
SOC’s vision is to become a regional leader in educational
services by 2022. It aims to do this through the identification,
generation and dissemination of resources for the development
and empowerment of Caribbean nationals, the Diaspora,
Africans and peoples across the world. Our mission is to equip
more persons with higher education information and
221
T. A. Hyman
application support, so that more persons can access and

secure scholarships, fellowships and grants.
From our research, we found out that millions in funds go
unclaimed each year, due to a lack of awareness on the part of
applicants and educational institutions alike. In the United
States of America for example, US$100 Million in scholarships
go unclaimed each year. 74 In the European Union, its pool of
scholarship funds valued at GBP£23.6 Million is under
subscribed.
Additionally, 3100 scholarships valued in excess of JA$ 4.8
Billion dollars75 are available to Caribbean nationals. In
response to those findings, we wanted to find out what field of
study those unclaimed funds applied to, then make that
information available to our clients.
My rod, therefore, has helped deliver numerous scholarship
seminars, workshops and boot camps to clients where they
learn about scholarship opportunities and are coached towards
securing them. We have created training modules, resource
materials and a scholarship game to strengthen the content in
our seminars. In 2021, we added an online store which allows
persons to purchase and access our training videos. 76 All of this
supports SOC’s mission to provide greater access to higher
education through scholarships, ultimately grooming the next
generation of global leaders and scholars.
I could not have done this all by myself, without the support
of a team. SOC has assembled a team of over 20 persons who
comprise educational professionals, industry experts, human
resource professionals, life coaches, tutors and brand
representatives. Together we have successfully coached many
clients in personal development, grooming, visioning and
securing global funding opportunities. So my rod has now
become our rod.
74
pre-covid figures
75
pre-covid figures
76
https://soc-store.company.site/
222
To date SOC has trained over 600 persons in scholarship

preparation techniques through hosting seminars, lectures and
one-on-one consultations. Importantly, SOC has connected our
clients to over JA$34 Million 77 in scholarships, fellowships and
grants. We desire to double that figure by January 2022. Some
scholarships that our clients have accessed include the:
 Erasmus Mundus Scholarship

 Edward Seaga Scholarship
 CCRIF Scholarship
 OAS Scholarship
 Scotiabank Scholarship
 NCB Foundation Scholarship
 PALAS Scholarship
 West Kingston Power Partners Scholarship
 New Fortress Scholarship
 JWN Foundation Scholarship
 Joan Duncan Foundation Scholarship
 Next Move Jamaica Scholarship
As a result of perseverance, dedication and team work, SOC has

also won several entrepreneurial competitions and awards that
include:
 The University of the West Indies (UWI) Vincent

Hosang Entrepreneurship Competition - 1st Runner up,
Jamaica (2018)
 The UWI Vincent Hosang Entrepreneurship
Competition - Most Commercially Ready Business
(sectional prize - Jamaica Stock Exchange) Jamaica
(2018)
77
Includes funds personally secured by T.A. Hyman as well
223
T. A. Hyman
 Quarter Finalist at the International Business Model

Competition, USA (2018)
 Vincent Hosang Family Foundation Community Award,
USA (2018)
 3rd Place Winner - Entrepreneurial World Cup, Junior
Achievement, Jamaica (2019)
In July 2019, SOC published its first booklet, titled

‘International Government Scholarships, 2019-2020’ which
forms part of the collection of works at the National Library of
Jamaica, another significant milestone. Two years later, after a
global outbreak, this book How Do You Use Those Darn
Chopsticks is our latest project and achievement. We are
humbled by the progress we have made so far and give God
thanks.
Other Product Offerings
From 2018-2021, SOC conducted sessions on social

entrepreneurship financing and hosted seminars for non-profit
and for-profit businesses. Those seminars were geared towards
tapping into global, non-academic fellowships and grants and,
already, several businesses have secured those funds. The
funds
include the Young Leaders of Americas Initiative (YLAI),
Young Entrepreneur Association of Jamaica (YEA) Pitch
Competition, the Walmart Foundation and the Kingston
Creative/JAMPRO Pitch your Best Dream Competition, among
others.
In 2019, SOC added screening and selection services to our
suite of product offerings. We provide this service to
companies, foundations and organisations (scholarship
funders) who want to find the most suitable candidates for
their scholarships. Already SOC has successfully screened
talent for organisations in Canada and Jamaica.
224
Since 2020, things have slowly started to come together for

our enterprise. Those chopsticks have led me to believe that
once you put your mind to something, and are determined, you
can achieve many things that otherwise may have seemed
impossible. We have some way to go and are still faced with
many challenges. However, we believe that we are currently
headed towards the self-actualization phase along the journey
of life, as described in the book Welcome to Greatness by Alex
Ihama.
225
T. A. Hyman
Takeaways
 You may not have realised the skills acquired from

living, working, studying or doing business in a foreign
country. You may have questions about what exactly
your rod is. Well, the fact that you have lived overseas is
an achievement in itself because some persons may
never get such an opportunity or may not even know
how to manage it well. From living in a foreign country,
by default, you would have acquired certain skill sets,
such as, how to survive, how to plan and organise as
well as time management skills. That may be because
you are not in the comfort of your home country. Those
skills are however transferable and are needed in
businesses across the globe.
 Use the skills you acquired from living, working,
studying or doing business in a foreign country to earn
an income or livelihood. In my case, I started a social
enterprise.
 Once you put your mind to something, and are
determined, you can achieve many things that otherwise
may have seemed impossible.
226
NOTES
____________________________
____________________________
____________________________
____________________________
____________________________
____________________________
____________________________
____________________________
____________________________
____________________________
____________________________
227
EPILOGUE:
Key Lessons Learnt
228
The Darn Chopsticks Philosophy - Part 2
Sometimes when I reflect, I wonder if I should have left Japan

when I did? Did I leave prematurely? What person would I
have been now if I had stayed in Japan? Well, those questions
remain unanswered, but I can truly say that Japan has left an
indelible mark on me, especially in terms of work ethic,
perseverance and a determination to succeed, despite the odds.
I have finally learnt to use those darn chopsticks and the
lessons from that experience continue to reverberate in my
mind.
The experience of using chopsticks aptly sums up my time
living and studying in Japan. At first there was major culture
shock, accompanied by fear and the feeling of being
overwhelmed. After some time, I began to learn more about the
culture and slowly adapted. Eventually, mastery of those sticks
came, creeping up on me and taking me by surprise. Those
chopsticks made me realise that once you put your mind to
something and are determined, you can achieve things that
may otherwise have seemed impossible.
A very popular saying is: ‘When in Rome, do as the Romans
do’. I have not only heard this, but have lived it. Living in
Japan, and even travelling to Rome and the UK, has taught me
the importance of adjusting and adapting to new cultures. We
must learn to adapt, in order to live. Now it may take you some
time to adapt, but once you stay the course, it will eventually
happen.
Living in Japan led to further acceptance of myself,
especially in terms of my hair, body size, skin colour and race.
This is how the creator made me as a black woman (or woman
of colour) and there was no mistake involved. I am not inferior
to anyone or a particular race. I can think, create and achieve
just like any other person. This sounds utopic, I know, but the
real challenge is not my ability as an individual, but that some
229
systems in the world are inequitable which result in the
imbalances that we see across the globe. Nonetheless, I have
accepted myself and the God-given abilities placed inside of
me.
During my ‘alone times’ in Japan I sought the creator a lot
through prayer and meditation, and was consumed with
knowing my purpose and reason for being on this earth.
Indeed, it is important to seek the creator through prayer to
determine your purpose on this earth.
That creator is God who, through his son, Jesus Christ, has
provided a road map for all of our lives. Have you met him yet?
If not, let me introduce you to him. He is the all-knowing, all-
wise God, who orders your steps from before you were formed
in your mother’s womb. He loves you with an everlasting love
and has sacrificed his son, Jesus Christ, so that you may have
eternal life. He is a God that gives good gifts.
In this life, however, there are no ‘quick fixes’ towards
success. We all have to go through a weeding and pruning
process, just like plants, in order to bring forth fruit. That is
just how it is. In Patwa we say, ‘A suh di ting set’. As Joseph J.
Lamb says, ‘the road to success leads through the valley of
humility, and the path is up the ladder of patience and across
the wide barren plains of perseverance. As yet, no short cut has
ever been discovered.’
I noticed that once I accepted my race and identity and
made a deep connection with the creator, that intersection led
to an increase in my confidence level. That is what happened to
me while I lived and studied in Japan. I no longer felt weak or
incapacitated. T.A. Hyman had something to offer and
contribute to the world.
I also learnt how to face and deal with crisis in a foreign
country. Being faced with the 2011 Tōhoku Earthquake was a
disaster in itself for me. I could barely cope, and was losing it
mentally. That however, was preparation for future crises I
would face. In 2020 for example, the world was faced with the
230
corona virus outbreak. I truly believe that one of the reasons
why I am still sane and functioning in 2021, is because of my
experience with the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake.
One of the most valuable lessons learnt in Japan is one of
honour and respect of fellow citizens. That was very evident in
the Japanese society, and is something we NEED more of in
Jamaica. We should place a high value on ourselves, our
neighbours and the communities we live in, and operate in
peace and love, even if we speak a different language. That was
the case with my father and the Japanese Truck Driver
(Chapter 12).
I have come to appreciate the chopsticks philosophy
because there is a place for working together in teams and
seeking group consensus on critical issues. I believe that that is
Japan’s ‘secret sauce’ or their ‘kryptonite’, as I call it. It is one
of the main reasons for their successes as a nation, I think.
There is an African proverb that states: ‘If you want to go
fast, go alone, but if you want to go far, go together’. I really
believe that Jamaica and by extension many parts of the West,
have placed a lot of emphasis on the I, and while there is a
place for that, we need to know how to ‘strike a better balance’
between the ‘I and We’ ethos. It is important to work together
in our families, communities and nations and extend it,
building solid connections globally.
The Fork Philosophy still stands strong and has its place in
society. It involves taking necessary risks, as I did, to travel all
the way to Japan by myself to study and acquire a master’s
degree. It also involved improvising when Bert and I set up the
makeshift booth and sold from the ground at the One Love
Jamaica Festival in Tokyo. In my mind the fork philosophy
supports creativity, flexibility and adaptability to changing
circumstances. It is not as rigid as the chopsticks philosophy.
Importantly, once the fork is used in tandem with a knife, then
the conversation can change from the ‘I versus We’ ethos to the
‘We versus We’ one.
231
All these key lessons mentioned above have now formed
part of what I coin ‘The Darn Chopsticks Philosophy.’ 12 key
principles derived from the five different aspects of the
chopsticks outlined in Chapter 11. It has arisen from the west
interacting with the east, and vice versa, specifically my time
living and studying in Japan. In my mind, it is a fusion of the
Jamaican and Japanese cultures towards upward social
mobility for people, through the vehicle of education, towards
entrepreneurship. This philosophy is also influenced by the
teachings of Marcus Mosiah Garvey 78, which have also groomed
me to become the CEO of SKOLASTIK OASIS CARIBBEAN
(SOC).lvi
As mentioned in Chapter 11, those 12 key principles are
discussed in great detail in the How Do You Use Those Darn
Chopsticks Workbook. This Workbook is set to be released
after this book, so remember to get your copy early. Here is a
sneak preview of the 12 principles:
1. Relationship with God

2. Coming to a place of self-acceptance
3. Honour and respect of fellow citizens
4. Committing to the group effort
5. Efficiency and environmental sustainability
6. Synchronising in harmony and unity
7. The strength to take risks
8. Being creative and adaptable
9. Persevering despite failure
10. The ability to navigate through crisis
11. Financial prudence and accountability
12. Engaging in entrepreneurship
I can identify with students on their journey towards

upward social mobility through higher education, because I
78
Jamaica’s first national hero
232
have travelled on that path and still continue to do so. This has
enabled me to start my own company and promote
entrepreneurship as an alternative to the traditional model of a
9am – 5pm job once you graduate. It is interesting, though,
how my path has evolved, because I never saw myself as an
academic growing up, much less now an academic
entrepreneur? With all those labels placed on me during
school, could this really happen? Well it did and look at me
now! To God be the Glory!
Reflecting on my time in Japan has made me realise my
role as a FORERUNNER - always slightly ahead of where the
current system is; always wanting to experience new things and
tackle new challenges - raising the bar. You could say that, I’m
good at breaking new ground and traversing unknown
territories. Thus, the lessons from those darn chopsticks and
subsequent philosophy have become a daily mantra by which
my company, team and I operate by. This is a testament and
fulfilment of the words of Marcus Mosiah Garvey, ‘Up, you
mighty race, accomplish what you will!’
Godspeed.
233
Things to Consider when deciding to live,
work, do business or study overseas:
 The overall culture of the people

 The language
 Their social values
 Citizen Safety and Security
 The Disaster Risk Profile
 Treatment of Foreign Nationals
 The Transportation System
 The Health Care system
 Garbage Disposal systems
 Their Immigration policies
 The ability to do business or gain employment
 The existence of diplomatic relations between your
home country and the foreign country
 The distance from your home country to the foreign
country
 The Support system i.e. friends, fellow citizens and
religious institutions present in your destination of
choice.
234
Pre-Departure Checklist for Caribbean Nationals (tick)
No. Item YES NO

#1 Medication and Vitamins
#2 Suitable Shoes
#3 Warm Clothes (temperate climates)
#4 Seasoning / Spices
#5 Tin Food e.g. sardines, corn beef, mackerel
#6 Hair Products
#7 Personal Hygiene Products e.g. toothpaste, deodorant, cologne, perfume,
lotions, soaps, face wash.
#8 Laptop
#9 Mobile Phone
#10 Up to date passport
#11 Flight Ticket
#12 Travel Insurance / Life Insurance
#13 International Credit Card / Debit Card
#14 International Driver’s License
Try to clear all your bills before leaving your home country and appoint someone to handle your affairs while you are out of the country.
235
Japanese words and expressions used in this
book (Roma-ji)
Japanese English Meaning

Word/Expression
Amari None at all
Arigatou Gozaimasu Thank you (polite form), present
tense
Arigatou Thank you (polite form), past tense
Gozaimashita
Atamagaii Very smart or bright
Butaniku Pork
Byoin Hospital
Danshi Male
Doko Where
Domo Thanks (casual)
Eigo English
Eki-in Train Station Attendant
En Yen
Fugu Blow fish
Fukuro Grocery bag / Plastic Bag
Futon Thin mattress
Gaikoku-Jin / Gai-Jin Foreigner
Getabako Shoe cupboard
Hashi Chopsticks
Hiragana One of three Japanese Writing
Systems
Hyaku One Hundred
Iie No
Irashaimasen Welcome, Come in
Jitensha Bicycle
Jin Person
Kanji One of three Japanese Writing
Systems
236
Japanese English Meaning
Word/Expression
Katakana One of three Japanese Writing
Systems
Keitai Denwa Cell phone
Konbini Convenience Store
Miso Japanese soup
Monbukagakusho Ministry of Education, Culture,
Sports, Science and Technology
Nihon Japan
Nihon-go Japanese Language
Nori Seaweed
Ocha Green tea
Ofuro Bath tub
Okonomiyaki Pan-fried dish with cabbage in it
Onna Woman
Onsen Hot Spring
Ramen Noodle soup
Sakana Fish
San Used to address persons in
authority or senior to you
Sashimi Raw fish
Sayonara Goodbye
Sensei ‘Former-born’, suggesting someone
with experience; teacher; used to
address persons in authority
Shinkansen Bullet Train
Sumimasen Excuse me
Sushi Traditional Japanese dish using rice
Taco Octopus
Tasukette Help Me!
Unagi Eel
Wakarimasen I don’t understand
Yasai Vegetables
Yowai Weak
237
Jamaican Creole (Patwa) words used in this
book
Jamaican Creole English Meaning

words
Abraad Abroad / Overseas
An’ And
Autoclapse Drama, clash of opinions
Bag an’ pan Luggage / bags
Bly Extended courtesies / grace
period
Buck Full
Caan Can’t
Caana Corner
Cane Row Corn Rows / braids / plaits in hair
Cream hair Permed hair
Cyan Can
Dat That
Dem Them, They
Deh Is, are
Den Then
Di The
Dutty Wine A Jamaican style of dance that
uses a lot of head movements,
even while in a split position
Du Do
Ef If
Fiya Fire
Fren Friend
Gad God
Ginalship Deceitfulness, trickery,
dishonesty
Haffi Have to
Han’ Hand
238
words
Har Her
Hol Hold
Jamdown Jamaica
Mawga Skinny
Mek Make
Mi Me
Mout’ Mouth
Nah Not
Nuh Don’t
Pon On
Pat Pot
Si See
Selectas DJ’s (Disc Jockeys)
Shi She
Suh So
Tink Think
Tings Things
Uman Woman
Wah What
Weh Where
Wi We
Wid With
Yaad Jamaica or one’s house
Yardie Jamaican
Yuh You / Your
239
Jamaican Creole (Patwa) expressions used in
this book

Expression
A suh di ting set That is how it is
Arite Den OK
Bayji Kite Buss Weh All reservations gone. A person’s
confidence level has greatly
increased.
Come si mi an’ live wid Your first impression of someone
mi a two diffrent tings may be very pleasant, however it is
not until you live with them, that
you truly know who they are.
Evri Crevice an’ Caana’ Every single space
Irie Everything is ok or great
Juk Start When a standard shift motor
vehicle is unable to start, you can
use the clutch as an alternative to
start it.
Kaka Faat An exclamation of being
overwhelmed when faced with an
unforeseen event/situation.
Kooyah Look at that!
Lef mi Leave me alone
Man a plan but Gad a Human beings make plans but
wipe out only God knows whether or not
they will succeed.
Mi Done wid im I am through talking and
interacting with a person. I will
not ask them to do anything for
me again.
Mi Mout’ a Fraat Foaming at the mouth signifies
getting upset.

240
Expressions
Nuh Ramp wid mi Don’t play around with me / Don’t
mess with me
Tap a di line Top of the line / the latest model/
sophisticated
Tun yuh han’ an’ mek Being creative with limited items /
fashion resources
Tun Caanmeal A dish made with cornmeal, water,
salt and select spices. Other
ingredients like salted fish and
coconut milk may be added. In
some Jamaican households, it is
used to make dog food because it is
very economical; while in other
households, Jamaicans ‘tun dem
han an mek fashion,’ by creating
very tasty meals for their families
to eat.
Wah yuh doan du a What you wouldn’t normally do in
yaad, yuh du abraad your home country is done when
you visit or live in a foreign
country
Whoi An exclamation used when feeling
overwhelmed or faced with a
trauma
Wi Cyan put wi pat pan Whatever is said or agreed on, will
fiya definitely happen or be the case. It
is very certain
241
Other English Words, Slangs and Expressions
used in this book
Word / Slang / Meaning

Expression
Aha Moments Sudden insight, revelation and
understanding
Bacon Salary, income, food
Bawled the living eye Intense crying
water
Blew me away Caught by surprise, unexpected
Bourgeois Of middle or upper-class origins,
privileged
Came Alive Had a lot of energy and was
actively engaged
Caught off guard Taken by surprise
Dirty Laundry Private matters related to a person
/ family, which once brought to
the public’s attention brings
embarrassment.
Everlasting dollar An over emphasis on making
money and being profit-driven at
the expense of human life and the
environment. It usually has a
negative connotation attached to it
Fall back plan Plan B
Falling short Not good enough
God help you Only God can help you to do some
thing that is difficult or extremely
dangerous
Had grown on me Accustomed to, used to, loved
Ins and Outs Protocols, nuances, procedures,
operations
242
Expression
Like a swan Graceful, coordinated,
synchronised
Like water off a duck’s Very easy, smooth
back
Mowed down Killed
No Man is an island A person cannot successfully live
and operate by themself.
Number 1 Urine: urinate
Number 2 Faeces; defecate
Oh Lord OMG; a cry of regret or for relief
One notch One level up
Out of sorts Not feeling like your usual self
Per se To a small degree, not that much
Pet Peeve Something irritating
Pooped Defecated
Put on the back burner Not a priority
Reggae gone abroad Reggae has gone into the
international markets, all across
the world.
Sealed the deal Convinced, bought out
Secret Sauce Like a trade secret or a
characteristic that makes someone
succeed or excel e.g. Kryptonite for
Superman
Straight through the Collapsed, broke down, was no
window longer practised
Straight and Narrow No deviations from a path; no
short cuts are taken
Stick-to-it-ive-ness Dedication, commitment
Stinky Feet Athlete’s foot
Survival of the fittest The stronger person (s) within a
group will come out on top after a
battle or crisis
243
Expression
They didn’t play No joking around or games. Being
serious
Time is money Time is precious and has a
monetary value attached to it. It
should not be wasted.
Took the cake Shocking, alarming
What is good for the What may be ok for one person,
goose is not good for may not be the case for another
the gander person
What is trash to one is What is deemed of no use in one
treasure to another setting, may be treasured highly in
another setting
When in Rome do as When in a foreign culture or
the Romans unknown space, comply with the
rules and regulations for a
peaceful sojourn.
Where the rubber hit Limit, breaking point
(s) the road
Wind down Come to a close, end or relax
244
Reviews
This book highlights a young woman’s bravery and
determination to overcome cultural challenges in order to
achieve her goals. It is an excellent guidebook for those
interested in studying in Japan and other foreign countries.
Professor Takashi Mino, The University of Tokyo,
Japan
In this book T.A. Hyman shares her raw and uncut thoughts
and emotions as she relates a journey that many persons
would shy away from - one that took her many thousands of
miles away from the comfort of her home, Jamaican food,
friends, and culture. A must-read!
Dr. Louis-Ray Harris, President of the Association of
Jamaican MEXT Students (AJMS), Jamaica
T.A. Hyman’s book, chronicles her experiences in Japan and

provides the reader with a window through which they can
experience vicariously the practical and exotic opportunities
that travel affords the intrepid traveller. The book also
highlights the importance of cross-cultural learning to
enhance effective communication between members of any
host culture and visitors. Want to get some understanding of
the Japanese culture? This book is for you.
Janette B. Fuller, Author, and Japan Exchange and
Teaching (JET) Programme Alumna, Jamaica
T.A. Hyman skilfully introduces us to cultural differences and

related challenges faced by visitors to a foreign country.
Given my experience living and working in Caribbean
cultures, I strongly recommend this book which highlights the
Fork vs. Chopsticks culture to students, professionals and
others interested in understanding those differences.
Mr. Leon Harris, Civil Engineer, Jamaica
245
To BOOK SKOLASTIK OASIS CARIBBEAN
(SOC) for a
speaking engagement or training session, send an
email to:
skolastikoasiscaribbean@gmail.com
246
ENDNOTES
i
INTRODUCTION
https://mespom.eu/
CHAPTER 1: A Leap of Faith
ii
https://www.jamaica.emb-japan.go.jp/itpr_en/
study_in_japan.html
iii
http://www.sustainability.k.u-tokyo.ac.jp/
iv
https://mattressstuff.com/tatami-mat/
CHAPTER 2: The First 30 Days - Japanese Culture
v
There are several other honorific terms that exist in the Japanese
language, that are to be used in different situations, which may prove
‘overwhelming’ for visitors to Japan. More on this topic can be found
here:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_honorifics and
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honorific_speech_in_Japanese
vi
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_honorifics
vii
https://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/A-review--Ackee-
poisoning-in-Jamaica_60767
CHAPTER 3: The First 30 Days - My Japanese Tutor
viii
This store is similar to the concept of a dollar store in the USA.
You can find a lot of personal and household items, even food at
very reasonable prices i.e. 100 yen or less. It is called: ‘Hyaku en
Shoppu’ in Japanese
ix
https://jamaicanpatwah.com/b/overview-of-the-jamaican-
language#.YQ9OE4hKi01
CHAPTER 4: Getting it Right

x
https://japantoday.com/category/crime/man-punched-in-the-
face-by-fellow-train-commuter-over-bad-phone-manners
xi
To access the Japan Times, click the link below:
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/
xii
https://japantoday.com/
CHAPTER 5: The Next 30 Days
xiii
More information on the Meiju Jingu Festival can be found here:
https://www.meijijingu.or.jp/en/
xiv
http://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/commentary/20200801/morg
an-hollie-emancipation-day-reminder-caribbean-still-needs-
justice
xv
More information on the transatlantic slave trade can be found
here: https://www.britannica.com/topic/transatlantic-slave-trade
xvi
https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e5200.html
CHAPTER 7: Slowly but Surely…
xvii
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_writing_system
xviii
http://www.hyperdia.com/
CHAPTER 8: Self-Discovery and Acceptance
xix
https://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/news/20201202/jamaica-
wins-big-world-travel-awards-2020
xx
English Translation
Verse 1
I am a black girl on a Japanese train
And Japanese persons are staring at me
Like I have no blood in my veins (as if I am not a human being)
What a mental stress to take this train!
Sometimes I can’t even remember my name.
They stare at me, then they look away when I look back
I am wondering what they are saying to themselves
They look to the right, and then to the left
And ask their friends seated beside them
Chorus
Where is she from?
Why does she look like that?
What is that on her head?
Why does her face look like that?
Where is she from? Jamaica.

Why does she look like that? How?
What is that on her head? Corn rows
Why does her face look like that? She is frowning from annoyance
Verse 2
There are empty seats on a Japanese Train
But people are afraid of me
And don’t want to sit too close to me
When the train cabin is full however
They will have no choice
They will have to sit beside me
And will not be able to escape
I am wondering what they are saying to themselves
They look to the right, and then to the left
And ask their friends seated beside them
Chorus
Where is she from?
Why does she look like that?
What is that on her head?
Why does her face look like that?
Where is she from? Jamaica.
Why does she look like that? How?
What is that on her head? Corn rows
Why does her face look like that? She is frowning from annoyance
Verse 3
We’re living in a very globalised world
So all closed doors
Will have to open up
You don’t look like me
Neither do I look like you
But we are still one family (all come from the same Creator)
And one blood as well
Bridge
I don’t look that different
Neither am I dressed differently
I don’t talk strange at all
And my hair is quite fine as is
(Rep X 2)
xxi
https://www.mext.go.jp/en/policy/education/highered/title02/d
etail02/sdetail02/1395420.htm
xxii
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2018/10/22/national/
government-aims-300000-international-students/
xxiii
https://www.uniqlo.com/us/en/home/
xxiv
https://www.amazon.com/Welcome-Greatness-Wakeup-Journey-
Fulfillment-ebook/dp/B07958K832
xxv
https://bestlivingjapan.com/aalawi-jerk-chicken-pork/
xxvi
https://www.jamaica.emb-japan.go.jp/itpr_en/
jet_programme.html
xxvii
http://tokyobaptist.org/
CHAPTER 9: International Exposure
xxviii
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caribbean
xxix
https://www.britannica.com/topic/transatlantic-slave-trade
xxx
http://onelovejamaicafestival.jp/
xxxi
https://www.jamaipanese.com/one-love-jamaica-festival-2007-
yoyogi-park-tokyo/
xxxii
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nyabinghi_rhythm
xxxiii
https://gleaner.newspaperarchive.com/kingston-gleaner/2009-
08-19/page-72/ (published in August 2009)
xxxiv
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/strong-offshore-earthquake-
shakes-japan/
CHAPTER 10: Stepping out into the Unknown
xxxv
http://melluht.yolasite.com/
xxxvi
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RNo7oubH7Nk
xxxvii
A person with ethnic origins from northern India. They have
developed a reputation for begging and even picking pockets
xxxviii
This is an amphitheatre found at the centre of Rome. It is a
historical place of interest and highly visited by tourists to Rome.
xxxix
https://www.alitalia.com/en_us/
xl
http://en.apu.ac.jp/home/news/article/?storyid=1848
xli
www.japan-guide.com/e/e2355.html
CHAPTER 11: The Fork vs. Chopsticks Philosophies
xlii
https://medium.com/jumpstart-your-dream-life/the-man-the-
boy-and-the-donkey-a-lesson-on-critics-e61990cf8a07
xliii
www.gaijinpot.com This website was integral to my job search and
enabled me to get a job in Japan
xliv
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/09669582.2013.
855220
CHAPTER 12: We did it!
xlv
https://jamaica-
gleaner.com/gleaner/20110806/news/news16.html#slideshow-3
xlvi
https://bestlivingjapan.com/tag/jamaican-food/
CHAPTER 13: Earthquake!!!
xlvii
https://www.gaba.co.jp/
xlviii
https://www.amazon.com/Unthinkable-Survives-When-
Disaster-Strikes/dp/0307352900
xlix
https://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20110321/flair/flair81.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011_T
%C5%8Dhoku_earthquake_ and_tsunami
li
https://www.latimes.com/business/la-fgw-japan-quake-world-
bank-20110322-story.html
lii
https://web.archive.org/web/20110331005015/http://www.accuw
eather.com/blogs/news/story/47459/top-5-most-expensive-
natural-d.asp
liii
https://www.world-nuclear.org/information-library/safety-and-
security/safety-of-plants/fukushima-daiichi-
accident.aspx#:~:text=Following%20a%20major%20earthquake
%2C%20a,in%20the%20first%20three%20days
CHAPTER 14: Coming Back Home
liv
https://www.jamaicaobserver.com/magazines/allwoman/tracy-
ann-hyman-wants-to-make-disaster-mitigation-everybody-s-
business
CHAPTER 15: A Company is Formed
lv
http://digjamaica.com/m/blog/tracy-hyman-story-brilliant-
beyond-the-jamaican-classroom/
lvi
https://issuu.com/jo-ann/docs/kw-magazine_jan_2020

FINAL CHOPSTICKS (Ebook With Lines Removed)

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FINAL CHOPSTICKS (Ebook With Lines Removed)

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Copyright © 2021 by T.A.

Published in Kingston, Jamaica by SKOLASTIK OASIS CARIBBEAN (SOC),

NATIONAL LIBRARY OF JAMAICA CATALOGUING-IN-PUBLICATION

Name: Hyman, T.A. (Tracy-Ann), author.

First Printed in Kingston, Jamaica

Book Cover Design: Lidah buaya & Ryan Scott

I dedicate this book to the memory of the late Clifton ‘Derrick’

To people across the world, tirelessly seeking out purpose and

I am foremost grateful to God for giving me life and a purpose

The stories and events described in this book are my

Congratulations on the author’s wonderful literary talent

Dr. Louis-Ray Harris

‘The road to success leads through the valley of humility, and

The period leading up to me leaving Jamaica for Japan, in

T.A. Hyman, CEO

Prior to my living and studying in Japan, I was a Sales

The Journey Begins

In 2008, I received a Monbukagakusho (MEXT) Scholarship

Unknown to me at that time, the University of Tokyo iii

changed immediately. ‘Atamagaii’,2 they would say, and that

testimony that you do not have to be exceptionally ‘bright’ in

In October 2008, I took a leap of faith by flying over 8000

I took a bus from the airport to Kashiwa, Chiba, to meet my

My First Seven Days

My first seven days in Japan were literally an ‘EYE-OPENER!’

Not to mention the bath tub! ‘What was that?’ When I

Ofuro - Japanese Bath Tub

There were several things that caught my attention in those

The people were punctual

When I boarded the bus from the Narita International Airport,

Instructions were clear

Having received the acceptance letter for the Japanese MEXT

The Japanese were safety-conscious

Where I lived in Kashiwa, Chiba, school children walking on

They were big on self-help

When you went to the supermarket, there was no one to pack

The Place was clean

The Technology was advanced

The Japanese were ingenious

When you went to the supermarket and gave money to the

 Take some time to break away from your daily routine

The Japanese disposition is generally one of calm and quiet,

just imagine the level of activity and noise involved while

The Japanese manner system is based on honour. It comprises

Japanese Food and Eating Style

The Japanese are very adventurous eaters; they are known to

What was intriguing to me, though, was the consumption of

Despite my reservations, there were certain food items that

T.A Hyman (1st from right) with her classmates at an Okonomiyaki

After all of that, I realized that the timer was supposed to

One cultural eating style which stood out to me during my time

In those first 30 days of arriving in Japan, I ate a lot at my

with their clothes partially on, screaming… That was a joke.

didn’t happen, just my active imagination at work.

Those DARN CHOPSTICKS!

One major challenge that I faced during those first 30 days of

was using chopsticks. So, by cultural default, I resorted to using

frustrating at first, because I couldn’t finish my meals or enjoy

 Learn the principles on which a society is founded. In

My Japanese Tutor: Hara-San

One major challenge during those first 30 days of arriving in

Panty lines - do not cross!

There were, however, several light moments shared with Hara-