Why Some People Should Never Travel

Today I got up and was going to do a post on my experience with nail care in Japan. That got totally side tracked when I was browsing Jezebel and happened upon this gem of a post: This Goldman Sachs Lady Will Teach You How to Date Black Dudes. I like a good rubberneck as much as anyone so I checked out the the writer's site.

Her idiocy, unfortunately, went beyond the idiocy of referring to African Americans as "the brothers" in the same line as the Asians. She decided to do a whole breakdown on her visit to another place that is really near and dear to me: Italy. I have been visiting the country on and off now for the past 10 years more or less, and have friends there who have become family. So to say that I can get a bit protective sometimes is an overstatement. If I didn't love Japan and my Japanese significant other so much I could definitely see making it my home.

So, you could imagine how much this article really pissed me off. First off, one should not knock the language/culture if they have not made at least some effort to understand it. For example, Prego is almost equivalent to the US English's OK. If someone critiqued that as a quirk I'm pretty sure she would have looked at that person like they were insanely stupid.

Then she goes on to critique the Italian subway system. It is by no means perfect, but if you are holding the NYC subway as a paragon of transport you've got problems lady. It is rocky as hell, tends to show up whenever, and reeks of trash as well as other unique scents I'm going to chose not to dwell on at the moment. Fact is the Italian subways are cleaner, more efficient, and actually get you where you need to go without the need to go express at a moment's notice.

People like this should just never travel. They navel gaze too much and are unable to break out of their own me-centric POV. If they can't figure it out it is not because it just happens to be different it is because it is deficient. The whole point of her post was to discuss how differences can arise even if one looks the same, well I guess she made her point loud and clear here. We both are women, reside(d) in NYC, and have been to Italy. And you know what? We could not be more different. Mission accomplished.

The fact is the great thing about traveling is that it not only lets you see and experience new places, but also lets you discover new things about yourself as well. When you let it that is and when people are unable or unwilling to that - they miss the whole point of traveling. That is the very reason why I truly believe some people should never travel.

Time to Face the Music

It has been a very long time friends. So long that now I'm getting spammers on my blog. The reason for my absence? A job came my way. Originally it was a freelance gig, but it grew into something more. While I'm thankful for the permanent gig, sometimes it is a bit trying as it is a start up. Lots of work for a less than stellar salary, but it is an opportunity to get in on the ground floor. So, who knows? Maybe it'll be the new SCDP?

I'm in Tokyo currently on break with my family. Wandering around Tokyo's Harajuku I realized how far I'd fallen in regards to personal upkeep. Holy christ I looked downright shabby even though I'd actually taken the time to dress and wear makeup. A luxury I haven't afforded myself in quite some time as I work from home as well as long hours.

My hair was just completely unacceptable. So, thanks to my trusty iphone I tracked down an English speaking and well respected hair salon in Tokyo. About an hour later, I had $65 dollars less in my pocket and a much improved hairstyle. It is a bit odd according to my significant other, but 20s chic in my opinion.

Living in NYC doing something like this normally results in you looking like your hair was cut with a flowbie. Doing it in Tokyo gives you a new lease on life. Worst or best of all (depends on your perspective) the process was cheaper, faster, and overall just better. I got a killer head/neck/back massage (much needed after my 14 hours of travel), and a faaaaantastic blowout.

Where did I go?

ワタナベ・ヘアードレッシング

東京都渋谷区神宮前３丁目２５−６ サンビューティ原宿 Ｂ１Ｆ

PH: 03-5411-5633

http://www.watanabe-hair.com

For those who can't read japanese or barely get by like me:

Watanabe Hair Dressing

3-25-6 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo

03-5411-5633

PH: 03-5411-5633

http://www.watanabe-hair.com

Some people seem to have been less than pleased with their cuts there when I checked the reviews. It just seems to me that people (I've been guilty in the past) are not on their game when they get their hair cut. I had to ask for a bit of an adjustment, but other than that I was extremely clear on what I wanted. A key thing to make sure you accomplish no mater where you get your hair cut.

Well I'll let you be the ones to make the verdict whether or not it was worth it!