My worldwide adventures to explore globalization on the ground, meet cool people, and understand other cultures and my own better, continue this fall! In October I intend to travel to Japan, China, and India for six weeks. I am looking for:
1. Contacts — Do you know people in any or all of these countries? Do you live in one of those countries? I’m looking for shelter and/or good conversations.
2. Advice — If you have been to these countries and have tips, I’m all ears. I’m not particularly interested in, say, specific restaurants as much as more general guidance.
I have no firm plans in any of these countries. I will probably go to Tokyo/Kyoto in Japan, Beijing and some places in the west in China, and Mumbai/Bangalore in India, but it’s wide open. I’m particularly interested in meeting businesspeople, academics, journalists, educators, or young people in leadership positions. In addition, I’m interested in checking out offshore shops in China and India.
It’s harder being an English speaking American citizen in these countries than it is in Europe, which is why I’m hopeful I can connect with as many locals as possible.
For those who don’t know, I recently spent seven weeks in Europe and stayed with blog readers and friends of friends and everything worked out marvelously.
Please email me if you have any connections. Thank you very much!
Japan Blogs
http://divedi.blogspot.com/2006/07/japan-blogs.html
I have a friend who had a really hard time getting visas in China, but she was headed to the interior for an extended period. Of those countries you list, my only experience was in the Tokyo/Narita airport to and from Thailand–I had a massive layover there. I had to take a shuttle from one part of the airport to another, which was confusing–I caused a number of the “greeter girls” to burst into giggles while I flapped around confusedly.
The Narita airport does have small rooms, comprised of a shower and bed, that one can rent for a few hours (I did–I reeeaally needed a shower and nap)–the rooms are quite clean and cheap, and are right in the terminals. There are also plenty of couch/chair hybrids that are nap-able. There were huge Yahoo computer banks that one can use for free, and, of course, gaggles of Japanese girls in the world’s trendiest clothes, staring unabashedly and eating Pocky.
I recently read River Town by Peter Hessler–it’s a worthwhile memoir of an American in China, if you’re interested:
http://www.rolfpotts.com/writers/hessler.html
…I’m very envious of your planned trip, esp. India–I really want to make it out there myself, soon.
Best (& good luck!)
Dani
I’ve got people in my UWP crew from Japan and China. Want me to pass your email address on?
Hi Ben, this is Erica from Italy
I’ve never been to any of these countries (yet) but since I study Japanese and the Histiry & Culture of this wonderful country I could help you if you have any trouble..
Anyway japanese people are always very kind and helpful even if sometimes it’s a bit difficult to understand their english!
There’s just one thing you can’t really forget in Japan.. GIFTS!
It’s an important tradition in Japan to always bring a gift when you’re going to visit somebody, even it’s a small “worthless” gift .. just try to make it look good.
Sometimes (most of the times) the pack is even more important than the gift itself!
Moreover in Japan they always trade business cards so bring lots of them with you!
Hope this helps!
Erica
uh…
got no connections, but enough dust is sticking to me like a wool cloth just out of a drying machine.