Today is my 6th day in Tokyo. Till now it seems that my rest of trip here is going to be a little bit relaxing from my work point of view. The scope of my work has reduced drastically since I've arrived here. But since this is software industry, it takes no time for that reduction to shoot up back again. Lets keep the fingers, hands, feet, everything crossed.

Well, my stay here in Japan has been quite interesting till now. I'm learning new things everyday by observing local people here. Although I'm still not able to get hold of any Japanese daily use words but that is just matter of few more days. Japanese, nature-wise, are very silent, calm, polite, courteous people. Their courtesy can easily give you a pain in the neck as you have to bent it so many times in a day, be it your office, or any restaurant, or any shop. But in terms of working I haven't seen such vigor, enthusiasm, intelligence, far-sightedness in any other race with whom I have been in contact with. While interacting with my clients, I'm gaining insight into the mentality of any normal Japanese. Their quest for development never stops. They always want to go to the next level as fast as they can. That is why I was so mesmerized looking at the grandeur of Tokyo city itself. I can't believe this is the same country that has suffered so majorly in WW-II.

Here are few things that I have observed about Japanese people till now:

1. There are several way of greetings and thanking which varies depending on situation.
2. Whenever you enter a restaurant, you will be loudly greeted by everyone: the cashier, the waiters, the cook etc. Similar happens when you exit the restaurant.
3. It is considered quite rude if you don't produce your visiting card while meeting someone officially. Also, if you don't read the other person's card before putting inside your pocket.
4. Japanese people don't wear too loud colors, especially, for work.
5. If you are having a drink with someone, it is the other person who will pour the drink into your glass and vice verse.
6. They sweat very less even in this hot and humid climate nowadays.
7. Traffic discipline and etiquette are praise worthy.

I can go on but I'll surely add to the list in coming days.

I'm having nice time here. Not unlike Qatar, where I was bored to death. But the only thing is I miss Lothika very much. I so want her to be here with me and share all these experiences with me. I have decided, that whatever is my next trip I'm going to try my best that it is on a work permit for a long term so that I can take her with me too.

I'm in Tokyo

I'm trying hard to keep my diary updated. As visible it has been about two weeks since my last entry. Well, the reason being Lothika was here in Pune and when she is around I don't get time for my extra circular activities. There is so much to do with her that often I forget to put my daily entry into this. But I guess that is what I need. It is much better to return home and someone is waiting for you as compared to coming to an empty house and then trying to kill time one way or the other. Anyways, it was fun days since my last post.

Last to last weekend we went on a drive to Lavasa city. It was worth the time spent driving among lush green hills around Pune getting the dose of fresh air filling our lungs. And when you have your partner sitting beside you, the trip becomes more fun. It was a great Saturday.

Last weekend, we spent in Mumbai and had a great booze party at Khatu's. Milan has just come back from US and as is the trend with everybody returning from a foreign trip, he was loaded with alcohol. So we had our old traditional party at flat with kurkure, chicken etc. The only difference, we had proper glasses this time instead of plastic ones everytime. Five of us drank away a full white of Black Label.

Now, I'm getting prepared for my Japan trip. My Visa has come and will be with me tomorrow. Now I've to start preparing a list of things which I have to do before leaving. All are in my mind now. I hope I don't miss out anything.

Today was very long day. I was literally napping sitting at my desk. I can easily enjoy that luxury as I sit in a separate building than my fellow practice group mates. I can even put my head down on the keyboard and enjoy my sleep. Though, I'm not able to do so. I just don't feel like doing so. Even if I put down my head I won't be able to continue it for more than few seconds. It just feels awkward. I keep having this feeling that someone is just standing behind me and noticing me and feeling disgusted. I sometimes feel disgusted when I see other people napping in the office. So why should I make anyone else feel the same?

Anyways, I made it through the day. But I'm still not over my weekend hangover. No, I didn't went on a drinking binge and lost my nerves. This is Batman hangover. Saw this most amazing movie I have seen for a long long time and came out of E-square thoroughly impressed. I knew that today, on Infy BB, nothing else will be discussed but the movie and I was bang on right. 99% of people have definitely liked the movie and every review has given it 4 out of 5 stars in their rating. Although I did hear some critical reception by those skeptics that don't like anything and will try to find fault in every goddamn thing in universe. But who cares? I'm going to watch the movie again and I'm thinking of catching it on the IMAX screen.

I will be leaving for Japan sometime in mid August. So it is about one month before I go. That is a lot of time to complete my certifications, so I'm relaxed a bit. But relaxing means the same old boring time-kill in the office. Thinking of office, let me describe a little experience of politics today. This colleague (I won't mention names) is kinda jealous of me going to Japan on the project. And through some cheap tactics trying everything that she goes in place of me. Although the so called "tactics" are very childish and won't effect me in minutest way but I had never thought that person to be a player of notorious office-politics. I don't like office-politics and I try to avoid being part of it as much as I can. But I too can be a shrewd player in this business. After all, this is my career too.

I definitely needed today's off. I was thinking about this since yesterday as I was sure that I am going to fall sick in the morning. And I wanted to spend a day with Lothika at home since that Chennai trip hasn't given me a chance to do so last weekend. So it was a total lazy day with doing nothing but watching TV or reading or sleeping. I'm so sad that the day got over so quickly. But this middle-of-the-week break was quite nice and refreshing. Now I have just 3 more days to kill before the weekend comes.

I watched 'Letter from Iwo Jima' today. I had seen the other companion of the movie 'Flags of our Fathers' long time back. I really liked that movie but this was a much better Eastwood make. Clint Eastwood has really graduated into the lines of all top-notch Hollywood directors. These twins of movies really proves his directorial talents. The movie showed the Japanese side of the battle of Iwo Jima in WWII as to how they futilely tried to defend the island from American invasion. The Japanese side was being led by a very competent general but stupidity of his subordinates, who believed in the old long Japanese tradition of considering suicide as an honour, lost him the battle. It was beautifully depicted added with some extraordinary acting skills by the cast. Allover, this was a perfect way to end the perfect resting day.

It was after a week that I went to office today. I was in Chennai DC for some training and yes as told by many I didn't like the city a bit. Bad food, bad weather and bad overall environment. Anyways, just leave these bad things apart. Now for some good news. I'm finally getting project. But even the good news has some sad part. I have to travel to Japan for this. Of all the places in the world, Japan is one country for which I'm not that too eager to visit. A land of workaholics who have no social life. They work almost 20 hours a day and make everyone else do the same. So I guess this experience is gonna be quite thrilling.