The suffix in Japanese known as "-san" is said after an adult's name. For whatever the reason, this is also said when saying Mount Fuji in Japanese. Fuji-san is one of Japan's most iconic figures and many from around the world hike this mountain in the summer months of the northern hemisphere.
Years ago, hiking could be done year-round. Now, hikers are limited to the warmer months due to the winter elements found at the higher elevations on Fuji-san.
One issue of concern is the amount of trash found on the mountain. This is where the Japanese mentality towards trash clashes with Westerner's. In Japan, it is rare to find a trash can at places where you would expect one in the West. This is due to the fact that what get disposed of must be removed and recycled. The Japanese take this serious and due to the grandiose approach that the Japanese are known for (think making a mountain out of a molehill) the Japanese simply do not have public trash cans forcing people to take the trash with them. This approach simply does not register with the passing foreigner that only wants to hike.
As the old saying goes, "When in Rome do as the Romans do." The same rule applies in Japan. But, it would seem logical that a place so iconic in Japan as Mount Fuji that special arrangements could be made to preserve nature.
In the previous post, the young man wearing the Howard Dean shirt was visiting Tokyo on a medical internship. His older cousin, the blond, gave him a crash course on things like how to say this in Japanese, how to bathe in a Japanese public bath house, etc. At the end of our hike, the visiting cousin had accumulated trash and wanted to dispose of it before getting on the bus. He asked a clerk at the one of the many shops at the bottom of Mount Fuji if she would take his trash. The woman refused frustrating him.
The tidal wave known as tsunami in Japanese are the result of an earthquake in Japan in most cases. The most noticeable one was around Christmas 2004 in Thailand.
I think of a tidal wave as a cycle of life. At first, the wave materializes then crescendos at its peak. Then it crashes down rolling over everything in its path.
At times, we have to regroup and think of what is necessary before moving forward on the correct path. Then, once we get going, and the path is right, there is no stopping. There will be bumps in the road but in the end, when it is right nothing can stop you.
The tidal wave is intimidating such as life. Only the brave can get on.
Which one are you? The contender or the pretender? Do you have what it takes?
The wave only comes by once in a blue moon. Get on while there is still room.
The Divine Wind Vault
http://divinewindvault.blogspot.com
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