04/02/2026 JPBT Day 11 : Synchronized Sincerity

Janet and I spent the last two rainy days studying Japanese. You can get “on a role” and start to feel your confidence building… only to discover the very next day that you remember seeing that Kanji before - but have no idea what it means anymore.

I’d like to believe that it’s all still in there somewhere. I recently read about some people who have the ability to remember almost every little detail, down to the color of the aglet on their shoelaces some random Friday 15 years ago. Scientists found more cross-talk between certain regions of their brains. Sounds like a pretty simple, yet profound difference, huh?

But honestly, I’m grateful for my slower, human-speed brain. Though I try to fight it, I realized that it is exactly these mundane human limitations that keep life interesting. If learning a language was as easy as just downloading it to your brain, all the fun would be gone.

Our route had a waterfall park along the way, and we paid à small admission for the pleasure of walking along mossy rocks and trying to interpret signs. I stopped to sound out à signe beneath a tree saying “ツガ” (Tsuga)… could it be the Latin name for Hemlock? I pulled out my dictionary. Yes! A tiny hit of dopamine, completely disproportionate to the achievement. Little things like that are the steppingstones down this Slow and convoluted Japanese learning path.

We were running out of food again so Janet decided to get some overpriced muffins from the “ビサタセンター” (that is literally pronounced “bisata senta” - say it out loud and it sounds like “visitor center!) There are so many “freebies” in Japanese - English words reincarnated in Japan.. you just have to sound it out and then think for a moment….

There were two women working behind the counter. One was teaching the other how to operate the register. After thanking Janet à dozen times for buying the muffins, they both bowed in perfect unison like synchronized swimmers. You can’t help but like the artistry of Japan’s choreography.

We cycled up and down mountains on tranquil roads, finally finding a secluded and quiet stop to pitch the tent in nature once again.