Thursday, June 26, 2014

Tokyo - take it or leave it /Ch.3 Below the surface

Below the surface):

I'm quite sure it's not the city you'd fall in love with. It doesn't have enough charm or allure to captivate or inspire. Probably it's too prosaic, practical, obscure in its dally predictability. Things rarely happen here that would excite your taste or imagination or simply please eyes. It's more of the small obstacle course where you already know the scenario and just keep playing it as a necessary part of living in the city's large stomach.
It weighs on you like a lazy giant that has no purpose.
And it definitely does look better at night from the distance with all the twinkling lights and dark silhouettes that could be anything or anyone you wish.
Anonymity is the key. Dissolving in the vast massive entity and still staying yourself, not trading who you are for the illusive peace, navigating the waters without expectations or obligations.
Writing and performing your own little play surrounded by thousands ever changing sceneries or living beings that coexist but don't cross your path or influence the direction of your thought.
Murmur of the language around gives cushioning to the edges between reality and what you want it to be. 
Curiously, in this city some people jump at the sound of foreign tongue behind them, swiftly turn and roll their eyes out. So much for being the capital, constant, decades long efforts to master English and looming globalization.
The same could be said for foreign looking faces of all kinds that for some reason can not stop exciting all the unnecessary attention.
Curiosity? Maybe....
Being foreign-looking in this city will get you a lot of uninvited attention, curious looks and plain staring. You might not be a celebrity but you'll definitely be scrutinized on a daily basis for your looks, way to dress, generally for being different. 
There's no chance to completely dissolve in a crowd. Attention comes in various forms, from innocent child-like curiosity, to ogling, to hostile glares making you self-conscious or oblivious, whatever you may choose as a defense mechanism depending how long you've stayed here. 
At times people will get comfy to observe you on transport from far corners and it won't matter if you look back trying to stair them away. It doesn't matter what you do, really. Everything will be written off by one concept - foreigner.  Being a foreigner of course gives you a carte blanche.

The feeling of being constantly watched from various angles is persistent and disturbing but that's another facet of the city that refuses to grow up.

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