Kokoro vs April Snowstorms
Just like we did a couple of weeks ago, Kokoro and I interviewed each other once again! The topic? Our experiences and impressions after visiting Canada and Japan for the first time. If you want to read about my first trip to Japan, you can check out Kokoro’s article here, but in the meanwhile, let’s head to Canada!
DD:
Here we go again, let me start with the obvious – what was the biggest shock or surprise you had when you visited Canada?
KO:
Oh, that one’s easy. There was snow everywhere. IN THE MIDDLE OF APRIL. You even told me not to bring snow boots because the weather was going to be warm. Then, one week into the trip, there was a huge snowstorm. Good thing I didn’t listen to you.
Also, two days after that, snow and ice were falling from trees and houses. It was both so beautiful and terrifying. I grew up in Western Japan, so I had never seen anything like this…
DD:
Laughs. Yeah, it takes a while to get used to it, but honestly it’s not so bad after a winter or two! Well, the answer to my next question is probably not going to be ‘the weather’…is there anything that you would like to bring back from Canada and introduce in Japan?
KO:
McDonald’s coffee sizes!!!
DD:
Wow, you didn’t even need two seconds to think about that one, you’ve been dreaming about it for a while, I guess?
KO:
Well, to be honest, food portions in Canada were enormous, I could never finish anything, but I forced myself to do it anyway because I hate wasting or leaving food on the plate. I remember we went out for brunch once and we had enough food for two days. In one meal.
But coffee is different! I can drink plenty of coffee…all of the coffee…
DD:
Laughs. Alright, alright, easy with the coffee, I promise we can go make one after we’re done here. Was there anything else you enjoyed so much in Canada?
KO:
Actually, I would love to bring back all those open spaces and parks. Everywhere we went, it felt like we were surrounded by nature. Even in the city centre, there were mountains in the background and so many other parks. Houses are also not so close together as in Tokyo, everyone seems to have much more space and bigger backyards.
Also, squirrels. Seeing squirrels everywhere on the street was so exciting!!!
DD:
How about the other way around then, since you brought up Tokyo? Is there anything you enjoy in Japan that you would have liked to have in Canada?
KO:
Hmm, this might be very random, but having toilets in a separate room from the bathroom would be nice. I did miss that from Japan.
And fresh fish. Yeah, weird connection, I know. Even though there were plenty of ‘fresh’ fish at the grocery stores, just from the smell of it, I could tell it wasn’t as fresh as advertised, not to mention it was so much more expensive than in Japan.
DD:
Yes, unfortunately we don’t have sashimi counters at the grocery store, I know what you mean. Were there any funny things that you noticed or that happened while you were in Canada?
KO:
When we visited Quebec City, I remember we went to a restaurant at a hotel, but they only had French menus. We had asked if there was an English one, but they didn’t have any although it was a hotel, which I thought was funny.
On top of that, the person who was sitting next to us clearly didn’t speak French so he kept translating everything on his phone. At least you can speak French, so we didn’t have that issue; plus, the waiter was also very friendly and helpful!
DD:
Oh yeah, I remember that, I wonder what happened to their menus. But alright, you’ve brought this up in almost all of your answers, so let’s talk about the elephant in the room. How was the food in Canada?
KO:
It was yummy! I liked it, there honestly wasn’t anything I couldn’t eat because of the taste – just the portion size. Also, when we went to the sugar shack, all the fresh maple syrup sweets were so tasty!
DD:
Yes yes, but you still didn’t try to put maple syrup on your ham and eggs! What was your favourite place to visit then, besides the sugar shack?
KO:
It’s not one place in particular, but actually just all the big parks we walked through. They were everywhere! Even in the city centre, like I said earlier. It was so wonderful to constantly breathe fresh air, see all the rivers and lakes, mountains and forests. It was very different from Tokyo where you feel surrounded by buildings at every corner.
DD:
I’m glad you enjoyed that, despite the snow and ‘cold’ temperatures! Alright, one last question – tell me something random that you enjoyed about Canada that you hadn’t even thought about before visiting.
KO:
It was very interesting to experience the ‘bonjour/hi’ greeting in most stores we walked into! I wasn’t aware of that custom before, so it was a unique experience to be helped in the language of your preference. On top of that, there were bilingual signs and ads everywhere!
DD:
Do you still remember the French you learned in university?
KO:
Oui, un peu! [Yes, a little!]
DD:
Impressive! Merci beaucoup pour l’entrevue, Kokoro! [Thank you very much for the interview, Kokoro!]