January 11
And so this is life: this existence that we live, this reality in which we are immersed. Strange, is it not? In many ways, yes. And in others, it fits our natures curiously.
I remember reading in a book that the only two sources of wisdom in the world are books and people. True. It is funny how certain books have a way of appearing in my hands just in time, just at the moment when I need them most. Ah, and the mysteries of the world all unfold before me and I see sometimes with eyes of truth, and the vision is good. If only I can continue to strengthen my will, to build up the power of what it is I know I must do, rather than the very many things that I know are but temporary desires.
Perhaps I ought summarize the day so far. I write this part of the entry in the van, as we return from Camp Zama to go to the American Embassy in Tokyo. Traffic in Tokyo is much like any other large city, which means that we are moving along at a snail's pace. Ah, but we will get there. Hmm, such assurance at such a simple venture – why then cannot we exercise the same faith in more complex adventures? For this appears but simple for we are familiar with the workings of the machines that take us from place to place; similarly, if we were but familiar with the realities that shape our world, then too all acts would be possible. But faith is born out of familiarity and out of experience. But, experience takes time to accumulate. Time.
A summary of the day thus far: I awoke at 6:15 am and showered and dressed in formal wear, for today was to be one of the two formal days of the trip. I opened the blinds, looked at the sun rising through mists across the many buildings that make up Tokyo. The view looked as if it were a world just waking up, a place at the Utmost East that was first to see the dawn of a new day. We in the West but see a sunrise that has already ascended a thousand different skies.
We all ate breakfast and boarded the van for Camp Zama, the headquarters of US Army Japan. When we arrived, we had a little time before our first office call, and thus toured the grounds, snapping a few photos of the lush greenery and engraved statues. The Camp had served the Japanese as an officer-training base during the Second World War, but now was the headquarters for US Army Japan. Therein, we went to the offices of various commanders and officers and spoke with them. All were very warm and inviting, and made us feel very much at home. In those conversations, we reflected a bit on the American educational system, on life and science, and on the future, as well as on what we have to learn from the past. We also met the Commanding General, a gracious man who spoke in a calm measured voice and who gave us gifts of medals with Mt. Fuji and the US Army Japan engraved upon them. After that, we went to do an interview with Channel 12, the base's TV station.
After much fuss with microphones and audio quality, the soldiers there finally decided to interview us separately, one at a time. I went first and fielded the questions as best as I could, for many of them considered my impressions of Japan, which so far are a bit scant, for I have been but on this foreign soil for less than 24 hours. Once I had completed the interview, Debra went and I was able to watch her on the TV screens in the production room. She spoke calmly, choosing her words wisely and expressing herself eloquently. Once the interviews were completed, we spoke a bit longer with the Army soldiers there before heading to lunch (which had Enya continuously playing the background, much to our pleasure) and then boarding the van and departing for the Embassy.
At the Embassy, we met with the Science Advisor and spoke about what the Embassy did in Japan. Essentially, its work broke down into a few key areas: space, the environment, nuclear power and scientific research. The conversation was pleasant, though brief.
Next, we traveled to the Hardy Barracks, where we met with the director of the Army Research Office in the Far East, Dr. D'Andrea, or simply, "Dr. D." He spoke at length about how he had empowered his office through judicious use of the Web, and he demonstrated the site he and his team had built. He also graciously offered us gifts and wished us the best. Afterwards, we took photos with him and some other Japanese scientists. I felt as if I loomed a little tall...
Finally, when we got back to the hotel we ate dinner and then strolled around Tokyo for a while, before coming back to talk on various topics in the lobby. At last, feeling the long day, we went to sleep, excited in anticipation of a pure-tourism tomorrow.