When stories were coming out last week that Tokyo was becoming a ghost city, I was a bit alarmed because I am personally a big fan of the city! I was able to go to Tokyo to attend a Harvard Conference a few years ago and I fell in love with the city almost immediately.
What struck me most was how well-developed the city was considering it was in ruins just 60 years ago. Yes, I am comparing it to my Manila! We are so primitive compared to this city with a million lights and with so much hustle and bustle!
And the people are so nice and helpful! They don't speak English, but they try, in the best way they can - in the little English they know, to help you find your way, to assist you as you buy stuff in the vendo machines - to make your experience of their beautiful city - a memorable one!
Finally, they have a very strong sense of culture! There are just so many Japanese icons and I bought myself a trunkful of souvenirs - and what made me happy was that these souvenirs were of very good quality! From sumo wrestlers to ninjas to kimonos to paintings - I made sure my loot was complete. I even had Meiji chocolates - a personal favorite of mine!
I believe Tokyo, and Japan, as a whole will stand back on its feet again. They have the value system for it.
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