Lost in Translation

In 2002 and 2003 I went to Japan 3 times . I learnt some rudiments of Japanese. That was quite handy at times as only a few people spoke English over there.

During one of my trips I was in Osaka and on my way to the railway station to catch a bullet train to Nagasaki. The hotel was minutes away from the station and I had decided to visit the neighborhood before departing. So there I was with my heavy backpack braving the crowd and avoiding the bikes (or were the bikes weaving around me ?), when I realised I had really to head for the station. I did have a map but in English, and most of the street signs where in Japanese characters. « Come on Ben », I thought, « remember your Japanese lessons and translate ! » Well ! Easier said that done ! Ah ! then came to my mind a tip I read in a guide book : « if you get lost in a City, go to find a policeman and show him your map ». I actually spoted a policeman across the street. I went to him and did as advised. He bowed to me and before I could even utter a word he pointed to me the nearest tourist attraction. I bowed back and thanked him. Tip # 2 : « don’t argue with anybody, always be grateful even if the person at the other end of the conversation misleads you ! »

By then I was begining to panic. I had booked on a train and someone was actually expecting me at the other end. I will spare you with the details of how complicated it would have been to change the ticket and to contact my host to be, in Nagasaki. All those people around me were probably thinking that I was a mad man, because in Japan, even if you have nothing to do you always have to be on the move, to look like you’re preoccupied and busy. And I was standing there, in the middle of a crossroad, my bagpack atrociously heavy…

Then a miracle occcured. A gentleman appeared from nowhere asking me in perfect English if he could be of any help. I explained my predicament and very kindly he walked with me to the station which was just 200 yards away. I bowed very low and thanked him profusely. He bowed back even lower and wished me a good trip to Nagasaki.

Song from « Looking everywhere » by Gershwin

Looking everywhere, haven’t found it yet

You’re the big affair I cannot forget

Only place I’ll ever think with regret

I’d like to be in Osaaka again

Tell me, where is the station for this lost lamb.

There’s a somebody I’m longing to see

I hope that he, turns out to be

Someone who’ll show me the path

I’m a little lamb who’s lost in Osaka

I know I could, always be good

To one who’ll watch over me

Although he may not be the man

Some boys think of as helpfull

To my heart he carries the map

Won’t you tell him please to show me the way

Follow the tracks,

Oh, how I need someone to get me on this train

Someone to drive me to Nagasaki…