The fun started in the ice bath after I finished my workout. I don't know yet how they make ice baths in outher countries outside of the US, but I learned today that in Japan, they freeze the hell of out them!! So I'm standing in the traditional silver, trash-can sized container, freezing like crazy (I was only up to about mid-thigh in water too, because there was NO WAY I was going to submerge my whole waist like I usually do in Wake's ice baths). It was so cold that I couldn't help giving voice to some slightly aggravated yelps, just to make myself feel better. This attracted the attention of several well-meaning Japanese physios. A group of them immediately rushed over to me, probably thinking I was bleeding to death or had fractured a femur or something equally terrible. After they realized it was just a more-or-less involuntary reaction to their ungodly cold ice bath, they kindly stuck around to keep me company (further proof of the unfaltering friendliness and politeness of the Japanese).
As a result, this ice bath transformed into one of the most educational ten-minute periods of my life. I mastered how to say "I like Japan" (Watashi ha nihon ga suki) and Very cold, and Hot, and I am a runner. At this point, I've forgotten all but the first phrase; however, one of the Japanese physios was also kind enough to write down the english translation on a piece of paper - which when connected to the spoken sounds helps immensely for learning the language!!
Although this entry is becoming longer than I thought, I can't leave out my interaction with a second wave of foreign physios. I passed the 40 minute bus ride home from the track by chatting with two physios from Belgium (their native language is French but thankfully they could also communicate pretty well in English). They brought me up to date on the political situation in Belgium these days, and the fact that the country is pretty significantly split between the French-speaking side and the Dutch-speaking crew, with a corps of German speakers still makng their presence known as well. Apparently, they've been without a true government for about 70 days now because no one can reconcile who should be in charge of the country.
To sum it up, these sorts of unplanned cultural exchanges are one of my favorite parts of the entire meet experience. I am absolutely enchanted that there are so many opportunities to talk with people from all over the world. I so enjoy trying to understand them and where they're coming from - first linguistically, then literally, and finally, psychologically. It really really really makes me want to study more languages too!!
I think that's about enough for right now - time to get a quick massage and then watch track on TV!!
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