Category Archives: Thinking

The “Gaijin Nod”

Posted on January 25, 2011 by Eryk Salvaggio

A friend from Venezuela, when we were in Prague, had a habit of making a small nod with his head toward fellow South Americans. An African-American friend from Detroit had the same habit in Germany. “It’s the brother nod,” he … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture Shock, Thinking | 10 Comments

On Sumo | すもう

Posted on December 13, 2010 by Eryk Salvaggio

You could say that Sumo is “Japanese Wrestling.” But this would only be right if wrestling involved a Catholic Mass and the pretext that the cage match was to entertain Jesus. The Sumo Ceremony Like much of Japanese life, Sumo … Continue reading →

Posted in Shinto, Tradition | 4 Comments

On Taking a Bath in Japan | お風呂

Posted on October 29, 2010 by Eryk Salvaggio

If you are hot, or cold, go soak in a tub. Sitting in a cold bath with a 2 liter of Polcari Sweat after days of suits, airports and 92-degree humidity is euphoric. Now, the cicadas are all dead, the … Continue reading →

Posted in Shinto, Shrines | 10 Comments

On Teaching English as an Out of Body Experience | 英語は儚いです.

Posted on October 18, 2010 by Eryk Salvaggio

Language exists inside of our skulls and escapes through the tongue: What Nabokov called “A fat sleek seal flopping so happily among the familiar rocks.” It’s a chunk of flesh that helps us push ideas out from our squishy insides … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture Shock, Teaching, Thinking, Uncategorized | 3 Comments