What do we do all day?
We have been fascinated by the stark contrast in the culture between Japan, France, and any other place we have ever lived or visited. As a group, we’ve constructed a long list of quirks, rituals, oddities and cultural differences since our arrival, from the obvious to the subtle. (More on that later from the kidoos)
Here is the starting point for this section, which will overlay our entire journey.
The teacher constructed a large matrix of categories of culture, in which the kids observe and categorize their findings.
This will provide the framework for comparing and contrasting the variation across the destinations we inhabit. From food, religion, music, manners…the list is daunting. And fun.
The object is to photograph, or video, or write about, or speak to these differences, and ask why?And how? And what they mean.
And importantly, what’s the best parts…perhaps the shortcomings…the meanings…and how they themselves relate to other cultures. How might others observe us? Finally, how do each of us fit in, and relate to one another in the larger context of this world, seemingly so big…yet so small?
Let me finish by noting, like as not, the kids and we adults are acutely aware of the fact that we wear the “Trump banner.” Interesting times and questions arise from everywhere we go.
Sunglasses help.