What was the most impressive thing left in your mind after visiting Japan? Was it the food? Was it the great and stunning building? Was it their interesting style of fashion? All these answers are completely true and worth to remember, but above all, I would say their kindness was the most profound thing I’d love to bear in my heart.
I realized that since the first day I arrived in Japan, I was showered by the local people’s kindness. As I was travelling alone, I get lost so often. Each time I asked for direction to the citizen, they really tried their best to show me the way. It was not just once I asked the people who didn’t speak English well. At first, I thought they would just say sorry and leave me. But they didn’t. In fact, they looked even more worry than me who lost. They really tried their best to explain how to get to the place I intended to go in broken English. If they are not busy, they would kindly take me to the building I wanted to reach, or at least accompanied me until I came back to the right track. Was that all? Sure it was not.
I believe it is not just once we heard stories about lost and found thing in Japan. A story about a traveler who lost their belonging and miraculously the lost things are sent back to them. Those stories are so familiar in our ears. Therefore, those stories become so common. We aren’t amaze and our hearts aren’t touched anymore when he heard another lost and found heroic tale. As I read those kinds of stories, the same bored feeling also overcomes my mind. I began to doubt that kind of stories until I experienced it myself.
After travelling alone in Japan for four days, finally there was come the day when I should come back to Seoul, 4th July 2013. I was scheduled to take the first flight at 8 a.m. As I stayed in Asakusa area, I was advised to take the very first train at 5 a.m.so that I won’t miss my flight. Things were just okay at first, until I realized that my purse is not with me when I was about to purchase the train ticket. Instantly, I poured out all things which filled my bag but the purse was not there. My assumption at that moment was maybe I left my purse on the receptionist table. I am really sure that was the last time I took my purse from my bag, so maybe I forgot to bring it back after I returned the room card. To save time, I decided to borrow someone’s cellphone and called the hostel where I stayed. After a while, a Japanese guy appeared and I stopped him to ask his help. After listened to my explanation, kindly, he lent me his cellphone. Awfully, the receptionist told me that there was no purse left. Trapped in a dead end conversation, I returned the cellphone and thanked him. I told him to leave because I would search for my purse around the station.
Surprisingly, the guy waited for me. Knowing that I didn’t find my purse, he asked me what my next plan was. He personally suggested me to catch my flight. Nevertheless, I told him that I would like to find my purse instead of keep flying home. For me, finding my purse was more important as I could buy the next flight. Once more, I thanked him for his kindness and urged him to leave. Astonishingly he said, “Then, let’s find the purse together.”
Oppressed by the limited time, we both rushed and repeated the track I used from hostel to the station. In addition, he asked each person we met about my lost purse but no one saw it. As soon as we arrived in hostel, he helped me to find the missing purse inside and outside the hostel but it was not there. As we were walking out from hostel, hopelessly I told him that I had no more idea where to search. Then, he suggested checking at police offices around Asakusa area. Since there was no progress at all, I had to admit that I’ve lost my hope. Furthermore, I was so tired both mentally and physically. Profoundly, I was so touched by his determination to find my purse. He kept running and search for my purse even though he knew that I was about to give up.
Suddenly, I heard his voice shouted, “There is a purse here!” just as he reached the second police office. I ran to him immediately and checked the found purse. It was my purse. I turned out that I dropped it on my way to the station. The guy then told the police to shorten the regulation as I still had a flight to catch. Was that the end of the story? No, it wasn’t. No matter how I explained that I had let my flight go, he urged me to make the last attempt to catch my flight. He sent me to Ueno station by taxi and then directly purchased the express train ticket to airport. As he handed in the train ticket I had lost all my ability to think and to speak out. The only thing I could do was just whispered arigato and bowed down with tears running on my face.
Some people said I was just lucky enough at that moment as I found the right person to help me. The others said that I don’t need to be so touched, or cry as it is very normal to find the lost thing in Japan. Well, the main point here is not about the fact that my purse was finally found. One thing that inspires me is his effort and determination to help me finding the lost purse, just like all the people’s effort to help me when I am lost. All of them insisted to help until the problem is solved. In addition, even with the language barrier, they chose to stay when we faced a dead end and did not leave me behind until they are sure that I am okay. On the whole, these people help with their heart.
And now, alongside with the all the amazement in my head, a big regret also left. I wish, I know who the guy who helped me on that day. I had tried my best to find him but unfortunately all my attempt turned to failure. I hope someday, there will be a chance for me to show him my gratitude. I sincerely do. ***
Seoul, July 12th 2013
Putri Rindu Kinasih
English Literature Student of Bina Nusantara University Jakarta
Currently, granted a full scholarship in Dongguk University, Seoul, South Korea.
