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| Camile Humbles is currently
working as an Assitant Language Teacher inDaito,
approximately 30km south of Matsue. |
I often wonder why there is such a stigma
attached to living in a rural area. Frankly,
I find it difficult to see the upside to living
in a big city. Sure, the city has an abundance
of things to see and do - a world where you
are constantly reminded of the products and
places that would gladly take your money for
a brief period of entertainment. But, I have
to say, this is my definition of a vacation,
not a place for living.
These days, choices come to us at an alarming
rate - and they do not seem to be slowing down.
A person must know themselves well enough to
make the choice that is right for them. All
too often in America I see people who are not
prepared for the array of choices presented
to them on a daily basis. Living in a rural
area gives people time to get to know themselves
without the constant bombardment of choice after
choice.
Growing up in the city of Indianapolis, I had
brief glimpse to the life of country folk and
thought it rather quaint. Indiana is a far cry
from a big city but for our state it was what
I experienced. My traveling started after my
undergraduate degree. I signed up with the United
States Peace Corps to do development work overseas
and have been exploring the world ever since.
I have been to places like Morocco, Senegal,
Ireland, England, Germany and Greece. It wasn't
until I spent two years in rural Africa, with
the Peace Corps, that I realized the complete
peacefulness country living can give to a person.
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| Camille
in Mauritania, West Africa |
When I signed on with the Peace Corps I was
placed Serving as a Peace Corps Volunteer in
rural Mauritania, West Africa,. to be in a place
that existed without running water or electricity.
Until that time, camping had been the closest
this was only ever for a week at the most. Living
so far from telephones and TVs, I took the opportunity
to find out who I was and what I wanted out
of life. For me, the distractions of city living
were too much to handle and I found that taking
away some of my choices helped me to focus.
Shimane is similar in this respect. The opportunities
for distraction are few, giving you chance to
decide what distractions you most want to experience.
I consider it a vacation to plan a trip to the
big cities of Osaka or Hiroshima or Tokyo. Letting
yourself be bombarded with choices of places
to see and things to do. Then coming home to
reflect on your trip and anticipate the next
adventure. I am only a guest in this country
for a short time and I wish to take in all things
Japanese. In my town of Daito I have the opportunity
to see the rural side of Japan while also being
able see the lights of Tokyo. Shimane gives
you that rare look at Japanese life that would
not be possible in Tokyo.
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The Shimanean is a publication of the International
Affairs Division of Shimane Prefecture and the Shimane
International Center.
It may be sent free of charge to all interested parties.
Communications may be made to the editor, Tim Mansfield,
at:
Shimane International Center, Kunibiki Messe 2F,
1-2-1 Gakuen Minami, Matsue, Shimane 690-0826
TEL(0852)31-5056, FAX(0852)31-5055
EMAILtim_mansfield@sic-info.org WEBSITEhttp://www.sic-info.org
This newsletter and much of the Shimane International
Center's work is made possible by donations from many
companies and organizations including Shimane Prefecture,Chugoku
Electric Power Company Inc., Sanin Chuo Shimpo Newspaper
Co. Ltd., Sanin Godo Bank, Shimane Denko and Sanin
Chuo Television Broadcasting Company Ltd. and various
cities,towns and villages in Shimane Prefecture.
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