My essay on finding the familiar in Japan at Metropolis

Why tulips in July?
Read the essay and find out.

Living in a foreign country is a ripe opportunity for seeing the differences in cultures. Most people relish and marvel at them, and it goes without saying that there are moments where all of us living as foreigners in a foreign land complain about them, too.

One of the things, though, that has struck me since the beginning are the similarities. I am often astounded and humbled by the fact that all mother's believe their children are geniuses, that all grandmothers have way too much stuff in their houses, and that all farmers are eager to share the stories behind the food they grow. I see it every day, and it puts the truth to what I previously thought was just a lame cliche: People are people.

So, here is my essay at Metropolis. Enjoy.