W: Hi, how are you? M: Fine. W: What's your name? M: My name is Minami. W: Nice to meet you. Minami, where are you from? M: I'm coming from Japan. Kanagawa. W: Is that near Tokyo? M: Yeah, the down (south) side of Tokyo. W: How old are you Minami? M: Now, 25. W: What do you do in Japan? Do you work or a student? M: Yeah, but now I quit (my) job and coming to travel, and did one year and two months. W: Wow, that's a long trip. One year and two months. Was that expensive? M: No, because I've been to India and Nepal and Thailand. It's (they're) not expensive countries, it's (they're) cheap countries, yeah. W: So One year and two months. Where did you go? India, Nepal... M: And Thailand. That's it. W: Well that's good!
I really feel like, If everyone in the world could spend a year traveling in different countries... experiencing different cultures... It would help make the world a better place. The things we learn, and share, and bring back with us, are so important, and in the end, help us better understand ourselves. And I think, help us better understand the world.
W: So you were studying Indian flute? M: Yes. W: Like bamboo flute. M: Yes, bamboo flute W: Nice. Did you study flute in Japan... like Japanese bamboo flute? M: No, No, this is the first time, yeah. W: Is it difficult to learn? M: Yeah, at first it was very difficult, but now practice, practice... and keep learning and coming, coming. It's a lot of fun.
W: So one year and two months. Where did you go? India, Nepal... M: And Thailand. That's it. W: Yeah, but that's good. Which place do you really remember? Like wow, this place was fantastic. M: It's... I think Nepal. I say the Himalaya mountain. It's beautiful and too much big, high. Amazing place, and India also. Banares, Varanasi. I was learning flute in Varanasi, that's why I like it. Holy place. W: Was it difficult to travel alone, as a girl, in India and Nepal. M: No, it's not difficult, yeah, Because many people help me. Local people and travelers also, yeah. W: Did you have any bad experiences while you were traveling? M: Umm, no. Everything is a good experience for me... positive.