japanese tranquility?

so the little old train i ride everyday has become very popular these days. primarily because in about 4 months it will sadly stop running forever. there are all kinds of `hitachi dentetsu` memorablia for sale like t-shirts and mugs, and different photographers on board snapping away every weekend. ayukawa, the station i get on at, is the start/end of the line so they usually begin/end their photo shoot there. last weekend i was on the train and one of these photographers, after snapping a lot of pictures of the outside of the train, turned his lens towards me and stole a few shots. i actually found it more amusing than annoying, and even struck a good passenger-waiting-for-the-train-to-pull-off pose. i dont think i would have been so good-spirited if i were on the T or using septa.

or maybe i`ve just become a lot more patient and calm over the past almost 3 months...something about this place is affecting me positively. besides when i`m reading BBC news articles, i cant remember the last time i was really angry or upset or even annoyed, and it`s not like i havent had the chance to be (several times a week in fact)...it`s hard being a foreigner and even harder because i`m living on my own.

it`s a bit ironic though. in the past ive had these phases where i would be on some mission to become more compassionate and forgiving, and less agitated and angry but they never lasted very long and i never made much progress no matter how many dalai lama books i read. now, when i`m in a foreign environment far from familar faces, full of strangers, a place and situation where it`s much more understandable that i`d be frustrated, upset, annoyed while trying to survive in a foreign country, culture, and language, ive somehow managed to develop a more compassionate, patient heart without even trying to. i guess it doesnt really matter why or how or when; i just hope it isnt a phase. and if it really is just the difference in culture/religion, it`s too bad that i have yet to find this kind of tranquility among americans. hmmm maybe this is all just post-mit happiness ;)