A Redneck In Tokyo

By Karl Wiggers
Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation

“It just dawned on me that we’re walking through the streets of Tokyo right now, and I’m just a redneck from South Alabama.” 

That’s a simple statement of incredible realization. My roommate, Daniel Stephenson, pointed out the obvious last night as we were walking around trying to find a place for dinner. It was a small group of us -- Daniel and myself joined by Ashley Dupree, Trey Wiggers, and Randy Fair, an alumni of Class XIII.

We first walked a few blocks to the train terminal to find a steakhouse. There are a wealth of dinner options inside hubs like this. We spent thirty minutes looking for the specific restaurant, getting a thorough tour of the train terminal.

We eventually found our destination, thanks to a local barista. I checked that challenge of communicating with a local off of my list of things to accomplish on this trip. I did that thanks to our class MVP, Google Translate.

We decided against our initial plan after we finally found it. It wasn’t exactly our idea of a steakhouse. By our idea, I mean we weren’t really ready to branch out and try beef tongue and “discernible beef.” If you know what “discernible beef” is, please let us know.

It was then that we found ourselves walking back out along the street laughing about “discernible beef” when Daniel reminded us how crazy this scene was — a weed scientist (redneck), a lawyer, a beekeeper, a chemical salesman, and a journalist walking through the beautifully clean and frigid city of Tokyo.

We’re extremely fortunate for the opportunities and adventures this program has allowed us to experience. Yesterday alone, we were able to see a fish market known to sell million-dollar tuna and a huge wholesale market that sells 3600 tons of fruits and vegetables every day. That was before 9 a.m. We also visited a temple, the U.S. Embassy, an island lunch spot over Tokyo bay, and a strawberry farm with the best strawberries any of us have ever eaten (sorry Ms. Teri).

It’s been an incredible trip so far and we have much more to see. My goal for the rest of this trip is to keep the awe and perspective that Daniel reminded us of as we walked the streets of Tokyo: we’re in the middle of an awesome experience in a country across the ocean from home. There are many people who don’t get the chance to leave the area around where they’re born, much less two countries in one trip.  Truly, we are blessed.