Dear Diary, 

I'm strolling down the bustling streets of Shibuya, totally lost in the neon-lit wonderland that is Tokyo. And then bam! There they are – these mesmerizing blue traffic lights, casting this ethereal glow over everything. It's like I've been transported to some sort of cyberpunk dreamland. I texted Qu and asked, “what's the deal with these blue lights?” Turns out, these captivating blue traffic lights aren't just there to make Tokyo look like it's from the future. Instead of distinguishing between green and blue as separate colors, Japanese speakers often used the term "aoi" to encompass what English speakers would consider both green and blue.

Now, I know what you're thinking - how on earth does that work? You see, in the wonderful world of Japanese language and culture, there is the ancient word "aoi," which encompasses not only what we Westerners would classify as shades of blue, but also certain shades of green. Japanese now use ‘midori’ specifically for green, but the old usage of ‘aoi’ influenced the color of some traffic lights.

I mean, green has always been the universal symbol for “Go,” right? But nope, not in Japan. They’re out here with their blue lights, throwing me off my game. But you know what? I kinda dig it. It’s like Japan’s way of keeping me on my toes, reminding me that the world is full of surprises and that I shouldn’t get too comfortable in my bubble. Plus, blue is my favorite color, so maybe I’ll just pretend those traffic lights are winking at me, like, Hey, keep being you, Maria.

I can't help but marvel at the sheer brilliance and complexity of Japanese language and culture. From their awe-inspiring blue lights to their mind-bending linguistic nuances, there's never a dull moment in this Land of the Rising Sun. And who knows what other delightful surprises await me on my journey through this fascinating country?

Xoxo, 

Maria