Once foreigners move to Japan, they take on a new image -- that of international traveler. Friends back home start describing you as "worldly," and suddenly you are an authority on all things global.
But to be a true international traveler, I think you have to have lost your passport, money and other valuables (or had them all stolen) at least once. If you travel enough, it's bound to happen sometime.
On my last trip outside Japan, I found myself in this position when I looked down and suddenly realized my passport and all my valuables were gone. Since I had never lost anything in 20 years of international travel, I guess I shouldn't have been surprised when it finally did happen. Actually, I think my stuff just got tired of me and left. My credit cards were worn. My passport was about to expire and was faced with living out its retired life in a drawer. No wonder they decided to bail.
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