Written by: Prim. mr. sc. dr. Alija Aginčić

For plastic and cosmetic surgeons, October is a very dynamic month. In Munich, organized by  dr. Milomir Ninkovic from Sarajevo , a large symposium reconstructive surgery is held in the period from 19 to 22 October. A day later, from October 23 to 27, Japanese city Kyoto hosted the Congress of the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ISAPS).

INTEGRATED KINDNESS

Considering that dr.Ninković and I often see  each other and exchange experiences, this time I decided to travel to Japan. Also, as the Secretary General of ISAPS for Bosnia and Herzegovina, it was desirable to appear at the event, which brings together plastic surgeons from around the world. Thanks to my savings and with the support of friends and several medical houses, the financial construction has been successfully closed. It turned out that I was the only surgeon in BiH in Japan, and from the Balkan region there were only five colleagues from Serbia.

The trip from Sarajevo led to Istanbul, then to Osaka, then used a  "slow"  Japanese train to get to Kyoto, and then to the hotel that was not far from the congress center. Although I can't say I'm one of those who have seen the whole world, I can rightly say that I have seen quite a lot from Europe and North and South America. But the fact that Japan is something special and fascinating  was very clear already after landing in Osaka. Structure, purity, diligence, honesty, and virtually non-existence of crime, in spite of the stalemate crowds, is just a part of words that Japanese society can be described by,  these were real impressions are gained during a few days of stay and in pauses between professional lectures.

The main reason for the coming is certainly the Congress, which is an opportunity to hear experiences from all over the world, from which surgeons gave a lot of "profits", but my profession is certainly not a story for this reportage. Of course, as someone who is there for the first time, you are obligated to often ask passers-by for some help. Although it can not be said that their English is very good, if it is a measure, my experience has shown that Japanese people speaks English better than, say, the Italians. In any case, the weak word fund is compensated by unprecedented interaction and the desire to help you. Regardless of whether it's a store, a restaurant, or a street, everyone is constantly bowing, pulling backwards, and not minding them to turn you their back. Such kindness almost becomes unpleasant to you, but at some point, even myself, as someone from a completely different culture and mentality, I realized that it is something that a person can quickly become accustomed to and want to live in such a society. Because of this, the first, and probably the only  word that you will learn in Japanese is "arigato" (thank you), because this is something that you often repeat. The Japanese usually do not have the custom to shake hands because they consider it somehow unhygienic, but if you give them a hand, they will never refuse a hand shake because it is offensive.

CLEANING WHILE WAITING FOR PUBLIC TRANSPORT

Many say that the Japanese work all day. Even if it is true, it's beautiful to work in such an atmosphere. I do not doubt that they are troubled by various problems, but in those days I have not been able to detect them. The absence of any gamma, regardless of the high frequency, is something that is sure good  to the ears habituated to noise of every kind.

 Japanese tradition is of great importance, which is observed very quickly. Girls walking in the city in a traditional kimonos are a common sight. Even the General Secretary of the Association sometimes appeared at the Congress in kimono. Of course,  Japan was not spared from the impact of Western culture. Especially young people. Leather jackets, colored hair in bright colors represent some other extreme of Japanese society, but this unusual mix is somehow very well fitted. And, most importantly, it works perfectly.

One of the most unusual things I've noticed, during short "excursions" between congress events, are brooms located on bus and metro stations. Broom, by itself, is of course not a miracle, but when you see business people in the departments, students, the elderly, and the young- they take the broom, they clean the environment a little, and then enter into the transporting means that comes in time, you are a little confused. When I asked, they told me that the Japanese consider it an honor to clear around and do something for the common good. One evening I even saw on TV that they learn that already at the age of three or four. When asked why, you'll get a simple answer: How will the Kyoto be clean if the children do not learn from an early age. Therefore it is not surprising that the small stream that runs through Kyoto, a million city, is so clean that is actually drinkable.

HIGH PRICES, SMALL PORTIONS

 What you are probably most interested in are the prices that are certainly higher than in BiH. First and foremost, it should be noted that taxi-transport is relatively acceptable, which is of course always important when you are a tourist. Everyone drives some old-style Toyotas that you won't see on our roads, but they look like they just left the factory. Steering wheels are on the right side, all cars are automatic and run on petrol engines. There is no tips. They are not left to waitresses and they will usually return them even if you give them. There is no word about trying to cheat you. Scam and stealing them is simply not in the mental framework. Chocolates in stores range from two euros upwards, while beer is 1.5 to two euros. Higher than ours, but not drastically.

Dinners on which we went in restaurants were mostly paid by organizers. On several occasions, dinners for congressional guests were also held by representatives of various medical equipment. These were mostly "fancy" restaurants where dinners are about a thousand marks per person. Despite such high prices, it is difficult for the average Bosnian to get full from it. According to the "gauges," I was the biggest surgeon in Kyoto, so everyone gathered around me like I am Gulliver, so I was not even trying to eat.

To illustrate, one evening we ate beef steak made in Japanese way, cooked at 58 degrees Celsius, marinated, flushing with special juice, made of rice and chocolate. It's delicious, but it's a size like a bigger diamond. And sushi is obligatory on the menu, and you get two, three pieces on every plate.

Most of the time we eat at Congress itself because we spent most of our time there. We got lunch packages that were sorted out for  vegetarians and those who eat meat. These are things that are included in the price of the registration as well as the unlimited amount of coffee and tea. Entrance to the Congress Center was not possible without proper accreditation, which was controlled by sympathetic security guards dressed in turquoise green uniforms, endlessly polite and very talented.

SURGICAL MASKS

Interestingly, the  half of the population wears surgical masks, but I have not managed to find out whether it is because of the fear that they will get infected, that they do not infect somebody or the pollution of the air.

It is widely known that Japan is the country of the most advanced technology, and we were convinced when we entered the tech store where we were greeted by a robot with a tablet in "hands" in which you typed what you are interested in, after which it leads you through the store.

Japan is truly a perfectly organized country and something unseen. Probably, therefore, God put them on the island and isolated them from the rest of the world. In any case, this may have been a rushed, but also an unforgettable experience.

Arigato Kyoto, once again.