A couple wearing masks walked under the vermilion Hozo-mon Gate

Couple wearing masks walking under the Hozo-mon Gate — Couple walking under the Hozo-mon Gate

Now, I don't even think twice about the fact that most people on the street are wearing masks. In the beginning, I felt uncomfortable that everyone I passed on the street wore masks, even though I myself wore masks, but now I even look at people when I see them without masks.

I felt the same way when I visited Myanmar. In Myanmar, men and women, young and old, walk around with pigments called "Thanaka" on their faces, and although Wikipedia says that Thanaka is a natural cosmetic, even middle-aged men and young boys apply it, so to say that it is just a cosmetic seems to be missing something. In any case, there are people with lots of pigment on their faces wandering around the streets. At first, I couldn't help but think it was strange that there were people here and there who were being punished, but as my stay in Myanmar became longer, I gradually stopped thinking about it, and finally I stopped thinking about it.

Familiarity is a terrible thing. Even if you feel something strange, it is difficult to keep feeling that strange feeling. The brain quickly becomes accustomed to the stimulus of discomfort.

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