How do you know when you've fallen in love?
How do you know it is the one? Is there a certain criteria? Or you just know, when you're there.
Disclaimer, this is a travel blog and not your extra-ordinary love story..that would be the subject of another blog....or not. Haha. 😂
But honestly, how do you fall in love with a place? Do you dream about it? Did someone have to tell you? or watched it from a love story or horror movie that you can't seem to forget. How can something be etched in your brain? What makes it tick? What makes it special?
Japan is not a place or a country in my bucket list. I always thought that my past life or memory links me to Europe, and castles and queens and history. Of all the cities and places I loved, most of them were in Italy. I managed to travel with another fellow travel queen and before COVID19 hit the world. But that would be the subject of another story - in a series!
My first trip to Japan dates back as far as 2005 and it was a work-related trip. To be honest, the only thing I remembered was going to Toys r us to buy my son's toy train as part of his collection. Like any business trip, it was short so there's really no time to explore.
But one's thing for sure, it is not hard to be in awe with how the Japanese were very respectful and disciplined. That's NUMBER ONE. There's that first look, a smile, and a bow - a single greeting that will make you smile. 😊 And you just slowly bid goodbye, as though you were meant to cross each other's path again.. somewhere, somehow. They say the people make up a country and it will show how you are as a culture, as a nation. And the value of respect definitely makes them who they are.
Life got busy, things changed and suddenly transported to another place and time to settle to another country. Zoom in nearly 4 years after and I found myself joining a Japanese company - was that something meant to be? Two months settling in and there it is..I was told to go - another time travel. It didn't disappoint going back to the place .
Finally, time to explore what it has to offer - FOOD 🥘. That's NUMBER TWO. How can you not? Need I say more? Check out some of my old posts (Belly Satisfying Food Trip of Japanese Traditional Dishes and Tasting the real deal - Kobe beef) on what the country has to offer. Japanese food is definitely one of my favourite - I think I can eat one every day.
What's NUMBER THREE? Culture and amazing places to explore. All my family's recent trips have been to Japan - Osaka, Nagoya, Tokyo. Not a single one disappoints. Too many things to absorb, memories to fill and adventures to keep. Magnificent castles and history to boot.
You can explore your inner child and enjoy Tokyo Disneyland and Disney Sea , Universal Studios in Osaka (Harry Potter obsessive fan here!) and Legoland in Nagoya...I promise to write how amazing each city is and how best to explore them and plan your itinerary - train rides and all.
FOUR scores amazing mysteries of authentic and quality finds - from high end shops to knick knacks, vintage shops and street finds. Who doesn't fall in love with shopping? Men! I know!
And finally number FIVE - the PEOPLE (not to be biased just because I work in a Japanese company). But when you travel to Japan, no one hesitates to help. They're funny - especially when they have too much to drink 😁, they listen attentively to every story and also very generous. In fact, one of my male closest friend - we refer to each other as "bestie" (short for best friend) is a Japanese. Our friendship lifts and supports us in time of need. Miles away but the friendship remains. And that could be the mystery as well - not expecting anything in return but just pure empathy and care.
I could go on and on why there's this mystery of love of Japan for me. Not because I have something to write. Perhaps not being able to travel for the last 18 months made me terribly missed going there. I know there's much more to know, explore and the love will certainly not fade.
Maybe because of what I felt when I always go back, it is a safe space for me. Like home, I can be me.
How about you? How do you fall in love with a place?
Listening to Sufjan Steven's Mystery of Love while writing this...what are the odds?
Arigato Gosaimasu! Aishitemasu...
Stay safe, travel queens!
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