Upon arriving in Japan yesterday evening, our group was told to reflect on the question, "What do we hope to get from our trip?" To even begin to tackle a response, my mind immediately jumped to the question, "Why did I even want to go on this trip anyway?" That answer is simple. I came for love.
When I was young, my father served for the United States, Marines. He spent a lot of time in Asia in his military days. He visited the country of Japan 15 years ago, and brought back a love of Japanese culture to his impressionable 4 year old daughter. As a result, my sisters and I played Totoro and Kiki's Delivery Service on repeat, as we played with our dolls, pretending they were Japanese girls. I kid you not. Japan has been a huge part of my life for so long that my life might have felt incomplete without visiting the country for myself.
I came to fall in love with the scenery, the architecture, the people (cute boys ahem ahem) and of course the food. I came because I wanted to find out if the connection I've felt to Japan my whole life was genuine.
So, as far as what's I hope to get out of this trip... More love! I never want my infatuation with this country to end. What makes this experience even better, is that I get to share it with people who appreciate and respect this country and it's customs as much as I do. As we talked and laughed over dinner tonight, I already felt the love I was hoping for. On the first day too! It will only get better from here.
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