Back from Japan

After two weeks of living on one bowl of Soba noodles a day I have returned from Japan to Antigua. I have to say that, although Japan is a great country of all the places I've been it's my least favorite. I guess I had to find some country that I didn't love at some point. The people of Japan are quite courteous but I wouldn't go so far as to say they are friendly. Of course, the Japanese are not known for their outgoing nature. I felt like such an outsider. Many people love Japan. Some of the greatest travelers in the world are fascinated with Japan and I feel like I should love it too, but I don't unfortunately.

Japan was incredibly expensive as well. I found ways to live below my means, but it wasn't easy for me I must admit. Usually, I consider myself a savvy traveler but traveling in Japan was not particularly enjoyable for me. Obviously, the difficulty in communication was the biggest factor for me. I still think I would have enjoyed going to India or Thailand better and plan to go still someday. But until then, I have accomplished my goal of 6 continents before I turn 25 and I guess that I can at least be proud of that.

Lost On The Tokyo Subway

Kyoto

Kyoto was an absolutely beautiful city! I only had the opportunity to explore the city one day out of the three days I was there thanks to the rain. As an added bonus the cherry blossoms were just beginning to bloom while I was there!

I visited about ten temples and shrines and by the end of the day I was all templed out. I also manage to spot four geishas. Sometimes I would see them far off into the distance and try to follow them only for them to quickly slip off into an alleyway before I could catch them. Much of the time I felt like I was on a geisha safari!

Tokyo From My Hotel Room

Japan vs. India

I've been sick for the past week and have been taking antibiotics but it's taken me a long time to admit that I am actually ill. I hate being ill because I always tell myself that I am not actually hurting but really just lazy. I have been trudging along at work doubled over in pain, but a part of me still thinks that I should buck up and just work harder. For some reason, I always feel guilty that I am sick and today I have constantly apologized to my coworkers for being so slow and miserable to be around. Actually, I think they are no longer sympathetic but rather annoyed at my apologizing so much. I just feel like I'm letting them down. But I started thinking that, if I am in fact just lazy or beginning to dislike my job, my sickness is just a physical manifestation of my unhappiness. I hope not. I know that I have a great job and love my coworkers. Work is horribly mundane though and I'm longing for some excitement.

Once again, I think am beginning to feel the itch. I hate and love the itch all at the same time. The itch keeps me on my toes. The itch tells me lies though. It tells me that I don't want to be where I am that I would be happier somewhere else. I would be happy if I were on a plane heading to some country where I don't know anyone or the language. It says that I should settle down in a house of my own. It says I deserve to be paid more. It says basically I have to keep on moving.

I've been thinking (again) that I'm going to go to Japan instead of India. I have my vacation coming up and I found a great deal from Expedia leaving from Antigua to Tokyo for only $900. It's perfect to get away and I think I'm gonna go for my birthday. I would love to see a Geisha. And I've always wanted to go to Japan. Yup. That's what I'm going to do. Until I change my mind next week. Happy Birthday to me!!!