My Commute To Asia- Japan Day 1

I promised myself that I would write everyday to keep a record of my journey through the East. Its been over 12 hours since I last spoke to anyone. Probably the first time that I’ve ever gone that long without any conversation. My life at home is too busy. Too many conversations, too many thoughts, and too much to do with very little time. I really must count my blessings to be allowed such an opportunity as this.

I have always prioritized personal growth and the universe thankfully has always provided. Of course in my many hours of silence, I noticed how tricky the mind is, how it reminisces on the comfort of home. How the very things that I chose to leave behind is what I miss most. I am an eighth Chinese and yet the most Asian out of everyone in my family. I feel like an explorer from ancient times, one that my great great grandchildren will read postcards that I once wrote on my travels.

I envision my current writings and collections becoming our heirlooms. I feel just like my great grandfather who bravely moved from Canton to the Dominican Republic, who had he not done that my life would not be the same. It didn’t hit me that I was finally embarking on my journey until I realized that I was on my 14th hour in commute and that I was indeed a long way from home. That it would probably be a long time before I hugged my boyfriend or mom again. That all I have currently are these very memories, of their smiles, scents, and laughs.

The strange thing with this trip is that I genuinely thought that I would experience intense culture shock, but instead its very similar to my first voyage to Asia I feel an uncanny peace about being here. Its similar to a déjà vu or past life experience. I’m a young girl traveling alone, in Japan for the first time, with very little research of where I’m going and almost no knowledge of the language. As an aficionado of languages, I feared this most.

On my flight pondering the fears I would experience, this barrier was at the top of my list. However, language is just a tool. It’s not dire to speak the same language to communicate. The eyes tell all, with a slight glare, or smile, they understand. I understand.

We all must take risks in life, leap head on into the uncertain. My name is Love2write, I am in Japan and have arrived just in time for the cherry blossoms.