Relative Distances (Pt. I of IV)

Rvl's Pick:
Paparazzi - Lady Gaga

My visit to the land of the rising sun can somewhat be described with one word, " overwhelming". What began as a simple visit to family member, turned into one of the best travels of all my journeys.

I've set foot in many foreign soils and there are also places in which I've gone where if I were to point it out on a map, you wouldn't believe me. There aren't many places which manages to tickle my fancy but this place is one of the rare few.

I Japan, yes you still have the crazy mad rush of the usual Asian mentality in the city but at least the people are civilised. There are friendlier smiles and faces elsewhere but none such a place where a culture values honesty, privacy and honour more, this I believe.

I shall leave the story of Tokyo in part II or III but as for now I think I'll ramble more about the life in the countryside. I must say the only major changes which had happened in rural Japan since the time of swords and arrows is just pretty much the landscape. The mountains are still there, there's just more holes in them. The structures and homes are no longer wood and every once in awhile a train track passes along the scenery and that's about it. Oh and the tarmac roads of course. But the farms, the trees and most importantly, the laid back lifestyle of the people, lives on like nobody's business.

Rural Japan is just as peaceful as feudal Japan and this I absolutely love. It means I can come here in winter and enjoy quite conversations over dinner at night and head to the mountains for some snow action in during the day. And yes winter is the best time to visit northern parts of this country particularly after christmas.

Many different people come to this place and take back many different experiences from it. As for myself I took very fond memories of what used to be my family. Some places changes a person, some makes everything seems right if only for just a brief moment. Japan gave me a small glimpse of the past and directions to the future.

I remember whispering to myself after bidding goodbye to the kid sister at the airport before we left for home.

"I shall return"

-Sayonara-