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TOKYO | Wake up in..
Tuesday, April 05, 2016
Tokyo: A dream of many and a dream come true for me. The intensity of this city is overwhelming but so impressive. It was surreal to be there. Plus, it was my first time actually traveling and surviving on my own. But I loved it. This was what I'd always dreamed of. Just strolling around the city on my own. And I couldn't believe I was able to go there and soak up this city.
My first day in Japan was spend in Tokyo. After a long night at Incheon airport (Korea), being totally K.O. in the airplane for the 2 hour flight, I was about to make the most of my first day in Tokyo before I'd head to Kyoto (THAT NIGHT) for a few days, and come back. That was a long ass sentence, but that was pretty much the stressy planning I made for myself. For archives' sake, this post will only show Tokyo..
Japan is amazing. The people are so nice and almost everybody speaks English, or at least tries to, and they are eager to help me. They won't run away from embarrassment because their English is not their first language. I had experienced differently in Korea. Couldn't believe, Couldn't comprehend that this was real. I WAS IN JAPAN.
I've always been impressed by skylines and overviews of the city. Even if I look at big buildings and city lights, I sometimes remind myself that in every lighted room I see, there is at least one person living and experiencing their life with the intensity as I live mine. Is that weird to think about? No, I'm not high. I'm fascinated.
Yes, that's right. This is the notorious Shinjuku crossing. I swear, I must have walked here for at least 25 times, just because. Because I could and because I was just impressed how people navigate themselves through the masses like it's the most normal thing in the world. Meanwhile, I'm here being such a tourist, stopping at the wrong moments, probably blocking so many people while I try to get across the other side.
I wasn't the only one of my friends in Seoul that traveled to other places before going home. I'm sure you've seen these pretty girls in my previous posts. These were my Thai classmates. I loved saying my goodbyes in the Tokyo setting before we seperated ways. And of course we did the most Japanese thing we could do and we secretly loved to do. I love the thought of having places to visit because I actually know special people in those places.
My trip to japan was the first trip that I made on my own. I dont coun't Seoul as my first trip alone, because I've met amazing people there - plus most of my time was spent with them, even though I still did go out a lot on my own. I didnt really know what to expect when traveling solo. Normally I go out the door quite often by myself and I enjoy that a lot as well, but this would be me, solo, in another country, in a new environment. (Yes another long ass sentence - If you didn't know yet: share all the sidenotes in the same sentencce. Commas are my friends. -Those stripy things too-) I didn't know what to expect and here and I thought I'd feel uncomfortable, because I would have no one to talk to during the day. But I sincerely recommend everyone to travel alone. I dont think age really matters in that sense. Obviously you cant be too young (as in "my parents pay everything for me") or too old (as in elderly "can barely walk" old). As long as you have a certain amount of organizational skills, responsibility, social skills, intercultural communication skills and research, you should be fine. Sounds like a lot but I believe everyone grows into these skills while they are brought up.
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| Map, check. Camera, check. Certified tourist. |
Even though being here had been a dream of mine, being alone here changed my perspective on those dreams. Don't get me wrong, I regret nothing and I absolutely enjoyed my trip. But I really felt strongly as if my dreams were increasing. See, I used to be that person that thought she was a "world citizen", not caring where she'd end up. This trip defenitely confirmed in me that home IS truly where my heart is. Also where my "normal" is. I'm saying this meaning that The Netherlands is where I've been born and raised, realizing that it's a place where things are "normal/logical" to me whether it concerns cultural, social and political systems. Not all of it, but most of it. But above all, it's defenitely the place where my heart is because all my loved ones are there. And that's what truly make my home. So yeah, I still dream of traveling, but I'd rather share it with loved ones while I'm at it.
I can appreciate Japanese street style, and the ambition for people to express their individuality in fashion. It's totally different from the general business culture though, where everyone literally wears the same suit.
I also had the opportunity to take a dance class at Endance Studio. I freakin' loved it and was overwhelmed by the level of these KIDS. I'm saying kids because they looked like they were in their teens. Dance classes to me are like battlefields where you constantly try to get the best out of your movement as someone shares their art. Sometimes you go down in flames, but you always leave inspired to be a better you.
They also have overloads of different neighborhoods and things to do and visit. Akihabara, is the "gadget and electronic" neighborhood of Tokyo. Big screens, anime, games and toys where-ever you look. And boy, do they sell.
You know you have good chicken/meat if you have a waiting line of 3.5 hours. It was Christmas time, and even though Japanese people don't really "celebrate" Christmas as we do with a capital C(hrist), they still celebrate. I've heard Christmas was considered even more of a "couples" day. Didn't spot any santa clauses or other christmassy creatures: I literally spotted 1 Christmas tree at a mall.
I also loved Japan (as a solo traveler) for their culture of being able to eat alone. It was one of my fears after leaving Korea, where hardly anyone eats alone. Japan has so many bar-type restaurants where you sit in a row at a table, facing the wall. Might not be the most cosy setting, but for me as a solo traveler, it was the most convenient thing. This sushi place was totally digitized. After you pick your sushi order on the screen, it was send to you on this little plate. It's like the automated trains, but with food. I need this. At home. Forever.
Stay tuned for my next stop!
Nina
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