FUK > ICN > ATL > CHS
Here are the snapshots of my +32 hours of traveling with lounge access . . .
The process of coming back . . .
Monday, February 26th – Yahatanishi-ku Ward Office visit to sign formal change of address
Tuesday, February 27th – multiple goodbyes & last minute packing/cleaning
Thursday, March 1st – last full day in Japan [Hakata Station, Ohorikoen, 7-11, Dean & Deluca]
Friday, March 2nd – early morning flight from Fukuoka International Airport [FUK > ICN > ATL > CHS]
Saturday, March 3rd - arrive to Charleston International Airport
I'm back . . .
Sunday, March 4th - explore Charleston, South Carolina, USA
Monday, March 5th - drive to Destin, Florida, USA and unpack
Now what . . . ?
This past week has been far from blurry. I’ve been hyper-focused on my return stateside. Leaving Japan is much more difficult than coming here in the first place. There’s paperwork, ward office visits, pension forms, and specific ways to dispose of trash. The list goes on and on.
And let’s not forget the goodbyes and ‘this will be my last time to do this/have this/see this’ moments. I think that those are the most difficult. I know I say that I’ll come back for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, but will I really? I believe that I will, but it’s not guaranteed.
As we all know, life happens . . . some things are out of your control . . . plans change.
With that being said, I’m going to do everything possible to return. I’ve already marked my calendar and added it to my budget. I’m planning for it.
There’s so much I want to say about my last week in Japan, but I think that if I start writing about it all, I’ll drown my laptop in tears. I’m also sitting in the Matina Lounge at Seoul Incheon International Airport as I write this, and I don’t want to ugly cry in front of the other travelers.
So here are my shorthand notes in no specific order:
Something borrowed – a pearl pin as a gift; chopsticks for my future; a lucky charm; polaroid pictures – instant memories; Japanese paperwork and romaji writing; one last 10k at Ohoriokoen; true en (good timing); Mikaera; 7-11 ATMs and SlowBar; Montan Hostel and inspired design; a new friend and refreshing conversation; all black UNIQLO; アイス コーヒー; picture perfect moments; guarded conversation turning into honest conversation; taxi rides; Nihongo hanashimasu; feeling like a princess; and an aside comment turning into something real and something I’ll never forget.
In this past week I’ve laughed hard, cried a little, been in the moment, let myself relish in past memories, and been truly surprised. This week has been more than I could have ever asked for – honestly.
And even though I’m returning stateside, it doesn’t mean that my Journey through Japan is ending. Like I said before, Japan has changed me and shaped in ways that are unknown to me yet. There’s still so much I have to discover.
So for now, I’ll gather my thoughts and share one last post on what it’s like to be back. After that, I’ll press pause on Journey through Japan and hopefully resume once I make the 2020 Tokyo Olympics trip my reality.
Until then . . .
XOXO,
M
