The World Is Your Oyster

Kim's Travel Blog #FindYourPearls

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SUMMER SHENANNIGANS: THE CRAZY CIRCUS

LET’S CLOWN AROUND, press pause on life and take a moment to turn that frown upside down!!!

 Most of you are aware of the torturous heatwave that Japan experienced this summer. Honestly, it was hard to not just stay indoors chilled at a cool range between 18 °C to 20 °C compliments of lovely AC cooling. But what do you do once you are all NETFLIXed out! Boredom kicks in and then what? Well, you get out the house and do something fun of course! It’s summer after all!

Life is about creating memories and new experiences. So when our Japanese friend suggested trading in our Sunday Funday kickboxing for a day at the circus, we were more than willing to hop on board.

 The circus seems to be an annual event that rolls around every summer. It’s a great family outing as I saw many children jumping around with excitement. And I’m sure the adults were jumping around with excitement too…but on the inside! Most of the summer events I have attended were swarmed with large crowds. I’m not sure if event reminders are published in the newspaper, if social media is highly utilized or if it is all by word of mouth. Whatever medium is used though, it is highly effective. You’re almost sure to be greeted with long lines at every event. In my view, this is very commendable as it’s a clear sign of how Japanese are very supportive of local events.

Lights, camera, action! From the very start, pumping music captivated us, making us grip the edge of our seats with suspense. The intro number pulsated with pomp, smiles and choreography. Each move was performed to perfection, a clear sign of the relentless practice that probably goes into such a huge undertaking; quite parallel to the Japanese work culture where there is actually a very literal expression for “work to death”, Karōshi (過労死). But no worries! There were no casualties at the circus, just a really entertaining show!

The first act was aerial dancing. It was really mesmerizing to watch the duo swirl in the air with such grace and poise.

Things began to heat up in the next performance. Not literally…we anticipated a bit of discomfort in the tent because of the humidity but the organizers were very proactive in placing cool breeze fans below the stands. Can I get an AMEN for such saving grace in that 35°C weather?

 But in all seriousness, the following acts heated up the stage with daring and dangerous routines! The most outstanding ones were the bikers defying gravity in a gigantic funnel and also a huge windmill contraption that they flew around in with acrobatic moves. Albeit, the possibility of a few broken bones, being a part of the circus has to be the best job ever!!!

And if you’re lacking herculean strength or abs of steel like my friend pictured below…

How about being a very electric and loud cheerleader to the main act? At one point in his set, the juggler failed at hooking the rings around his neck after tossing them in the air. He didn’t hang his head in shame, say “Gome, gomennasai!!!”-the Japanese word for sorry and walk off the stage. His very animated sidekick WAS NOT HAVING IT! She got the crowd involved and encouraged him to try again. Try again he did…and he succeeded! Boy, do we need supportive friends like her in our lives; people who believe in us more than we believe in ourselves. – I didn’t capture that exact moment but I will share a clip of their performance on my IG page.

 Some days it’s all about our main act of dreams and aspirations but don’t forget to be awesome sidekicks to your friends and loved ones. While you’re at it, clown around, have some fun and turn that frown upside down!

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Seoul Mates

“OK! OK! You win! Your happy price…my sad price.”

Readers, I have never seen such determination to score a sale. My carry-on suitcase had finally rendered its last dance. The old, faithful suitcase had been with me from my undergraduate days in Jamaica, so it was time to thank it for its service and bid it farewell.

This conversation is a recap of an encounter my husband had with a very persistent salesman when we were shopping around for a replacement suitcase in Seoul.

Initially, he quoted a really high price and we were adamant that we were not going above our set price. So then he shaved off US $10 but that was no use since his initial asking price was so high. Then, he shaved off another $US10 but this offer was for a less savvy-looking one. BAJAN INJECTION: My champagne taste was not impressed but my mauby pockets knew it was the best decision. -See glossary below for further explanation-

Yet, the asking price was still a bit steep; if I was going to sacrifice style, he was going to have to drop that price. As we were leaving the store to go shop around, in one final act of desperation, he GRABBED my husband’s arm, caved and said, “OK! OK! You win! Your happy price…my sad price.” Maybe I didn’t have enough local market experiences growing up but to date, I think South Koreans are the most determined salesmen I have ever met.

So far we’ve explored South Korea’s architecture and one of its cultural exhibitions. This post will feature the incredibly lively people of South Korea.

Seoul is an electric and thriving city. Amidst my many memories, I vividly remember the upbeat nature of the people which is a stark contrast to the very rigid, serious disposition of most Japanese.

Get Out The Way!

We weren’t able to locate the street market but we found this huge supermarket with the market vibe. It wasn’t a regular supermarket. There were so many people and they weren’t doing regular shopping. Bobbing and weaving through the aisles, there was this buzz of excitement and urgency. It was hard to squeeze past everyone with their packed trolleys. These people were hungry for great deals and bargains! You could see it in their eyes- move or get rolled over-.  It even made me feel like I should have grabbed a trolley to get in on the shopping action too!

Music to my ears

The chants from each vendor’s stall was so musical (andddd convincing). It was a true local -indoor- market experience. We weren’t only supporting their livelihood in the form of exchanging money for goods; we were also receiving an invaluable exchange of culture beautifully wrapped up in the currency of hospitality.

“Chalk and Cheese”

The vibe that we got from Seoul compared to the vibes we SOMETIMES get in Japan was like “chalk and cheese”. Honestly, I’m still trying to find coping mechanisms to adapt to the intense rigidity that is Japan.

Meanwhile, South Korea made me feel like I had been teleported to downtown Manhattan. It was a such a breath of fresh air. The Koreans I encountered going about their business seemed so much more free-spirited and more ALIVE with their facial expressions and gestures. They were louder with occasional outbursts or cackles of laughter. The women wore brightly-coloured lipsticks with streaks of neon hair shades. And that is notable here because most Japanese play it safe with colors. You know, the black, blue, grey, brown….black.

Don’t get me wrong, I am truly grateful for this AMAZING, once-in-a-lifetime experience here in Japan. But living in the countryside of Japan is like being capped in a time capsule. Maybe Tokyo’s liveliness and level of chill  is on par with Seoul. When I visit Tokyo, I’ll do a comparative analysis and let you know. 

I can’t fully explain it but these good vibes seemed to be everywhere. They were everywhere when we hopped off our tour bus and explored the Seoul Olympics Park built for the 1988 Summer Olympics. Without sounding too mushy; I experienced such peaceful and serene moments there. The park also serves as a leisure facility and there was such an abundance of strong and positive vibes...such togetherness. I saw the young and old running around, locals and tourists, people of different races, the elderly and the disabled; all one and the same, basking in the sunshine and the natural bond of our humanity.

It was such a fun and freeing experience that I would recommend you take the Seoul City Tour Bus , which allows you to hop on and off the bus with pick-up times scheduled every 30 minutes. This way, you can  enjoy the Seoul Olympics Park and many other attractions in Seoul. 

Tip: I also highly recommend the T-money card which you simply top up with cash and swipe for easy travel on the subway. I also recommend a Wi-Fi  sim card so that you always have internet access, especially when you need Mrs. GoogleMaps for directions. Both of these can be purchased from a CU convenience store at the airport.

Glossary

Bajan Injection: “Champagne taste and mauby pocket”- This means that you have an affinity towards expensive items that you can’t afford!!! Don’t we all?

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A Cultural Adrenaline Rush for the Seoul

We were standing on history’s page and we didn’t even know it!

This was the year that the gigantic festival stage from the 14th century was being reintroduced after being abolished for 234 years from major cultural festivals.

It was after 5 p.m. and we were exhausted. This was the last leg of our bus tour and we agreed there would be no more hopping off and hopping back on the bus. It was time to go home.

But then…

we heard the drums and the flutes!

Then….we saw the rainbow of colors!

and then we saw a this massive crowd.

The atmosphere was ELECTRIC!!!

Masked dancers fluidly moved in sync to the beat of the drums and whistling sound of the flutes. We could sense that something BIG was happening. Sooo…we hopped off the bus to get in the midst of the action.

There were eye-catching dragon floats, colorful costumes, animal mascots, elaborate hairstyles, traditional hats and huge, swirling flags. So much was happening at once. This was a high-voltage environment and my senses were highly charged and I was pumped with what can only be described as a cultural adrenaline rush.

I was like a kid in a candy store!!!

“Let’s go there…let’s check out over there…oooohh, what’s that back there?” It was E-P-I-C I tell you.

But what was all the fuss about? Apparently, it was the 4th Royal Culture Festival taking place at The Gyeongbokgung Palace in Central Seoul. What we were witnessing was The Yesandae Parade.

So let me stick a pin. Kim, it was the what at the what and you were witnessing the what?

The Royal Culture Festival is an annual festival and this year they had 34 programs over the course of 9 days with the theme: “Today We Meet The Palace.”

Gyeonbok was Korea’s first constructed royal palace and it’s recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Pictures do not do justice to this place guys and gals. I’ll show you in a subsequent post.

The Yesandae Parade is simply an artistic showcase in the form of traditional dance, music and costumes with a kaleidoscope of colours!

It was a frenzy of people. People huddled at every possible vantage point. Photographers who would do anything to get the perfect shot (myself included) crouched on the ground or stretched over people. I lunged up onto a huge, plant pot and had to balance at the edge to capture the action.

If you’re ever in this part of the world around April, I suggest you check it out. This was definitely the most memorable part of our trip to South Korea. But enough talking from me for now, stay tuned for more pictures and videos in the upcoming week of this amazing experience!!!

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Design from the Seoul

Seoul’s architecture was a visual feast! 

It was eye-opening and jaw-dropping! When you emerge from the subway, there’s an instant pop of creative energy and imagination bouncing from wall to wall: the geometric designs, satellite roofs and buildings with unusual curves were OUTRAGEOUSLY STUNNING!

On the train, en route from Incheon International Airport, I couldn’t help but notice The Olympic Bridge outstretched over Hangang River. Allow me to paint the picture: this mecca of a bridge had a framework which pulled on my heart strings of intrigue and curiosity. It was laid out in an orchestric design with an awe-striking acoustic.

At Dongdaemun Design Plaza and Park, I was not prepared for the immaculate design which stunned me. It was so futuristic, authentic and surreal. Racking up a cost of roughly $450 million, this building was like a case of The X-Files; it was such an “out-of-this-earth”-design. Let’s talk about the shape; I never knew a building could curve like that! I’m still trying to figure out how they moulded it into a spaceship. Its color and appearance was covered in this platinum-tiled exterior. Besides its artistic value, the design plaza serves the purpose of providing space for promotions, exhibitions and special events. Usually, only the works of Mother Nature leave me so spellbound but this right here…This right here left my jaw on the ground; it was really special! The picture does not do it justice!

I will speak of cafes in more detail at another time but I have to mention the interior design of A3- Hive café at Dongdaemun. It was like having coffee at The Jetsons. –corny! But whatever!-

Keeping with the theme of a bee hive, a very observant customer would have realised that the black, angular tables and chairs resembled the outer-grid of a honey comb, even the decorative, glass pieces around the room were in keeping with the bee hive theme.

Another highlight for me was Lotte Tower, a skyscraper which ascended into a cocoon of style and finesse.

Taking third place for me was a snapshot-worthy building, more outstanding than others, wrapped in the finishing touch of an intricate, lattice pattern.

The buildings alone were spectacular but the masterminds behind the architecture of this entire area knew just how to polish the environs with that final dash of fairy dust. Complementing these amazing buildings were these majestic, beautiful, bronze statues. As if intended to guard these grandiose structures, they were positioned at various intervals on the road and around buildings. It was like one big Michelangelo masterpiece with the Seoul of creativity and art swirling in the air.

I’m not one to usually go bonkers over architectural designs but this experience was one for the books!

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HOFU: HIDDEN TREASURE IN OUR BACKYARD

Would you like a cup of tea?

 Well, I’ll quickly turn on the kettle, drop the tea bag in the cup, pour the hot water and there you have it!

 This quick fix is customary in other parts of the world but here in Japan, they perform tea ceremonies that are held in high esteem; Japanese take great pride in their tea ceremonies.

 But why such pomp and reverence over a cup of green tea? Originally, tea plants didn’t grow in Japan. They were brought here from China. Tea was once a very rare, valuable drink used as medicine. Hence, the formality we see on display up to this day.

 Sometimes we want to travel far out on great adventures and we fail to realise that the treasure we’re looking for is right there in our backyard. This was the case with our visit to Hofu, which is a neighboring town in our prefecture （parish）.

 For us, experiencing the tea ceremony was a rich, royal, cultural experience. I knew we were in for a very different encounter from the time we slipped off our “outdoor shoes” and tip-toed into the respectful silence of the tea house.

 Such stillness. Such quiet. Such peace.

 The way our host served us our cups of Matcha, was like watching a graceful rendition on THE ART of serving tea. Our tea experience was filled to the brim with ritualistic movements. Everything from sitting in the Japanese “seiza” position to bowing upon receiving and returning our bowls. Yes, the experience is steeped in etiquette traditions but it is also very much about the act of service from the host to the guests.

 It literally came to a bittersweet end with the serving of Japanese traditional sweets which are served to restore balance to the palette after drinking the slightly bitter green tea.

 Before I go, let me share the highlight of the day. After the tea ceremony, our host escorted us down the hallway and past these scaping glassdoors which beautifully framed the roji gardens. In a few words, the gardens were like a magical bubble of everything Mother Nature has to offer: luscious trees, whistling rivers filled with coy fish and decorated with uniquely shaped mini-boulders in all the right places.

 She led us into a petite room. Not small….PETITE! In this room, was a Nijiriguchi, which is a traditional crawl door used in the old Japanese tea house. It was symbolic of a quiet portal into a peaceful zen away from the noise of the world.

Right before we gobbled down some yummy okonomiyaki (savory pancake) and takoyaki(octopus fried in a batter), Moe took an adventurous bite into some squid tentacles. NOT I...said the cat! I’m not on that level yet.

It was a great day of culture, adventure, and food. Yes, there are thousands of pearls scattered across the world in exotic places dripping in history and tradition but if we look closely, we can also find the treasured pearls in our backyard.

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#wouldyoueatthat #doubledareyou #yumyuminmywhat #squidtentacles #alrightyou #Japan #blackinjapan

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Tiny entrances from old Japanese tea house.

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🌸#Sakura #cherryblossoms 🌸 How I See It: Trees drizzled with white flower snowflakes!! #japaneseart #springinJapan #flowersinbloom #flowerstagramer #blumen #blumenau #flowers #ranunkel #bellis #stiefm #colorflowers #bunteblumen #springflowers #spring #instaflowers #diewocheaufinstagram #beautifulflowers #springtime #springisfinallyhere #sunnydays #sunshinemakeseverythingbetter #nevertoomanyflowers #springblooms #springbulbs #flowersinstagram #gardenlife #plantsmakemehappy #flowersmakemehappy

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She’s So Rich: Hiroshima Part II

She is more than her scars, wounds and broken heart.

If you would allow me to assign a gender to Hiroshima, she has an intriguing essence interwoven with the intricate fibers of a strong woman.

Hiroshima has a lot more to offer than the memories of her painful past.

Temples, festivals, baseball games, mouth-watering food, mountain trails and entertaining shows.

My experience there was wide and varied.

There wasn’t a planned itinerary. We just went with the flow.

Eats: Elk Vegetarian Café

In Japan, it has been quite difficult to find a chill café offering protein shakes, smoothie blends or delightful salads that make you go “Mmmm” as if it were a BigMac burger. But our selections of an oyster burger. panini and chocolate vegan cake from the menu did not disappoint. At Elk Café, the Disney soundtracks may not have been jazz music but they still gave that nice, mellow vibe we’ve love at cafes. In terms of space, it was a bit of a “tight squeeze” with very basic “squared” seating. However, they had nice light fixtures with mini-chandeliers hovering above the table. The lavender-colored crystal of the chandeliers up-scaled this modest den.

Shopping: Hondori Street

As a big city, people flock to Hiroshima for the shopping experience. That was not our intention. We were in full tourist mode. However, it would be remiss of us to not catch a glimpse of the commercial side of Hiroshima. Close to Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park is Hondori, a busy street flanked by all kinds of stores, arcades, cafes, restaurants, EVERYTHING!!! Simply put and for comparative reasons to my Bajan readers, it is like a super-extended version of Swan Street but…with everything in Japanese. But that description doesn’t do justice to the futuristic architecture of the ceiling which really gave it a cool, sci-fi, time-travel vibe. Walking on the streets of the “big city” is every rural dweller’s dream come true. Bajan Injection: “D stores does got yuh head turn!” Turn left…Ascis, Northface?? Turn right…LUSH , H＆M is that you?”

Gamers: Anime-nia

We only went to this anime store because our friend wanted to go there. I’m not an anime fanatic but I’m glad we went because after all, Japan is the land of anime and that is a part of the cultural experience. So this was a quick out-out-of-the-box moment for me. YOLO…new experiences. Each game station was ‘lit’. Figuratively but mainly literally! Flashing neon lights captured the hearts…and money of avid gamers. Each game station was unique with prizes of anime and manga memorabilia or chocolate and candy sweet treats for the kiddos.

“Home Drums”

Home is where the heart is at.

After being “out of my element”, we ventured back to where home drums beat the loudest for me. Of course the beat isn’t louder than the thought of landing at GAIA, Barbados to see family and friends. Nevertheless…they are loud! And the rhythm led my prancing feet right to…STARBUCKS BABY!!! –I know you don’t understand this weird obsession- So let me explain.

When I walk into Starbucks and my eyes are greeted with those warm, earth-tones, the “just right” lighting, extra comfy seating and the intoxicating smell of freshly ground coffee beans, I just want to pour that entire experience in a bottle and bathe in it every day. All in favor say “Aye!”

Man’s Best Friend ＆ The Feline Dynasty

Japanese love, love, love dogs and cats. We visited a store where you can buy puppies. It was fascinating to see the sheer excitement on the faces of Japanese children AND adults. They really do love dogs. One of my very first cultural observations was that Japanese take their dogs for a walk every day, sometimes twice a day. Not even the below zero degrees weather could stop them from their early morning and late night strolls with their dogs. The air of elation in the store was infectious with streaks of “Kawaii, kawaii kawaii” which means “cute” in English. Nearby was a cat café but I’m still trying to “wrap my mind” around that concept. Also click this link to see Tokyo Cat Café.

Kurious Korner

What type of tourist are you?

①      Zen-thusiasts- There are many shrines and temples in Japan. So if you are interested in different types of religions, you can visit the Peace Pagoda or Mitaki Temple while in Hiroshima.

②      Nature Lovers- Do you feel inner-peace and an indescribable “one-ness” when surrounded by trees, plants, rivers, mountains and breath-taking views? Then, you should visit Shukkeien Garden .

③      Cultural Chameleon- To me, immersing yourself in a true cultural experience is one of the most authentic ways to enjoy your stay in another country. We didn’t get to attend this festival but it is certainly on our to do list: The Hiroshima Oyster Festival in February.

④      Sports Fanatic- When I arrived, I was surprised to learn that Japanese are huge baseball fans. Baseball games are very popular here.

⑤      Bajan Injection: “Eyes-Bigger-Than-Yuh-Belly” Tourist- Of course oysters and okonomiyaki are the local treats but there are also many regular and vegan cafes.

⑥      The SHOW me more Tourist- For those psyched by entertainment shows and theatre, Kagura is a theatrical dance based on the Japanese Shinto religion. The elaborate costumes will more than peek your interest. These shows are in December. Hiroshima also offers the Shimizu Gekijo show which combines theater and dance performances by Geisha and Samurai!

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It Took 45 Seconds: Hiroshima (Part 1)

It took 45 seconds.

Forty-five seconds to flatline the throbbing heartbeat of Hiroshima.

On August 6th,1945, there was a blinding flash of blue light.

Buildings dissolved to dust.

Homes, schools, hospitals exploded into crumbs of rubble.

Swallowed in a mushroom cloud of black smoke, people emerged with their skin dripping from their bodies.

One survivor recounts, “It was a ghostly procession…they didn’t look like human beings.”

Men, women, children…vaporized. And it only took 45 seconds.

The Greater Good?

If you don’t know the story of Hiroshima, many argue that it was the final checkmate move that brought World War II to its end. Even one of the surviving crew members, on the plane that dropped the bomb, believed it was a necessary countermove. He is convinced that he saved many lives and if faced with the same dilemma again, he would do it again.

Such an emotionally void statement was quite chilling for me during my research. I understand the concept of utilitarianism; choosing to do that which results in less suffering overall but I don’t agree with it. My moral reflexes (and I am sure yours as well) won’t allow me. They yank at my heart with the thought of the tens of thousands of unsuspecting Japanese people who were literally burnt alive. There had to be a better way.

Look At the Man/Woman in the Mirror

Frankly, I wasn’t keen on visiting Hiroshima because of its painful past. But the thousands that perished deserve more respect than that; they deserve to have their stories told for generations to come. Avoiding our shameful mistakes doesn’t make them disappear. It erases the opportunity for introspection and personal growth.

Love is Always the Answer

Once we crossed the bridge, I felt an immediate reverence and solemn energy in the air. It’s one thing to read about history. It’s another thing to BE standing there on history’s page. You feel a heightened level of awareness. “Who/What are we?” “Why do we do these things?” “When will we learn from our mistakes?”

In spite of my hesitance, I went and I’m actually glad we visited The Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park. (You can get there via the Electric Railway- Genbaku-Domu Mae- tram line 2 or line 6)

The Peace Memorial Park is a vast landscape of monuments hedged by beautiful flowers and manicured lawns. Whispering in the air was a clear message of PEACE. The one thing that was meant to destroy the city, evoked the complete opposite reaction, with a spirit of peace but ALSO resilience. What was clear to me was that in spite of the greatest injustices of this world, the answer is never to retaliate, the answer is love. Even in our personal lives, in spite of the great injustices people commit against you, (ask God for strength) because the answer has always been and will always be LOVE.

Mistakes…

The Atomic Bomb Dome was a sight to see. It embodies the determined spirit of Japanese. It stands there with a strong-willed and resilient frame, unapologetically proclaiming, “We’ve been shaken down to our core…but we’re still standing.”

Hiroshima stands as one of the many moments in time when we lost our humanity. Sad to say with the current state of international relations, we’ve come full circle and still haven’t learnt from our mistakes.

I am confident that we all agree that there must be a more politically mature way for world leaders to iron out differences and communicate their feelings, rather than the back and forth banter that we see on social media. Furthermore, feelings should be managed, better yet, removed from the scenario.

Miscommunications can lead to miscalculations and worse yet, missed opportunities for reconciliation.

History already tells the story.

Such lethal mistakes could lead us down the path of more missed mothers, missed fathers, missed brothers and sisters…another moment when humanity goes MISSING.

Let’s not repeat the same mistake.

This I pray.

  P.S. Hiroshima Part 2, I will enlighten you about the happier side of Hiroshima, the dining, big-city shopping experience and the touristy stuff.

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Fukuoka: Sleeping At the Train Station?

So, ammm, for a split second, we had to acknowledge that there was a real possibility that we would have to sleep at Hakata train station in Fukuoka!

“How did that happen?” you may ask.

Well, just let’s say that I was duped with my first “booking.com” and they haven't reimbursed me. They aren't customer friendly regarding concerns and complaints. It was such a whirlwind experience, it deserves a separate blog post. With 9 minutes to spare, we had to roll 4 heavy suitcases through Hakata station hoping that the last Shinkansen for the night wouldn’t leave us. And we all know, to be on time is to be late in Japanese culture. Quick visual: It was like a scene from one of the Home Alone movies at the airport! But we made it just in the “nick of time”! It was an adrenaline rush times infinity!

The Shinkansen? What on earth is she talking about? It’s a network of Japanese bullet trains that can move as fast as 320km/hr, getting you to destinations all over Japan in impressive times. I will post about that later as well. For now, let’s talk about Fukuoka: Big City Life!

Fukuoka is one of the modern cities of Japan; these cities provide a nice oasis escape for us rural dwellers, who sometimes find ourselves swinging on the pendulum of boredom. It’s the sixth largest city in Japan, smaller than Tokyo or Osaka but great for shopping too.

Hakata train station in Fukuoka is more than a train station; it’s a mouth-dropping shopping mall! It’s bedecked with glossy, white tiles and radiant lights beckoning you to buy everything you see. The elaborate, glistening, gold and silver balls adorning entrances, exits and show windows gave you that “Christmas-sy” feeling on the inside. But onto the most importance part of the trip…finding the closest Starbucks. This task was much easier in the big city than in my rural town. There were about four Starbucks inside or in proximity of the station. Of course the aroma of freshly brewed coffee was satisfying enough for me to say, “Thank you Fukuoka, you have been good to me, until next time!” That’s how much I love the smell of coffee.

Then there was mission number two on the list. Find a Lush cosmetics store!!! They produce shower gels, shampoos, lotions, body butters made with body-loving ingredients such as olive oil, vanilla beans, avocado butter, rosemary oil, fresh papaya and coconut and even chocolate. The chocolate one I didn’t buy because I was more tempted to eat it and I somehow don’t think they made it for that purpose. Living in Barbados, I gave up on having my own stash of Lush products due to the hassle, duty, etc. But now…but now…*big, goofy, looney-toon eyes*, I have Lush at my fingertips and I couldn’t be happier about that.

Upon exit, there is a bus stop, normally congested with a long queue of people but the flow of incoming buses is so frequent, the longest time you will have to wait is roughly 15 minutes. On my first visit to Fukuoka, we boarded our bus for the popular shopping area, Canal City, which appeals to the avid  shopper, (especially foreigners) with it’s nice balance of the American H&M and Zara, along with, Japanese favorites, ‘Uniqlo’ and ‘Muji’. The Muji brand caters to those with a very minimalist taste, so browsing was a very different experience but different in a good way. We could all do with less clutter!

A “must see” when you go to Canal City is the fountain show. To the rhythm of an instrumental, water spouts and sways in a beautiful synchronized pattern.

Luckily, we didn’t sleep at the train station. But that experience was a classic example of how accommodation can easily go wrong in your travelling experiences. In some cases it’s a flip of the coin but more often than not, do thorough research and read the fine print. A warm, fluffy pillow and a duvet-covered bed beats a hard chair at a cold airport or train station any day!

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Let's kick this winter fatigue in the butt!

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Splendid Suo-Oshima: Warm Island Hospitality

Known as the island of the mandarin orange, (mikan) in Japanese, Suo-oshima and it’s coastal scenery was a much needed reminder of Barbados and the heart-warming feeling of island hospitality.

In 1885, many of Suo-Oshima’s islanders immigrated to Hawaii. So now Suo-Oshima is known as the ‘sister island’of Kauai in Hawaii. Suo-Oshima is the third-largest island in the Seto Inland Sea and some claim that the island is shaped like a goldfish. Why a goldfish? I don’t know but I can agree that my time there was truly golden.

Our first stop, compliments of our trusted tour guide and fellow English teacher, Mitch, was a super-relaxing café. The décor was a lush escape into what I call a “café wonderland”, with its soft greens and tranquil blues punctuated in all the right spots. My fluffy-whipped, maple-cinnamon pancakes whipped my heart and stomach into love at first sight…and bite.

Next up, we went to this tower which welcomed us with an amazing view of the ocean and uninhabited islands scattered in the sea like emerald green jewels. Remember that warm, island hospitality I mentioned? Japanese don’t normally approach foreigners-they stare at us a lot- so it’s rare for them to initiate conversation. What happened next truly warmed my heart.

There was a group of Japanese at the lone table on the open deck. They appeared to be having a mini-picnic with snacks and hot chocolate because even though it is an island, it is Japan and #winteriscoming so it was #burr multiplied by infinity (#islandgirlproblems). Of course, Melissa, Mitch and I stuck out as foreigners on the deck. That’s why we were so surprised when they approached us with cups of hot chocolate and offered to share their snacks with us. It was so surreal! We sat there communicating with ‘one-word’ sentences and charades while using the little Japanese we knew and the little English they knew. I felt all warm and fuzzy inside as we sat in that little bubble of togetherness. It was a very special moment magnified with the soundtrack of “We Are The World” playing in my mind. Dramatic much, I know, but that’s just me and my ideal view of the world.

Leaving the tower, we drove down the hill of numerous bends. Maybe this is insignificant but I have a very vivid memory of the scenery which looked like a winding carousel of bamboo trees. It was an epic snapshot for nature lovers! If that peaked your interest, you would have also loved the burgundy-red, yellow and orange autumn leaves at the lake we visited next.

But the most breath-taking sight of all was when we stopped at the bridge to view the sunset. Words do not do it justice but I will try. The cotton-candy clouds had little “windows” with streaks of golden rays emanating from that pot of gold we call the sun. Beneath, there were layered paintbrush strokes of pastel pinks and soft-baby blues. I have seen beautiful sunsets back at home but that sunset was breath-taking.

-------------Sumsung at 2% didn’t do it justice. #sponsormeaniphone------------------

The day ended with my first Thanksgiving Dinner: green-bean casserole, mashed potatoes and gravy, chicken (substitute turkey) with cranberry sauce and pumpkin pie. Those were the main stars of the table. Bajan injection: “It was more than a belly-full of food. De “itis” was in full effect afterwards.”

I thoroughly enjoyed it. It was more than satisfying; it was splendid. Actually, the entire day was splendid! That was my first time there and it most certainly won’t be my last trip to Splendid Suo-Oshima!

[soaringonwingsoflove]

This message evoked introspection. I hope it will be a blessing or answer to someone else too!

[soaringonwingsoflove]

Yamaguchi City: The World Keeps Turning

Japanese are punctual people. Punctual with a capital P. I am convinced that if the weather could have a nationality, the weather here would also be Japanese. On September 01st, the weather plummeted（in my opinion） from the humid, summer temperatures of 30°C to chillier temperatures of 14°C - 20°C.

 I have never experienced winter. I even complain if I am in an air-conditioned room. So while these temperatures are cool and perfect for many, I have to bite my tongue every time I want to complain, “It’s so cold!”

 So I thought it was just a mental fight. But the “cool” wind over here is incomparable to the chilly Christmas wind we have grown accustomed to back in Barbados. For me, these winds are so frigid that they literally “get under my skin”. I feel like my organs keep shaking to a pulsing beat on the dance floor.

 Thereafter, it became a physical fight. I got sick. My eyes were burning, my body was cold, I had no appetite, my tonsils（yes I still have my tonsils and they are huge）were inflamed and that was painful. I had a headache, runny nose, congestion and the list goes on and on and on. You name it, I had it and it was awful. I was groggy with a capital G. I was spiralling fast.

 Language barrier problems 101: Standing in a drugstore trying to figure out what medicine to buy when everything is written in Japanese and Google Translate is giving you a weird translation. What do you do? Buying medicine isn’t the time to guess “Eeny, meeny, miny, moe,” that could easily go sideways quickly with serious repercussions. So even though I hate being dependent on people, this was definitely one of those cases where I needed to beg for help. HELP! That evening, I left my bike at school and got a ride home. I felt too ill. I wished the next day was Saturday but it was Friday and I had to be present at a business meeting in Yamaguchi City.

 Get Your ‘Ish’ Together

Usually, if I’m ill and I still have to go to work, I plop myself into my car and I drive at 40 km/hr because I’m groggy with a capital G. But of course things have changed. To commute from city to city, the main form of transportation is the train, which is also punctual with a capital P. I have a love-hate relationship with this system. I love it! When commuting by train, there are websites like www.hyperdia.com, which will have departure times listed. I love it because it is super-efficient and dependable in contrast to the system-or lack thereof- at home, where you wait at the bus stop with great uncertainty. Bajan Injection: “Where d bus, where d bus, where d bus to town?…..”

 But sometimes I am not fond of the train system. On days like this when you don’t have your ‘ish’ together, there is a high probability that you aint gonna get on that train if you don’t get it together. （Another one bites the dust!）

 I had to get the 7:48 a.m. train. Remember, I was groggy with a capital G, so I only woke up at 7:00. I take about 30 minutes to get ready（45 or more to be honest; I’m a work in progress）and the station is 20 minutes away at a causal pace. It would have been faster if I biked but my bike was at school. So you do the Math, time was against me! Either I was going to get my butt into gear or Bajan Injection: “De train did gine lef me!”

 So I huffed and puffed through my mouth（can’t breathe through yuh nose problems） and my physically weak body got me there in time. Aint it fun living in the real world.? Adulting is hard!

 Trade-Offs

I was fatigued after a day of planning and listening to a long lecture. The lecture was good but…I was groggy with a capital G. After we got something to eat, the sleep came on heavy. Out of habit, I put my hands in my pocket for my car keys, thinking of my bed and being at home in 15 minutes MAX. But, back to life, and back to reality. It legit took almost 2 hours to get home. And the fatigue was creeping in from my sleep medicine. When we reached our station, I thought, “Yes, we’re finally home!” No, you’re not home, you’re at the station with NO bike! Time to walk home. What a trade-off!

That Thing That Shall Not Be Named

It was bitter-cold and dark. Dylan had his bike, so he biked by my side while I zombie-walked. We were chatting and side-stepping out of the road from oncoming traffic. We were trying to get home as fast as possible when IT happened. In mid-sentence, I saw something in a ‘S’ shape on MY side of the road. It could have been an old piece of rubber or something. I was right next to it when Dylan stopped and asked, “Wait, is that a snake?.............................”

 ……..All I could remember was the loud, thumping sound of my sneakers on the gritty asphalt and my loud, congested breathing. In mid-stride, I realised I wasn’t hearing the whoosh of Dylan’s bicycle wheels anymore. So 100m down the road, I stopped and realised he was still back there INSPECTING the S-N-A-K-E. Yes, as you see it, that is how I say it. That thing that shall NOT be named. I was scared shitless. Father Jesus forgive me because that was a true WTF moment. Forget being exhausted, I was ready to run all the way home. When Dylan’s inspection was over, he rode towards me with a smile on his face, “It’s dead!” With raised eyebrows and bulging eyes, through gritted teeth I said, “That’s good to know!”

 To all my Bajan and Caribbean brothers and sisters out there, were you going to stop to find out if the S-N-A-K-E was dead? Enough said.

 After the episode, he explained that he usually isn’t so fearless but when one person is spazzed out with fear（ME!）, the other person has to be strong. And that’s why he stood his ground! If you’re reading this Dylan,-it’s good to know you got my back.

 Keep The Progress

The regular stroll home was now haunted. My mind was blowing up with paranoia. “Keep all the windows and doors closed!” I thought. I was so psyched out and paralyzed with fear that for a moment, I was throwing my blooming, adventurous spirit in the bin. Then I had a stern talk with myself. I’ve made too much progress to turtle back into a shell because of a dead S-N-A-K-E. Was it traumatic for me? Yes! But the lesson from that day was clear, no matter what trauma you went through or may be going through, you better get it together because you better believe that the world keeps turning!

[soaringonwingsoflove]

Fox Wedding Parade. #traditionaldance #kiminjapan

[soaringonwingsoflove]

"When thinking about life, remember this: No amount of guilt can solve the past, and no amount of anxiety can change the future."

-source: a wise person