Japan, it was a phenomenal experience.
Let me digress… It was Wednesday 30 June; I had deadline to achieve at work, as at 11am one director had executed the documents therefore we were on track, my anxiety slightly alleviated, distractions were achieving their utmost goal – an email arrived in my inbox ‘travel sale’… How I was longing for a holiday, I had started planning months ago to take a trip to China and Japan early June, planned the dates, looked up flights, accommodation, relevant if required vaccinations, all I needed was the ok from my manager. No, my colleague was going to the World Cup at the time I wished to be away. Disgruntled and somewhat brat like I threw out all the glossy magazines and brochures, so when I saw return flights to Osaka for $681 I thought to myself ‘I can do it!’ I looked at my calendar filled with deadlines and commitments and saw an opportunity, an opportunity soon between the theatre and a friends movie premier, I sent a quick email to my mother telling her my intentions, she said I was crazy, it’s less than 3 weeks away. I felt crazy. I looked at flight dates, it worked, 10 days in Japan between commitments. I conferred with my manager, initially he asked if he had a choice, I said I hadn’t hit ‘confirm’ yet, ‘do it’.
I booked a holiday to Japan, I had never traveled alone before, I can not speak the language, I do not have any accommodation in mind, I do not have a single book on Japan. I have never acted this spontaneous ever before, totally out of character. I was excited, I hadn’t felt exhilarated in the longest time… I liked it. As in all aspects of life I organised, researched and enquired over the next week and booked everything I needed, the bare minimum. The plan was to fly in and out of Osaka, spend a few nights in Kyoto, a few in Tokyo and back to Osaka… Accommodation and transportation arranged, no it was time to sit back in business class style and wait for the journey Japan will take me on…
It was a sensational, a total mind and body detox… No coffee, no liquor (other than my first night in Kyoto where I had to have sake), no men, healthy food, no make up, no heels, no TV, lots of walking in the sun, no shopping, visiting temples and shrines, onsen spas, no talking to people superfluously – at first I couldn’t with the language, then enjoyed it.
My intention was never to remove myself entirely from any social conventions during this holiday, however, the self imposed disassociation has thus far the best thing I have pursued in life. During this time alone with plenty of time to think clearly about all segments of my life I developed many resolutions, devised methods for re-invention of my well-being, created ideas for self promotions, desires emerged for embracing some relationships, decisions to let others slowly dissipate into abyss. Typically for me, my fantasies may have blended ever so slightly with reality; I have come to the conclusion my blurred sense reality will be an ongoing issue, one to thieve on and have fun with.
- To new adventures
- To new resolves
- To re-invention
14 years ago
