Ah! The photo of us just landing on Nara, Japan! It seems like it was such a short time ago.
I am finally able to sit down and write as we just arrived in Tokyo and I found an internet cafe!
So since I last wrote, we finally were the owners of this new resort and we are ecstatic!
Leaving Tahiti was difficult, I know...paradise! The weather was warm, the water was aqua and the kids were loving having a beach day, everyday. However, that had to come to an end as we signed a contract with our first, second and third renters. So off we went-
Upon arriving, it was a cool 55 degrees and sunny. The temperature was a dramatic change but so was the culture! As we were shown our rental, we had to remove our sandals and as we looked around, each room only had a couple items in the room and the bed (futon in Japanese) were on the floor. They told us they expected us to roll them up each night after we sleep. Imagine that! My kids actually have to make their bed ;) We went to tour the village and appreciated all the sights in front of us.
Two days after, we traveled to another village. This was the village that Gattz was born in and my in-laws live (and own). This village was breath taking, everything he told me about it was not even close to the beauty in person. I remember just standing there, shaking my head and absorbing the moment that his ancestors built this village with their hands. It was amazing to watch our kids stand in a place with such history for our family. We quickly unpacked and went to go to the fishing dock, which the kids saw when we arrived. It was beautiful.
I am finally able to sit down and write as we just arrived in Tokyo and I found an internet cafe!
So since I last wrote, we finally were the owners of this new resort and we are ecstatic!
Leaving Tahiti was difficult, I know...paradise! The weather was warm, the water was aqua and the kids were loving having a beach day, everyday. However, that had to come to an end as we signed a contract with our first, second and third renters. So off we went-
Upon arriving, it was a cool 55 degrees and sunny. The temperature was a dramatic change but so was the culture! As we were shown our rental, we had to remove our sandals and as we looked around, each room only had a couple items in the room and the bed (futon in Japanese) were on the floor. They told us they expected us to roll them up each night after we sleep. Imagine that! My kids actually have to make their bed ;) We went to tour the village and appreciated all the sights in front of us.
Two days after, we traveled to another village. This was the village that Gattz was born in and my in-laws live (and own). This village was breath taking, everything he told me about it was not even close to the beauty in person. I remember just standing there, shaking my head and absorbing the moment that his ancestors built this village with their hands. It was amazing to watch our kids stand in a place with such history for our family. We quickly unpacked and went to go to the fishing dock, which the kids saw when we arrived. It was beautiful.
On our way back, we ran into my mother-in-law who just crumbled (probably more than that lol) at the sight of her son. It had been so long since he left this village and came to the United States. They embraced for what seemed like forever, then finally I was able to get my long awaited hug! Along with the two of us was our grandson, whom she had never met before. Then he was able to meet his sister that was born after he had left Japan! It surely was a moment I will remember.
After reconnecting, she showed us around the village, explaining how her and her ancestors built this beautiful village! For a long moment, I forgot about Tahiti and realized that Japan has been paradise, not only for us but for our entire family who are already saying "Can we move here, please!" I have to agree with them, although the culture and traditions are very different than we are used to back in NY, we have adapted so well and have appreciated things much deeper than before. Without a thought - My mother-in-law was so kind to tell us they would be building a home that we can call home, if we would like. I am not sure we even blinked before we all answered "YES!" at the same time. It will be nice to have a special part of this village. However, we have plane tickets to travel the world, so we may have to purchase a few tickets in-between and maybe eventually live here . We still have some time here and a lot of traveling to do in Japan first.
Oh, the cafe is closing but I will be back tomorrow!
After reconnecting, she showed us around the village, explaining how her and her ancestors built this beautiful village! For a long moment, I forgot about Tahiti and realized that Japan has been paradise, not only for us but for our entire family who are already saying "Can we move here, please!" I have to agree with them, although the culture and traditions are very different than we are used to back in NY, we have adapted so well and have appreciated things much deeper than before. Without a thought - My mother-in-law was so kind to tell us they would be building a home that we can call home, if we would like. I am not sure we even blinked before we all answered "YES!" at the same time. It will be nice to have a special part of this village. However, we have plane tickets to travel the world, so we may have to purchase a few tickets in-between and maybe eventually live here . We still have some time here and a lot of traveling to do in Japan first.
Oh, the cafe is closing but I will be back tomorrow!
Japan pt.2
I am back and paid for an hour here, so I should have enough time to catch everyone up.
We had a few fun adventures this week:
Our entire family went through Samurai training at the Dojo, we hired a teacher to teach the kids Kanji, which they did so great! We learned how to meditate, using sound bowls, had our chakras cleaned and healed, we learned how to paint a Torri.
The hour is up and the kids are exhausted. Until tomorrow :)
We had a few fun adventures this week:
Our entire family went through Samurai training at the Dojo, we hired a teacher to teach the kids Kanji, which they did so great! We learned how to meditate, using sound bowls, had our chakras cleaned and healed, we learned how to paint a Torri.
The hour is up and the kids are exhausted. Until tomorrow :)
Japan pt. 3
Today we are officially touring Tokyo!
^ My view, right now ^
I need to log out and go back to the hotel to wake up the kids and head to the train as more family are heading into Tokyo today! Should be a great day.
I need to log out and go back to the hotel to wake up the kids and head to the train as more family are heading into Tokyo today! Should be a great day.