Hi January! Hi 2024, Hi everyone
Oh, 2024, what a joy to welcome you from the enchanting embrace of Japan!
Here, in the land of the rising sun, my second year has unfolded like a mesmerizing symphony of cultural discoveries and unexpected challenges (an Earthquake, a polar wave and a airplane on fire), leaving me with a heart full of reflections.
Immersed in Fukuoka, Himeji, Kyoto, Nara and Osaka, nestled in the heart of Japan, I’ve been bewitched by the harmonious dance of tradition and modernity. Each day unfolds like a delicate cherry blossom, revealing the beauty of a culture that effortlessly blends the ancient and the contemporary.
One day, everything shakes and it was an Earthquake. And we learn about FLEXIBILITY.
In the quiet of my 10th-floor Osaka hotel room, the earth began a strange, unsettling dance, the walls rippling like jelly.
Yet, amidst the tremors, a sense of magic unfolded — a shared spirit of protection and unity bloomed among the guests.
While everyone worried about the lack of hotel alerts, the staff exuded calm. “Inside this building, with our earthquake technology, you’re safer than outside,” they explained.
Only a few tourists seemed flustered at the reception; locals strolled, sipped at izakayas, cycled as always.
Japan, in that moment, whispered of the quiet strength born from a united heart. (They kindly moved us to a lower floor, near the emergency exit.)
We face days of cozy and intense rainy days. Slippery Floor, dangerous umbrellas and more. BUT WE LEARN ABOUT RESISTANCE
A gentle rain, a slippery floor, and the sight of an elderly 90 years old woman gracefully rising from a fall — a poignant reminder of Japan’s unwavering resilience.
It’s not just about weathering storms; it’s about dancing through them, two steps forward after every stumble. The older generation here holds a secret, a superpower of facing life’s challenges with grace.
We almoust cancel our trip when we saw that Tokio’s airplane was on fire. But we learn about CRISIS MANAGENT
Let me transport you to a moment when the news echoed with an airplane incident. In most places, chaos would reign supreme, but not in Japan.
The cabin crew has a real response, a choreography of calm, a composed ballet of crisis management. It was an artful display of staying cool under pressure, a lesson in facing the storm with unwavering serenity.
Definitely, this 2024 takes on a new hue.
May this year be a canvas for growth, a tapestry woven with challenges embraced and a spirit undeterred by chaos.
Here’s to the echoes of 2024 and the profound whispers of strength from the heart of Japan — a tale to carry in our hearts.
Cheers to the journey ahead!