Globetrotters — January Writing Challenge
Wishing That My Travel Plan For 2023 Be A Reality And Not A Drawing
Praying and crossing my fingers too, because I’m bored
Making travel plans is my version of daydreaming.
I don’t dream to live in a mansion or to be a millionaire. To wear Prada or carry a Hermes bag. All I want is to travel.
Through the years, I have learned that traveling is possible not because a person has a silver spoon in his/her mouth but because of having the desire, the determination and the guts to do it.
In my files of notes, research and planning, Japan is the only one on my list.
When I planned my 2018 Japan trip, I had Osaka-Kyoto and Hokkaido in my heart and mind. I scrapped Hokkaido later on because of the cost and I had no guts to arrive there at nighttime.
As a Filipino, there is a long list of requirements for visa application. One of them is the schedule of stay in Japan. The need to write down the places to visit (daily for the entire travel), the name and address of the hotel, contact number and flights going to and from Japan.
My mistake to write down an Osaka-Kyoto itinerary while watching a Kyushu-Fukuoka documentary. It totally changed my mind.
Not sure if my change of mind was caused by the beauty of the documentary or by my fickle heart.
Fast forward to January 2020. The Osaka-Kyoto trip stayed in my mind. So, I picked up the pieces where I left them. I even went as far as booking hotels just to be sure I won’t change my mind.
Then the pandemic…
Ouch! Not only I was heartbroken but I had to pay for the bookings. My bad, I didn’t check if there’s a cancellation fee or not.
Strike two for Osaka-Kyoto and me.
Even if the pandemic is like a never-ending story, I still have high hopes that it will end.
And I told myself that in Autumn of 2023, it will be possible. I won’t join the first rush of travelers. Just claim it.
Everything in me is calm, in peace and in waiting.
Until…
I saw this Pinoy ( slang word for Filipino) dude, a vlogger on Youtube enjoying himself in Singapore. I was happy for him. Been there, done that.
Then a few months later, he went to Japan. I was 50% happy for him and 50% jealous. How can he do that? A 9–5 employee and only in his early 30s. Okay, maybe he has a big salary.
After a month, he was in Japan again. I was 100% envious and 100% jealous.
Wait a minute! If he can do it, why can’t I?
I was challenged. Autumn seems so far away, the last stretch of winter is fine or the first bloom of the Cherry Blossom🌸 is better.
I got my notes of Osaka-Kyoto. Revising it to fit in all the shrines, temples and shotengai ( shopping street) that I want to see. It’s our time. Crossing all my fingers that everything will happen.
But XBB. 1.5 variant and Kraken are taking away the calm after the storm in me. What if…
Strike three? I hope not.
Maybe Osaka-Kyoto trip and I are not meant to be? I should not insist?
So… I made new itineraries ( Still in Japan)
1. HOKKAIDO. The one that got away.
How I wish to be there on its Snow Festival come February but real life is giving me a real talk. Hoping it will be on the last week of April for the first bloom of Cherry Blossom. Or anytime as long as it becomes a reality… soon.
2. After watching the Japanese drama Snow Country, I want to go where the drama was filmed. It’s in Yuzawa, a town in NIIGATA.
3. I want to be like Diane Neill Tincher who traveled to AOMORI and explored the Tsutayacho Forest.
But if Lady Luck will be on my side, I’ll still stick to my original plan. How I envy Akemi Sagawa, for KOYASAN is the “ where I want to be when in Osaka”.
Or maybe I need to go to another country.
A dear friend gave this to me, as her Christmas gift. ⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️
On second thought, WHY NOT?
Whatever!
If my plan fails, I just keep on daydreaming.
