I said the trip would be cheap. This ticket is an excellent price for a round-trip ticket to Japan and back, especially since I didn't have to fly out from Denver, and I was convinced. Well, after rebooking and rebooking, it's now one of the most expensive trips you could imagine, and rightfully so. The trip went from just under two weeks to almost four, with a trip to Seoul, South Korea. And let's not forget that I went on to book a ticket to Germany and Austria so that I might run into this amazing woman I met in Kyoto.
I have considered going to Korea for some time. The cost and the things to do are pretty pricey. I had looked at taking a ferry from Osaka to Busan and then the train up to Seoul, but to do that, I would have to wait until the following year. I also had anxiety and fear about having a second trip booked to Europe, and the related costs. But after booking the additional part of my trip to South Korea, all my worries disappeared. Everything just felt right, like the universe was in alignment which tells me that the stress and feelings that I was having weren't coming from how was I going to pay for this bout how was I going to pay for these trips but making the trip big enough to capture the magic that I knew was out there.
What kind of friend would I be if I didn't follow my advice and "Buy the Ticket and take the ride?" I often told my friend, adopted French mom, and teacher to go with it, and everything else would work out. By putting good out into the universe, good comes back.
We were going out to celebrate my brother's girlfriend and her achievement of graduating with her BA in Psychology over drinks and dinner. After a few positive and encouraging words, I again pored over the seemingly endless combinations of flights and hotels until I had a winning combination. I wondered if Seoul had an Aloft Hotel chain; they did. They had two, actually. One was on the other side of Seoul Tower and park, and the other was in the heart of the downtown Myeongdong district. The price difference was about twice as much. I went for the more expensive one, considering that this would be a wonderful place to ground myself for adventures. A no-brainer if you will. Booking and staying in hotels worldwide has made me a bit of a snob when it comes to staying in others that are less than magical.
I was really getting out of my comfort zone. I didn't want to take the train from Fukoyo back to Tokyo and spend 5 hours when I could do the whole thing by flying back to Tokyo in under two hours. Not to mention that I would be flying into the Haneda airport, something I have wanted to do since I learned about it from one of the many YouTube videos I watched on Japan. My last day in Japan will be spent learning how to send stuff back to the States rather than carrying it to Korea. The one advantage is that I am flying out of an airport I am familiar with, so that will make for an easy go-around, but like my first trip to Japan, South Korea will be a whole new game.
For one, Google Maps doesn't work, so I must learn a new way to navigate and get around. I have gathered that everything looks easy, modern, and safe, except South Korea, which is known for its cults. I say bring it on! Lol. I went back and forth on where to stay and finally decided to stay at the Aloft hotel. I loved the one in Osaka so much that I hoped there would be one to accommodate my travels, but it was cheap. I still went with it because I felt comfortable and knew it would be a great place to explore the city. The pictures alone said, Wow, yes, I am staying here. After staying in a Hotel, it will be nice to have a relaxing room. Originally, I was gonna stay only for like one or two nights, but considering the amount of money I am putting into this time and effort, I am putting into this trip, I will be staying for something like 5 days in the city. I will definitely get experience during that time.
With two amazing and well-planned trips to Asia and Europe, I now begin the hard part: creating an itinerary of everything I want to do. As often as I have been to Japan, I would have put a massive dent in everything to do. Ordinarily, you would be right, but considering Tokyo's alone size, I have barely scratched the surface. And of course, there are some fantastic places that I love to keep returning to. As I mentioned, Kyoto has always brought me magic and joy despite being there multiple times. The other big thing that creates the magic on these trips is the type of hotels I stay in. Cápsula hotels offer the opportunity to meet and make new friends and acquaintances. There was a Belgian guy, Marcos, and Marcos, the girl I met from the Philippines, and the beautiful woman from Austria.
Now, manifest the magic in these adventures and in life. I begin by telling a story that kicked off the magic and extraordinary happenings I have learned today. Turn the clock back to 2018, when I was a lonely, humble line cook barely making it. Thinking I would solve my problems, I bought a ticket to Japan. Before that, I bought a ticket to the LA anime Expo, but had to defer it because of events conspiring to leave me doubting I would get the chance to go. After a tough day at work, I was over the job. Several days prior, I wrote a letter about how I deserved better and that my life had meaning, and if I wasn't going to stand up for myself, then no one ever would.
I went home and started complaining online, to which one of my friends responded by popping online and mentioning that her husband's company was hiring. I imagined the meme of Fry from Futurama holding a fist full of cash, saying, "Hold the front door, I'm in." I made a phone call, and, as a result, I had an interview on Monday. I called my boss and explained that I had an emergency on Monday and couldn't make it to work. I got my shift covered, was ready, and printed my resignation.
I hereby immediately and effectively resign my command commission and post. I understand this isn't my two weeks, and although I wish this could have been different, I have to go.
I was hired on the spot. Ironically enough, my brother was also trying to get me to join in and be a part of a job that would help me get to the next step in life. I had no idea what I was getting myself into, but I was ready for anything and more than happy to go down a different path in life. After several other hitches, I found myself in Texas pondering the upcoming LA Anime convention and the ticket I had to put on the back burner. After crunching the numbers and reviewing the logistics, I realized that I would need to stay in Texas another week for my days off to align up to make it and be back in time.
I got out, put my hands in the air, pointed at the sun, projected my thoughts, and told the universe exactly what I wanted and needed. A prayer, a thought, a belief, the universe heard me. Within several minutes, I was called and asked if I wanted to stay another week.
I leaped at the opportunity and booked my trip as soon as I got off the phone. I booked my flight and hotel within seconds. I was staying at the newly renovated Hotel Figureroe. I was in shock by its beauty, character, and vibe that it brought to the table. It was like Freda Collin's meeting Andy Warhol in the 1950s. This was my first time staying in such a nice Hotel.
Other than thinking I could show up at the last minute at the airport and be denied boarding and having to take a later flight, I had a fantastic trip. With the tone of things set and getting a taste for bigger and grander happenings in life, 2019 was to be even bigger and better, with a tip to LA, Japan, and Turkey to meet a friend and experience a day in the life of her shoes. There would be an inner period due to world events that caused everyone to remain home, leaving everyone uncertain about the future.
In 2023, when the chance of returning to Japan was a real thing, I leaped at the opportunity, booking my ticket the day the borders were once again open. Although I was at a different job then, I had to fight for the magic I deserved, which I eventually won out, and in March, I got to see the cherry blossoms. I finally accomplished a bucket list item. I went somewhere amazing and wild for Spring Break. If that wasn't enough, I graduated with many BAs in Accounting and one of the most memorable Christmases ever. I went back to work for the company I walked out of another job for.
In 2024, I took two of my best friends to Japan to experience its amazing culture and history. We saw two of my favorite cities and added another amazing one. The trip created one of the most amazing and memorable times. You experience things differently with people, not to mention I got to revisit some places I had wanted to but hadn't had reason to. I also grew professionally, accepting a new position and pushing myself. In many ways, I had joined the "adult world" of auditing and managing other people.
Today, I am preparing to return to work and tackle the next big obstacle. Done right, it will propel me to even greater and bigger things. I have taken some time to objectively look at my worries and concerns, most notably stepping on other people's toes, stepping out of line, and, for whatever reason, just not doing the right thing.
I have deduced that I have a job to do and perform. Based on logical arguments, I am moving forward with accomplishing the tasks I am confronted with while performing additional work to fill in the gaps of missing documentation and helping out where I can. I will not get through life without stepping on a few toes, ruffling a few feathers, or making a few mistakes; the thing is about keeping an even keel and doing what's right. The old saying is that if you don't make a few enemies, you're not doing something right. The cavities are to outline my intentions, state them clearly, put them into play, and clearly articulate them to all players in the game.
I look forward to what's to come next. And what is to be done. I eagerly accept my responsibility and part in the game as a contributing player rather than a passive piece moving at the whim of the others.