This past June I flew to Japan. I was deliriously underprepared for the experience that awaited me. I had crossed the Pacific Ocean to attend Tokyo’s Sakuragaoka High School for a three week course of study. On my first day, a cute Japanese classmate invited me to be in a long distance relationship with him. He may have been clowning around, but I certainly got a lot of attention in Japan with my blond hair and blue eyes.
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Japan was magical. In particular I was amazed by the details. They take such great care in the presentation of things. The packaging is often as beautiful as the gift. Because they take great pride in presentation, even their public transport was spotless. Compared to San Francisco’s BART, I couldn’t believe how clean the trains were. I was so surprised when even a taxi driver gave me a paper sewing kit (wrapped in a tiny kimono) as a receipt for my fare.
I found the Japanese people were always giving me things! Because I admired it, I ended up coming home with a fry pan—a gift to me from a classmate after a day spent together in Harajuku. Harajuku is THE shopping mecca for Japanese teenagers. In Harajuku we visited as many Purikura photo booths as possible. These booths allowed my friends and I to alter the shape of our eyes, to smooth out our skin, and to shine up our hair. When we were done we looked exactly like Manga cartoon characters–hardly human and with no flaws.
A Japanese school day is long. I woke at 5:15 a.m., had a beautifully presented breakfast (with balled cantaloupe and freshly squeezed orange juice), got on the first bus, transferred to a second, and then walked another 15 minutes until I finally reached school. Usually our studies finished by 3 p.m., but the many after school clubs lasted until 6:00. We got home for dinner by 8 p.m., did homework until 11:00 and then started the cycle all over again the next day. The schedule was exhausting!
While there my host family introduced me to Tanabata, a wishing holiday of paper trees and chains. We made origami ornaments to hang from the chains to symbolize the meeting of two lovers under the Milky Way. My host mother put me in a kimono–an hour long process. I was amazed at her skill in wrapping me into my dress. She also did my hair in traditional fashion, with pins and flowers. I loved the reverence of the dressing ceremony.
My favorite and also the most sober day trip I took was to the city of Hiroshima. Hiroshima was both terrible and beautiful at the same time. I never knew that the little girl Sadako (of “A Thousand Paper Cranes”), died as a result of radiation released by the atomic bomb. Sadako’s greatest wish was one of healing: “I will write peace on your wings, and you will fly all over the world.” It was revelatory to learn more about others like her, and to hear the story from the Japanese point of view. It goes without saying that both sides were wrong. Even so, America had no right to do what it did.
Japan was life-changing for me. I found that I admired the kindness and compassion of the people I met. Japan is a society rich in food, culture, history and time. The Japanese people work hard, but place great value on the small moments. I will value the “small moments” I lived in Japan for the rest of my life.
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John, glad you liked the story. This park is in Ohio where the weather can be unpredictable! It’s warmest between late April and November, but even April has the risk of some snow. If you’re camping with kids, the safest bet is June to August, because it’s warmer and there’s little rain. Enjoy your trip.
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It’s truly magical being there. I love the art this country offers. Their wall arts and crafts are just lovely.
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The history of Cuhahoga valley national park seems interesting and must be a new experience when we observe scenes of National park from their scenic campgrounds.
which season do you think is the best time to visit this national park?
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Hello Michael, glad to hear your family is interested in a dude ranch holiday.
Since your kids are older and, hopefully, everyone in the family rides, you have lots of options. The Dude Ranchers Association is a really helpful resource in sorting through the many types of ranch vacations. For example, you can go here: https://duderanch.org/by-activity-amenity and search for ‘Advanced Rides’ and “Cattle Drives’ and that would get you some real working ranches that would have more of the lifestyle you seem to be looking for. One of our authors recommends the Hideout in Shell, Wyoming for this type of trip.
Looking for a real ranch experience with horseback riding (lots of it) and time in the open air with my son (15) and daughter (12) and my wife (49). I am 62. We live in NJ, my children have been sheltered but I grew up in a small coal mining town in Pennsylvania. I want my children to see another side of life.
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Of course, you can do travel freely and easily through these two countries yourself, but I enjoyed having the trip curated for me, including well-chosen local guides, comfortable transportation on call and some superb private tours, such as a Khmer cooking class or historic walking tour of Saigon, with flexibility in the itinerary for our group of five to follow their own paths, such as making an emotional detour to the moving Genocide Museum housed in the old S-21 jail in Phnom Penh.
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For Richard re: dual citizenship US-Nicaragua… can I use the same to travel back to Nicaragua with the same Power of Attorney (Specific to Minors) since wife is staying back in Nicaragua to keep eyes on the house.
Hi Richard, In our travel experience, this type of document should work well for your travels, but if your wife is available, it can’t hurt to download the sample forms we have online and also have her fill out and notarize one for your trip with your child. The agency responsible in your case will be the carrier — we assume an airline — and if they can make a note in your travel record that they have approved the Nicaraguan documents you should be fine on both departing and entering.
Safe Travels!
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As a signal parent, your life, world, actions are based on your childs well fair. Not your happiness or anything that has to do with you.
It should list where they are going, the dates that they are allowed to go and grant your permission for that trip. You want to include your address and phone number and probably the contact info for the adult traveling as well.
The grand archways and the paintings of Lord Krishna and his cows are a visual treat. Wander through areas opened for tourists and you shall witness the impressive aura and architecture of the Royal state of Rajasthan.
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Hello guys my wife and I have dual citizenship US-Nicaragua, I’m planning to travel to the US with our son also dual citizenship for 3 weeks, with a Power of Attorney (Specific to Minors) from Nicaragua, can I use the same to travel back to Nicaragua with the same Power of Attorney (Specific to Minors) since wife is staying back in Nicaragua to keep eyes on the house.
Congratulations to the winners! A question to all the professional travelers here, how are you planning the route ant the places to see while visiting a new country? As for me I just google the most touristic and popular places. It works mostly, but there were a few times when I realized that I have seen only some the places this country or city is famous for, and that’s sad. On my last trip to Armenia, I decided to take a tour and it was quite productive. It’s much more informative when somebody is telling you history and some interesting facts. If someone wants to save their time – make sure to ask them to help if you’ll ever be there.
Curitiba é uma lugar lindo, além de ser considerada uma das melhores cidades para se morar em Brasil.
Realmente a muito o que conhecer por lá, como também diversas outras belezas do nosso brasil.
Principalmente as praias do Brasil que são muito procurada por inúmeros turistas internacionais e nacionais.
As Praias do Litoral Paulista, divididos entre Praias do Litoral Norte e Litoral Sul.
As mais conhecidas são as Praias de Ubatuba com mais de 100 belas praias no litoral norte paulista.
Já no litoral sul, a região mais procurada são as Praias de Guarujá, a região conta com 23 praias de pura beleza e preservação ambiental.
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Was an honour and pleasure to host you both in the Maori Whakata/Welcome to Wanaka. Welcome back anytime to this wonderful part of the world.
Kia Kaha/Stay strong
[http://www.wanahaka.co.nz]