"A boat is safe in the harbor. But this is not the purpose of a boat."
- Paulo Coelho
This quote really resonates with me because it has been a big year for growth! The biggest change that many of you know already, was my recent move to Japan. It's crazy to me to think that it has already been a year since my 'normal' was completely shifted. I had to make some big decisions and set sail. I couldn't be happier with the decision to elope and move to this beautiful island. There have been challenges, and I want to give you a look past the pretty photos and more into the personal side of moving abroad.
Prior to moving to Japan, I had gone on long term travel before, but never an official international move. My 'harbor' was living in Virginia close to my friends and family, and I had never gone longer than 90 days without seeing loved ones. It's currently been 113 days without seeing my family and it has not been easy. The most challenging part is the 14 hour time difference. As my friends and family are waking up for the day, I am going to sleep, and vice versa. This affects how often we are able to have phone or video conversations, and sometimes can delay text responses by two days, if we don't text while we both are awake.
The move to Japan was, and still is, really scary. Making new friends in a new place as an adult is challenging, getting adjusted to a new culture has it's ups and downs. Our time here has mostly been ups, but as an extrovert, some days the language barrier makes me so frustrated because all I want to do is have a basic conversation with a cashier, or tell someone random that I like their outfit. In 2021 I plan to commit more to taking classes, or finding a tutor, to learn more conversational Japanese! I am a firm believer that wherever you travel to in the world, you should learn about the culture, learn at least some of the language, and be respectful of social expectations.
"If one is not open to experience other countries' culture, one might as well stay home."
- TripAdvisor review
Reflecting back over the past few years - in 2019 I was feeling 'stuck' and ready for change, and in 2016 I wrote in a 'Letter to Myself' that in 2020 I would be traveling to Asia; so I guess that I manifested this change for myself. It's always interesting to look back on how things change throughout your life, and to see how everything works out. I am very happy here in Okinawa, with the best husband, and I am absolutely smitten with Japan! While it is a lot of sunshine and sushi, it was important to me to share this insight so as to stay true to my mission of providing 'authentic travel content'.
There are plenty of other military families, or people living abroad, that I know feel the same emotions: homesickness, nervousness, excitement, and many others. Never underestimate setting up a time for a phone call or video chat with your friends abroad, I can guarantee that it will make their day.
Thank you for reading this travel diary, and let me know if you are also living abroad!
Best,
Austin Marie
Comentarios