Japan-tastic

For our first trip as Mr. and Mrs., we explored Japan as it shifts from Winter to Spring season. Such a sensorial feast. Leaves are starting to show up, adorning trees; and flowers are slowly blooming—as if awaiting its adolescence, seemingly delicate but beautiful. 

We traveled from city to city (Osaka-Kyoto-Nagoya), transferred from one train and/or bus to another, and deciphered the country’s multi-colored (seriously!) subway map just to reach our destination.

Thank God we didn’t get lost (props to my hubby, Genson, for being the best travel navigator and ALSO myself for being an obedient travel companion. HAHA). Teamwork! 

It was easy to fall in love with Japan. In our case, we found ourselves falling in love with almost everything that we taste, see, and hear.

In Osaka, we enjoyed the rides and sights of Universal Studios, which is definitely bigger than its Singapore counterpart. Add to that the Harry Potter attraction, which deserves a special mention for it did feel like we were transported to that "Wizarding World," as depicted in the book and film series. 

Then for some real city vibe, we went to the famous Dotonbori and Shinsaibashi stretch. We were amazed and entertained by how busy the streets were, complete with illuminated signboards, shops carrying local and foreign brands (yey!), and the STAR of the district--its FOOD, particularly in Dotonbori. It was a culinary explosion of some sort. Everything (or almost) that was sold by food-stall vendors and restaurants tastes rich and balanced. And the quality is discernible in every bite, fresh and authentic. Simply put, you just got to taste it to believe it. No wonder this city is referred to as the "nation's kitchen."

From Osaka, we boarded the JR train to transfer to Kyoto for a day tour. The city is such a sight to behold--from quiet temples and shrines, peaceful gardens, to seeing an actual geisha walk down the street, among many others. To experience the city, you just got to stop and feel the energy, embrace its relaxed ambiance; go and explore its wonders; and again, taste its food, which is clearly forever part of our itinerary.

We toured the Kinkaku-ji or the "Temple of the Golden Pavilion", then spent the afternoon discovering Arashiyama, where we followed the path of the Bamboo forest and entered the vast complex of the Tenryu-ji Temple (a UNESCO World Heritage Site). This was also where we got to see a blooming Sakura tree (thank you, God!).

As one of the best preserved cities in Japan, Kyoto tells a different story, one that is rich with history and culture. In a word, a breathtaking city.

Last stop was Nagoya. This was where we did our last-minute pasalubong shopping, specifically at the huge Osu Shopping center. Then we roamed around the Sakae district for more (window) shopping and FOOD! Nagoya, I must say, is a more laid-back city compared to Osaka, but equally astounding.

Japan, quite clearly, is more than a country that boasts of modernity and technology. And definitely more than the modern/ electronic toilets that are often a topic of discussion among Filipino tourists, because, sadly, we don’t have such facility in the Philippines. (Boo, corrupt politicians!).

The "Land of the Rising Sun" is simply magical, a vibrant Asian treasure. Every corner has its own charm; every meal a gastronomic pleasure; transportation system is efficient; plus its people, always warm and welcoming. It gives one a sense of peace and calm in the midst of an atmosphere so modern, yet still exuding (and preserving) an imperial past. It is impressive and definitely inspiring.

And I feel happy and more than blessed to have experienced this dreamland with the man whom I vowed to spend the rest of my life with—whatever the season we'll find ourselves in.

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Travel period: March 17-21, 2015

All Photos: Author's own

God's Will

Nearly two years ago, I wrote a piece for Philippine Daily Inquirer's "Young Blood" section about that one dreadful, saddest Sunday of my life—April 7, 2013. The day we lost our sister. (See: http://opinion.inquirer.net/52837/a-room-in-heaven)

The accounts I wrote in that article remain fresh and vivid to this day, still surreal and traumatic. And how I wish there was an “undo” version in real life (or a “rewind” button or an editing tool) so that the pain would just vanish like bubbles in the air—light, superficial, and temporary. 

But life isn’t exactly like that. It is often unpredictable and when it decides to test you, the outcome, be it beautiful or not, is permanent. And we are left with no choice but to accept it and to continue living, albeit hard most of the time. 

When Ate left for the heavens, she was 29. My age now. And I’d often find myself imagining how her life would have turned out if she were still with us; alive and making us laugh (and probably making fun of me too, because she was good at that). And I’d love to see that day again, but of course… reality check. 

Oh well. 

I miss Ate. I miss her every single day. And I got used to living life thinking about the “what if’s” and “how I wish,” because, for some reason, it comforts me (but certainly not on bad days, because, yes, reality just hits hard at times). On those days, I’d cry hard and pray even harder to God for strength, because the pain is just too much to bear. Then I’d be fine again. 

In the process of moving forward, I realized that, to live, letting go is an option and moving on is not. In my case, I chose to move on without letting go of the memories I had with and of Ate. Memories that somehow fill the void she left behind. 

Today marks her second death anniversary. And how I wish April 7, 2013 never happened… or if only I had the powers to bring her back for my parents and for us, her siblings. We miss her terribly. But Thy will be done. 

For now, I can only rely on my dreams to take me to that dimension where I could feel, see, and talk to her again. 
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I love you, Ate!