Hello! My name is Chai. Just have started to write my diary on this channel.
When my Fiancé invited me to come to Japan, at first I was kinda nervous because I've never been to any other country before aside from my home country (Philippines). At the same time, I was excited to meet his family and friends and see the beauty of his hometown.
But Ohh! I'm overthinking what if like this... what if like that... when I arrive there. And not only that, since he cannot fetch me and he can only wait for me at the airport on my arrival I needed to be mentally and physically prepared. Oh my God! there's another set of what if like this... and what if like that... on my mind. But no matter what, I have to go there coz my documents were all set.
Then time came so fast and I safely arrived in Japan. I stayed in Jiro-san's "sky tea house" - a hostel he owned in a countryside of Yame.
It is located in the mountain but not faraway from the city, with a scenic view and a very clean river near the house. It is also complete with amenities and good wifi connection. At the house, I mingled with the guests; shared stories and ate together with them. However, because of the hostel's location and since it's autumn and almost wintertime, I struggled much with cold because I came from a tropical country and used to humid-hot weather temperature.
Luckily, Jiro-san then decided that we travel around Kyushu for 5 days and some of the places we went was not so cold. So we were able to enjoy our 5-day fast-paced travel. We visited different temples, waterfalls, and seaside parks, we also went trekking on mountains, and even witnessed a real volcanic activity. Every night we went to different onsen (hot spring) to take shower.
Wow! that was my most awkward first time experience in Japan. Getting in to the onsen naked.😮😳 Fortunately, there are onsens with private room and male/female onsen because it would be more embarrassing for me to get naked and go to onsen where male and female are mixed.😱
After our 5 days travel, we went back to sky tea house and there was a local fiesta in the village the day after. They had sing and dance performances (featuring their folk and modern songs) and food stalls selling local foods and drinks in a cheap price. At the fiesta I met Jiro-san's neighbors, friends, and other villagers. They were all nice, very polite and hospitable. Now I wonder how we (Filipinos) were recognized as hospitable to visitors or tourists but how come the Japanese were not recognized for this as based on my experience they are more hospitable than us. (this is my experience and opinion only).
Anyway, I really enjoyed the festival and I never thought that they also have a gathering similar to the Philippines. But what amazed me the most is that after the fiesta there was no single garbage found in the field. That's real discipline.🇯🇵
After my Japan trip, I realized that it's probably nice to live and experience all those things everyday. The beautiful sceneries of nature, the clean and pollution-free environment, healthy foods, rich culture and great qualities of people where everyone you meet will greet you no matter who you are and what clothes you wear (they don't judge or look down on others; rather, they respect each other).
My first travel abroad was really great! And I'm indeed grateful to all the people I met.
To Rhum, Kimmie, and the Romanian family - I hope to see you all again someday. To my big monster (Jiro-san), thank you so much for the wonderful and unforgettable experiences on my first time in Japan. Special thanks to your mom for letting me borrow some of her clothes and for cooking delicious foods for us.😘
