Today was officially the longest day ever, but I was glad to live it twice. Based on my mono-dialogue discussion on continuing the journey or returning to the US, I decided to return. No reason to rush seeing Egypt if I dont have the money or energy to do it right. Plus, I plan to return to the road sometime soonish and the Med Sea will be calling then. So, on Dec 2 I returned.
This marks Day 100 of my travels (I didnt plan that) as well as Day 101. And some amazing things happened on this day of days. A crazy reunion, best sushi lunch ever, and surprising my girlfriend in SanFran. Though all pretty amazing, the best moment of the week, probably of the month, and definitely in the running for top 5 for the trip: Reconnecting with my original Japanese host family! I'll explain:
9.5 years ago, I came to Japan for 2 weeks, 1 of which I spent in Tokyo. More specifically, I spent it with the Satohs, a Japanese family of 3 (5 including the dogs) living in a small suburb of Tokyo, Higashi-Kanamachi. We had a great time even thought the parents only knew a small amount of English and I, at the time, knew no Japanese. Their son, Nobuyuki, and I talked briefly a few times over the next 4 or so years. About 4 years ago, during my study abroad time in Tokyo, I returned to Higashi-Kanamachi to try to find the Satohs, but had no luck. I had no address, no email, no phone number. Nothing but memories of a week spent in this town.
This time, on one of my last days in Tokyo, I decided to try again. Even if I couldn't find them, it would be nice to just chill in the small town again. So I buy a train ticket there to begin my search. For nearly two hours, I search the town and my mind trying to match the views and streets of the town with the memories and images in my mind. Somehow, after navigating by a river and a temple through the small streets and alleys, I run across a familiar house. Upon checking the mailbox, I actually gasped a little. SATOH. Rang the bell, (after some mental deliberation) and was greeted by Nobuyuki's dad. He didnt quite seem to remember me, but the mom came out and was nearly in tears as they invited me in. We watched sumo, ate crackers and drank tea all the while amazed that we were actually meeting after such a long time. I was able to use my Japanese to have decent conversation and the parents were as nice as ever, though Nobuyuki was not there. Long story shorter, I was able to contact Nobu thanks to his mom and we eventually met up and had lunch on Dec 2, before he took me to the airport.
The story may not mean much to most reading this, but it was incredible to me. It made me realize how seemingly small decisions can really add up in your life. Each small decision I made, from the casual decision to spend a Sunday afternoon in Higashi-Kanamachi, to going right at the temple instead of left. The decision to check a few more streets even though it was cold and getting dark. Or the decision to ring the bell. All these seemingly small choices, unbeknownst to me,were opportunities for me to either reunite with the Satohs or just have a mediocre day. Each of these decisions played essential parts to a me meeting back up with a childhood friend and reuniting with a family on the other side of the world. A family I hope to keep in contact with for years to come. Looking back now, it is crazy to think what I would have lost had I not decided to come. However, at the time, it just felt like a small, inconsequential decision...
I'm not saying all small choices hold such future importance, I'm just saying that the 'snowball' effect can take you on a helluva ride.
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