Solitude and Sake

April 3 to 6: Tokyo, Japan

Let me tell you a little back story of how I ended up in Tokyo:

2 weeks before my departure I jokingly asked my mom to bring me with her to whatever country she has work in during the Holy Week (She's on a road tour for her blockchain company traxion.tech). Lo and behold, she suddenly chats me up on a Tuesday night telling me to process my Japan Visa. With research on that same night, I knew I only had a day to get all my documents so that I could have my visa processed just in time for the trip. And so I did.

Since my mom was working the whole time there, I had days to myself — and believe me when I say that this is an understatement: It was one of the best experiences I have ever had.

They say that travelling alone is the ultimate self indulgence. Boy, were they right. Prior to the trip I was agitated by the thought of where I would spend my days alone. I stumbled upon an article that suggested that I wing it.

So I ditched the itinerary to find the great little quirks of the city on my own. I did whatever I wanted, for however long I wanted it, because the day was mine and I owned it. I got lost multiple times and I didn't mind. I lost my only source of direction; my trusted mobile phone died mid way of finding my way to the train station, wherein I learned how to get back by listening to the sound of the tracks. I went into restaurants that only locals visited. I asked directions from people who didn't know a damn word of what I was saying, and they were amazing for their patience.

Tokyo for me was the best place to find your peace, your love for self, and love for life. The culture itself takes pride in its people's independence. Their system is profoundly well-organized, and the discipline of its people was definitely a sight for sore eyes.

I came to Tokyo wishful that something might ignite in me to let go of all my anxieties and the dread that has been living with me for the past months; soul-searching, if you must say. Days before my trip I had encountered people using anonymity to spread hate and just plain spite toward me (thanks a lot, curiouscat.me) and it was horrible, what people can say without tact and good intentions. But you see, we can rise above those kinds of situations, we can live with the hate and criticism as long as we know goodness, love, and truth.

I have never been this genuinely happy for a very long time now, and it feels great. I feel really great. Who would have thought that I only needed two days to myself, be in an unknown place, have zero familiarity to finally start walking toward a direction I longed to have—Solitude.

Solitude is a state of being alone without being lonely; geared toward self-awareness and self-empowerment. I am excited for what lies ahead.

Thank you for this wonderful gift, Tokyo. You were pure bliss.

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