Travelogue by Kelly Krupski
On January 3rd, 2010, I left the life I had made in Japan to do two months of travelling before returning to Canada. First a visit to hustling bustling Seoul left me with adrealine and a need for more. Then an Okinawan homestay near the sea was a quiet view of the tropics. I worked on my Japanese with locals at a festival, pottery men and while hitchiking. On the island, I felt a connection with the Japanese people I once was so distant to. My last trip to Tokyo happened in a flash. An ironic Shinkansen ride, onsen, sushi dinner, snowboard concluded the lasts of my favorite things to do in Yamagata with a samishi Nagai sayonara. Through a rough blizzard and ferry ride I came upon Hokkaido the winter wonderland and snow festival. Niseko was a snowboarder's paradise but lacked authenticity and there it hit me I was no longer used to Western lifestyle. At that moment the FUN of re-adjusting began. My life in Japan was over, my travels complete. Those moments I was alone to cherish the peace of independence were now memories. The times I shared adventures with new friends and old ones, became a pile of random photos. Images that carry fond memories of past different chapter in my life.
Take a look at some the photos below to see how my adventures in Japan came to a close:
Hikari's car during the blizzard.
The last day we all rode together before some of us would eventually move away, Mark andIback to Canada, Liam to Niigata, Ant and Kevon to the UK. It was a great group we finally made and for once I had sweet people to ride with.
Kindergarten kids I'll forever miss their cute and intersting ways, so unlike kids at home! (not a day goes by though that I don't miss working there...haha!)
GAMO!
Sushi man, I love you too! annto mo daisuke!Japan life, that's a wrap!
I'm back to my life in Canada. It has been an intersting few months re-adjusting. I've been fortunate for the timing of it, to be in Canada for the Olympics, to see my family and friends, visit with my cute neice and enjoy a taste of prairie spring. I've struggled about what to do next, how to mix back in with social groups and become involved in physical activity to work off my Japan belly. So far, I've been successful in that I'm almost there. Almost settled, almost fitting into my old jeans...just in time to leave for Korea the next adventure.
With a year of overseas life under my belt, I'm still not sure what my future holds there exactly but I'm excited for what it could bring!
