Well, it's actually over 7 years that I've been living here in Japan, but
the last time I was back for a visit was four years ago. As such, I'm pretty excited to be heading back this time. It'll almost be like going as a Japanese tourist who, upon reentering the continent of North America, remembers he was born there, and grew up there.
Some time with my family is long overdue, and I'm excited for my son to see a new country and culture (he was only 9 months old last time we visited.) I think it's gonna blow his mind that everyone around him will be speaking English, and that not everybody has black hair. He's gonna meet his cousins, kids of all types, excited, rambunctious friends, and hopefully realize that there is a world out there that's not so beholden to a "don't rock the boat" social norm/culture.
Things I plan on doing.
- Chilling. Chilling. Chilling. With fam. And close friends.
- Eating Mexican food a whole bunch.
- Drinking some potent-ass, hoppy beer.
- Running with new scenery (could be subzero conditions and snow drifts, but..hey. What are you gonna do?)
- Visiting the city (Chicago) for some entertainment and/or Chicago-style pizza.
Why haven't I been back more often?
Well, money is one thing (airfare ain't cheap, man), but that aside, to be honest, I just haven't been ready. Personal development, it seems to me, often has to take place far-removed from the dynamics and social structures one has been born and raised into. This might just involve meditation for some people. For me it involved moving 8,000 miles away.
It was here in Japan that I left religion, became an anarchist full-on, and left a lot of the guilt and self-doubt I had internally accrued in my "home" environment behind. In most ways, Japan is my home now. That said, I have this beautiful, warm feeling now about returning to "my roots" for a second, and just soaking it all in. There are people that live in my head every day. Old friends. Important people. And I need to see them. My son needs to see his grandma and grandad. My wife needs to get out. I need some pizza.
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Who knows, everything may have changed.
I haven't exactly been nurturing many of the relationships I left behind, but in a way, that's alright with me. The folks that are lifelong (and maybe longer) golden friends and muses understand. We stay connected as we can, and allow each other to change. I know I have many expectations, and this is probably not good. Conversations may fall flat in five minutes. The beer may not taste as good as it used to, and unhealthy family dynamics might pop up. But you know what? I've decided I'm not going to fulfill a fantasy, but to share love, have a good laugh if possible, and reconnect with some people and places that have shaped me into who I am today. And, to express and give some of what I have learned, as the new me, and to receive the same from everyone there. I can’t wait to share all this with my wife and son!
Many photo updates to come from the land of...pizza cones(?) in December! Stay tuned!
~KafkA
Graham Smith is a Voluntaryist activist, creator, and peaceful parent residing in Niigata City, Japan. Graham runs the "Voluntary Japan" online initiative with a presence here on Steem, as well as Facebook and Twitter. (Hit me up so I can stop talking about myself in the third person!)