Summer: Warm Encounters

This year's summer break has been the best I've had in Japan or at least ever since I got to spend for my trips on my own. But while scanning through a thousand travel photos on my phone and camera, I realized that travel is made even more special with people you are with and those you encounter.

Izumo, Shimane

Other than its quiet and laidback atmosphere, the beauty of Izumo lies on its people. Our going there wasn't as carefully planned as it should have been. It's much farther from Tokyo and would honestly cost us more. But my oneechan convinced me that it will be worthwhile. I also happen to have a friend living in Izumo and I thought it will be a good opportunity for a catch up. 

This Izumo friend drove us around and went out of her way for us to be able to spend a memorable day around the area. She as usual welcomed us with warmth and excitement sharing the history and stories of her hometown here and there. She is also naturally funny. Her quirks still make me giggle. I also thought that she is aging backwards. She looked more glowing than the last time I saw her six years ago. I would want to age like her - full of zest in life. 

Junkooooooo 💓

Later that night, I and oneechan went out of the hotel for dinner. We went to this izakaya located just around the corner. This izakaya has a more modern touch considering it's in the countryside. We also supposed that the staff are a mother and a son. Anyway, what almost brought me to tears was the okaasan's gesture. 

I wanted to have another one of that edible flower served with the sashimi which oneechan ordered. I don't eat sashimi so it would be impossible to have just the flower. But the okaasan gave me not just one but two edible flowers. Actually, this was after she joked about me having to pay extra for it. 

To top that, she handed us these keychains made by her friend. A souvenir from Izumo people she said. But it didn't stop there, I noticed that our chopsticks cover were watercolor painted. So I told the the okaasan that I'm bringing them home. Without hesitation, she gave me the other covers with different designs so I could have the complete set.

Can I just cry now? 😭💕

The next day. The hotel where we stayed at has a cafe on the first floor. This hotel feels like a homestay, a BnB. It's not the usual tall buildings with cramped rooms. It is more of a shared house. It's only 2-storey with 6 rooms on the 2nd floor. And this one is exclusively for female travelers. Our booking included a breakfast. We were also checking out this day so we just brought all of our stuff down and leave after having breakfast.

Our hotel meal included sunny side ups. And here, the best way to consume it is to spray some soy sauce on it which they readily served. I don't really like that. So, I asked for kewpie mayonnaise which how I usually have my eggs with. The two okaasans hurriedly went back to the kitchen and looked for the kewpie. And tadaaaaa my wish was granted. Then one of the okaasans also gave us a souvenir in celebration of the hotel cafe's first anniversary. Upon checkout, we chatted a bit and they wished us a good trip. 

Shirahama, Izu

I booked this place which looks like a cozy beachfront house. This has rooms at the back that's really giving me that summer feels. I definitely made the right choice. But what made this place extra special and homey are the ones running it, the couple Aoki-san and Keiko-san. They're both in their late 70s and are still as active as you can ever imagine. 

Aoki-san offered to give us a ride on our way back to the train station. That means we just saved about an hour of time and about a thousand yen of bus fare. And instead of driving on the main road, Aoki-san took that route where we could see wild monkeys on the way. We chatted in the car and laughed at some random topics. When we bid goodbye, Aoki-san was standing by his car waving. It was like saying goodbye to your father knowing he will be there on that spot waiting for us to come back home.

ありがとうございます。💕

I haven't had such warm encounters in Tokyo. I'm already used to Japan's omotenashi that it's actually easier for me to tell if the person is just being polite or is naturally kind. Politeness is necessary and can be a learned skill or values but kindness sticks with us and hits us to the core. It creates a ripple. It makes the world look more beautiful and full of hope.

How sentimental! 😁

Warm summer indeed. 🌞

Thank you God for allowing me to meet really nice people. 💓🙏