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I don't think I've told everyone yet, so I'll announce it here.
We're going to Japan!
Well, I'll take that back -- I don't want to jinx anything. We have tickets to go to Japan.
Anything could happen between now and when we go, considering the state of affairs overseas. Things are heating up in North Korea, and Japan is on edge.
But we're excited nonetheless.
I was last in Japan in 1979. My dad's tour of duty had just ended, and we were headed back to the States. Before we left, we traveled outside of Sendai, where my mom's family lived, to visit her mom. That was the first and last time I met my grandmother Kimi, whom I remember quite vividly despite the short stay.
Stephen and I don't know where we're going yet, but we're flying into Tokyo Narita and staying in Tokyo for most of the trip. We are not looking forward to the 18-hour flight. I'd like to visit one other major city, but we haven't decided which one yet.
I've read it's hard to get around Japan if you're not familiar with how things work there. Aside from the obvious language barrier, many streets aren't named. I don't get lost easily, though, since I rely almost completely on landmarks, buildings and memory to get around rather than compass directions. I think it might be a fun adventure to try to navigate my way around. I can't wait.