Kyoto

DAY OF IN KYOOOOTOOOOOOO 

Like most of the trips I take there was no planning to this. I had a rough patch with the fam so I called my mate in Japan for an escape...within 11 hours I was on my way to Japan for a couple months with my first stop in Kyoto for couple days sorting out a long overdue catch up. 

Lucky for me, Japan from Nov to Jan is pretty pleasant. You have the amazing fall foliage, a nice winter, and tons of great celebrations for the New Year. Best of all, I was seeing some people that I hadn't seen in years! I landed hungry and took the hotel staff recommendation for some nearby ramen....My GOD. It was one of the best ramen shops I'd ever been to.  This trip was already off to an amazing start. 

With no agenda, I just wandered. I had done Kyoto before so much of this was like seeing an old friend, walked the same paths, enjoyed the same scenes, and used the time to reflect on how much and how little both of us had changed. 

Aimlessly walking all day hours at a time down little streets and alley ways, down river banks and really wherever my mood took me. There was something pleasant about not having an agenda, just me and however far my legs would take me. 

My best Erik Reeves impression and a reference that only makes sense to 2 people

Ladies and gentlethems, after 9 long years....

MAYOOOOOWAAAAAAAA SANNNNNN!!!!

9 years prior to this Mayowa and I met in California, he was getting ready to head to Japan to have a go at starting his life over. Didnt know anyone, didnt have a plan, didnt know any Japanese....he just had a dream.   Flashforward nearly a decade and his fluency in Japanese was so impressive, everyone commented on it everywhere we went. On top of it, he is making his living as a very well known singer!!!

Talk about following your dreams!!! 

facts.