As with any places that one may visit, it is with the people that you meet along the way that makes it unforgettable. While I can take the pictures of the beautiful places I have been to and bring them back home, it is the friends that I make in this journey that helps me to stay connected to this great, big and amazing world I am currently trekking on.

Japan took my breath away.

Seeing Mt Fuji was amazing, having a 10 days meditation retreat in the mountains of Kyoto was amazing, walking down the colourful streets of Tokyo was amazing, sitting on warm toilet seats was amazing, seeing the beautiful temples with histories dating back to hundreds of years was amazing, barbecuing meat on the rooftop in the cold was amazing, seeing snowflakes falling down from the sky for the very first time in my life was amazing, but none of those can compare to the people whom I have met and befriended. The people, were priceless.

A country known for its amazingly accommodating and helpful people, making friends was as simple as offering a smile to a perfect stranger. Literally. I am so thankful for the people that I have been so blessed to know in my one month there. The love, kindness and compassion that flows so unconditionally from them has not only restored my faith in mankind, it has also inspired and taught me how to truly live my life the right way. Without all the complications that are thrown at us on a daily basis, I have learnt how to love simply because it should come naturally FROM us, not out of any obligations or influences that is AROUND us. I have learnt how to see things with my HEART and not just with my MIND. I have learnt how to take in and enjoy the PRESENT, and not be bogged down by my PAST and worry excessively about my FUTURE.

While the physical bag I am carrying on this journey may be heavy, the spiritual fruits I have collected so far has brought a surreal lightness to my feet, urging me to run and continue on this great big adventure, thirsting for more and more amazing encounters to come, more and more lessons to be learnt.

Thank you my new friends, and may we see each other again soon.