If You could go anywhere in the world, where would you go?
“JAPAN“
They say there is no such thing as a stupid Question.
It was supposed to be simple. You know the question I ask every year to get a feel of where we are going during the summer.
Just one of those random dinner table conversations that usually lasts about thirty seconds before someone starts arguing over the last biscuit or asking for dessert. I wasn’t expecting much. Most kids dream about Disney, the beach, or even a random water park somewhere close enough to drive. Not these guys.
Instead, everyone at the table leaned forward like they had been waiting their whole lives for someone to ask that question.
The answers flew so fast my head was spinning. One person talking over another, hands in the air, everyone explaining exactly why their destination was the best. Each voice climbed higher until I wasn’t sure at all where one conversation ended and another began.
I sat back with coffee in hand listening, I realized no one was asking about white-water rafting, or even the Grand Canyon. They were talking about seeing the world. The entire other side of the world.
Somewhere between the anime, photography, volcanoes, and Godzilla, I realized this wasn’t just another family vacation conversation.
The chaos at the table exploded like a squirrel on expresso as I ask why Japan?
“I like the food and samurai, and Japan is like Anime Heaven!” Trenton rolls out his reasoning like a pro. “You know Anime was created in Japan and they have whole stores with just Anime, original Anime!” You know the books I read? They read them from back to front, just thought you should know.”
Nicole puts her two cents in “I like Japanese food too” followed by “Is there really Anime in Heaven? Did they die and go to Heaven? That makes me sad.” But I want to go to Japan too, do they have a Buc-ees there? Can I bring my Beaver?
Amber’s eyes light up. She is already planning the pictures she can take from the top of Mt. Fuji. The sunrise, the temples, the city lights—she is halfway to Japan before we even leave the kitchen table. Her and Nicole talk about the beautiful colors, big cities, and Temples.
Ray asks about Godzilla when everyone stopped to breathe.
I looked around the table and couldn’t help but smile.
One wanted anime and samurai. One was already planning photographs from the top of Mt. Fuji. One was worried about whether anime characters went to Heaven and whether Japan had a Buc-ee’s. Pappy only needed to know if we could see Godzilla.
Different reasons. Different dreams.
But for the first time, everyone wanted the same destination.
Japan.
The funny thing was they didn’t know Japan was already on my bucket list
The only problem was that nobody had stopped to ask how we were actually going to get there.
They were about to.
Chapter 2:
Do you realize how much it costs to go to Japan?