I discarded 99% of my material things. Stuffed the remainder of my life in two suitcases. Boarded a one way flight from JFK to NRT. And never looked back. Until tonight.
Tonight is the first time I have a need for this suitcase since unpacking and starting my life in Tokyo. June 18th, is the exact date. I just now noticed the TSA sticker.
A part of me doesn’t want to cut off the tag. It’s part nostalgia. And sadness maybe. My life has changed so much in the short six months I’ve been here.
This hesitation to off the tag, is me holding onto memories. It’s time to cut those ties and embrace the new ones to come.
New York will always have a piece of me.
But Tokyo owns me now.
Starting tomorrow, I am traveling around Japan.
Looking forward to sharing my journey.
Happy holidays — and Merry Christmas — to all!
Filed Under
Other moments in Tokyo
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Conversations, World Affairs, Culture
"I'm from Libya," he said. I don't know what to say. It's as if he'd told me he'd just come from his father's funeral.
in Tokyo, Japan -
The first specialty coffee shop in Ikebukuro and Junkudo (bookstore) resonate.
in Tokyo, Japan -
film, edit
Editing is interpreting.
in Tokyo, Japan -
The Riddle of Steel.
in Tokyo, Japan -
Commutes, Cities, Underground
The man stands motionless in a crush of white-shirted salarymen, as they swarm past him, toward the single escalator.
in Tokyo, Japan -
Reve, japan, Centre commercial piscine
Rêve de centre commercial-piscine
in Tokyo, Japan -
Urban Nature, birds
Sparrow Noise
in Tokyo, Japan -
City walks
Birthday walk home
in Tokyo, Japan -
Dead Letter, Addiction
"Dear Cigarettes"
in Tokyo, Japan