Though I was raised in a small town, I much prefer the fast-paced anonymity and autonomy I have in large cities. Being here in Yuzawa, Japan, is a serious change of pace, a tiny sliver of Tokyo, a sleepy town of 50,000. Because of this, I no longer have minor urban luxuries at my disposal and am at the mercy of my hosts in terms of pretty much everything… But after a really active visit in Tokyo, it’s kind of nice not worrying about train schedules, meal choices, navigation, and time management. Honestly, though my Instagram leads people to believe I’m still in a hub of activity, I’m not doing much of anything this week except swinishly eating my friends’ food, playing with their children, and following them on excursions to hot springs and noodle joints… I am just riding someone else’s river, and for once, that’s okay.

Look at me, giving up control. Maybe I still have that small-town kid in me, after all.