First landing

Last night arrival left an impression of a hot and humid weather on my skin. I was sweating profusely in the train but managed my 2 connections at Tokyo station and Ueno station without getting lost. It was around 8pm so plenty of suited salarymen around. It was easier to spot the casual dressed workers and tourists. Also met my first drunken salaryman at Asakusa station, but the stationmaster kindly helped him through the gates and toward his train. So far everyone i approached with my broken japanese was very kind. I still need to find a SIM card as I couldn't find one in Narita.

Tokyo, here I come

After many long months of debating and searching for a decent ticket for Japan, I finally decided on using my £250 voucher from AF (thanks striking pilots!), and booked my economy, non changeable ticket to the far east.

My month of May should be quite interesting indeed. I even have the possibility to participate in a homestay program for a week, and experience what it is to be ina Japanese family. Part of the attraction is to eat homecooking food! And maybe to learn some as well.

The only scary and appalling part? I only have 20kg checked luggage allowed!!! Hopefully it will be a warm spring season, though I'll miss the cherry blossom viewing (unless I go north to Hokkaido). But I guess I won't be carrying to heavy souvenirs on my way back.

Counting the days (and counting the calories not to eat, as I don't wanna be the fattest person there)...asian people are so thin, even my arm would give them a heart attack. It will be a full culture shock for me, but I do not want to shock them either by being foreign, dar skinned, AND fat...grrrrr..at least I'd liek to fit in my nice clothes...from 3 years ago. resolution? no...necessity.

Wedding in Savoie

After 7 years....

Highlights and favourites of my trip to Indonesia

Of course, there are so many things I learned and enjoyed during those 2 weeks. But mainly I am glad I shared those emotions with these fantastic people.



These are the times worth living for.

There were of course a whole adventure for the palate, and I am happy my stomach held everything, thanks for all the good bacterias I have accumulated all my life eating junk food on the streets.


And island hopping is definetely an exciting activity, especially when I get to see so much sun days in a row! But there were more than just beaches in Bali. Temples, crafts, so many luxurious (ahem) plants, the smell of fresh air, sensual tastes,...



I felt I was both at home and lost in the infinite universe. Time didn't stop, time didn't exist. I woke up at peace, and went to sleep content. I tried to take some actions to help the ones around me, trying not to be too much of a spectator, but really, it was also very rewarding just to watch, and feel so much emotions. I am so grateful words, a smile and warm tears are not enough to convey how I feel.




Terima kasih

Spring in Panam

It's been a while since I felt the warmth of a sping sun, and an hour south of Londonium was very much sunny as the season was well advanced. I re-disocvered Notre Dame from the outside ins; ate gyros, crepes, kaiten sushi, pomme de pain sandwich, daloyau ice cream, macarons, and lazied up in Luxembourg garden like in the old times. Even managed to get my dose of Louvre for probably another decade. It probably helped to pretend to be a tourguide for this tourist.


It was a bit nostalgic and I sometimes felt 14 again at times...how strange!

What I did last Autumn

Fudgemaking in Baltimore, MD:


Library of Congress and Arlington cemetery in Washington DC:


Crazy night out in Montreal:

Lone star

I feel very lucky that there are so many places/people I feel at home and at ease with. I am traveling great distances at times and finding the company of old friends so soothing and comforting. They are my real destinations. Maybe am finding out what happiness is in its infinitely small unassuming quiet appearance.

It is not the long journey that makes the destination more rewarding. The journey brings about the physical challenges, the time for reflection and retrospective, the rest that awaken the eyes. It makes me consider the value of what has been left behind, and what is worth coming back to.

I often feel anonymous on a journey, a blank slate ready for any imprint. New faces, attitudes, emotions that reflect or clash against my own. I bask in adventurous foods, dances, beliefs. I often find beauty that give me faith in life and people. But I don't stay because there is more elsewhere to live.