Thoughts On #1

Life is an interesting thing.

It's hard and beautiful and just made of contrasts overall.

It can change from one side to the other in a brief sequence of time, up, down, left, right. Peace, storm, peace again. Happy, sad, loved, lonely, hopeful and stuck.

All of us, everyone, with this little, elaborate own world inside of us. Coming with us, wherever we go. Complicated in structure like spiderwebs and pipes, delicate like strings of yarn.

We spend much time trying to untangle the knots just to see them again once we think it's all set and store it in our pockets.

Maybe we are putting effort into things that are not what deserve so much attention. Or maybe we get caught up in our own personal dramas. In times like this, I like to stop and look around: it's then that I remember that we are all in the same place and situation.

Yes some have more or some have less (of whatever), but we are essentially the same. Just an animal species called humans that populate planet Earth and act on their own interest most of the time. Let's try to not overcomplicate things. Let's be more caring, less jealous. Let's be grateful to learn about our brothers and sisters, smile (even if it's only inside) and think positively too. Today, tomorrow, or sometime this month or year the "dark, lonely, what the hell I am doing here, what is my life moment" will come. You have to know. It's a given, for sure it will be there. The time you may not see a way out but let me tell you, even if you're alone in your own life, you're not alone in feeling that way. But you know what? Soon comes tomorrow, and we all know that tomorrow means chance. You'll be just fine. It doesn't matter how smart you are, if you went to an Ivy League university or you've been living in a small rural town all of your life. You can always make a change to your own day if you treat it with mindfulness, gratefulness and love. You may even touch someone's heart and you'll never know! How cool is that, you everyday hero?

It's easy to forget, that me and you are the same, that you and your boss are the same, your mom, the child at school, the elderly queueing at the food bank and the Lamborghini guy too. No exception. Whatever else, is just plastic.

Comparison just leads to rage. It's inevitable these days, but it's important to remember to draw a line on our selfishness. Don't judge others if it's not for positive means. Keep mindful and objective. Don't take things personally and do good. You'll always receive more than you give.

The lady who travels to Korea to get botox injections and the lady with the messy hair and clothes who looks like she didn't shower for a month who buys groceries at the supermarket late at night and doesn't even look at the cashier when she says "Thank you for your purchase" are the same person.

It doesn't matter, it's all superficial. In such a plastic society that I find myself surrounded in in my everyday I call out to humanity and vulnerability. Be kind. They're rude and you feel hurt? Battle them with kindness. You can take your time.

The other day, while walking to the workplace, I noticed a common scene: dogs and owners. Seen it many times, but this once something different came to mind: "Who the hell are we to call ourselves owners of other life-beings when we cannot even deal with our own lives?". We are only owners of our actions. We'll make a hell of a load of mistakes with them, but it's up to us to deal with them.

I look around and I see people, this bipedal species who have a slightly developed brain and have a taste for control. Control time, world, nature, resources, others... just to see negative effects on its surroundings so far. Be careful, greed gets to your head, human. It's dangerous the let only one person be in power (see dictatorships). What can start off just fine may get messed up with the variability of brain chemicals and just life situations. We are not always the same and that's how it should be. We are constantly evolving and that's why it's important to be surrounded by the right influences.

Me, I'm on a quest for balance. I'm still far from it in many ways. I'm sleep deprived, overworked, and my health is going down. It's funny because in such a place I work everyone looks perfect and drive the most expensive cars. In such a contrast, I realized many things, light and dark, and one is that we are losing our humanity. I'm not happy with the situation, it's weird and uncomfortamble, so, personally, I realized I need to move on to next chapter out of this life-consuming work situation. Why am I taking this so seriously? I don't like this environment so I'll keep trying my best to change it and keep looking for something that fits my way of thinking. My motivation and will doesn't come from me, really. It's those around me, my loved ones, that give me the will to keep trying even if stomping into walls. I'll be sad and I'll cry again and again, but you know what? It only gets better from here. It's all in what you make of things. I'm really fortunate to have caring people in my life.

Everyone does what they want with themselves and their things, and that can't be changed, but I believe it to be important to be aware. From time to time, stop, get out you're little shelled marvellous own and unique world and consider that you're only one more. What is really important? What can you contribute to? Do you have some world changing mission? Either be the whole planet or your own little cute world you're in charge of yourself and the consequences of your acts. So stop for a moment, breathe, and remind yourself of what drives you on and on. Go forth!

Life is an interesting thing, and I am grateful to experience it.


Love,

B.

About Lost in Translation

**Music to listen to**

Recently, there was this film showing in my friend's university. It was something like one film a week thing, and she invited me to see one she was curious about. A film that I had already seen multiple times, both alone and with other people. To be exact, it was the 6th or 7th time I was watching it. But this time was different. Well, to be honest, every time I watch it it is different and brings me different feelings and details. It depends on the situation I am in, the moment in life, I notice one thing or the other, but there's something that absolutely always remains the same. Regardless of that, I've enjoyed it every time and I keep going back to it as time goes on. Why? Well, we all have something we feel attracted to without exactly knowing why. 

As per usual, I will divide the post in some parts, and it will be full of images because Sofia Coppola's aesthetics are my definition of aesthetics.

Today I want to talk about Lost in Translation.

The opening scene

(Spoilers everywhere, proceed with caution) 

Welcome to the magic, still, thoughtful and dreamy reality driven world of Lost in Translation.

Why does the film start with a shot of Scarlett's knickers? Consider how Charlotte is feeling as the film opens, especially in relation to her new husband. Was she hoping the Tokyo trip would be a honeymoon? How can he be so un-distracted by her (she might be thinking), as she lolls about their hotel room sensuously? 

It's a work trip and she's just tagging along. He's trying to work and has hinted that he doesn't have time for her - but she longs for that not to be the case. She's lonely - and very beautiful and sexy and smart and doesn't want to be an afterthought. At the same time, she understands she's being irrational - that he's there to work.

These are the circumstances, the conflict that us being set up in the first scene. The shot might be a clue about whose side the director (and so, the audience) is on.

It's worth noting that the director is a woman who has shown a great sensitivity to the inner life of her characters - not limited to her female characters, though she has often focused on women, especially young women. The shot then is not without irony - this is NOT the "male gaze," after all, though it's composed almost as a detail of a classic reclining nude artwork, yet at the same time with a more sensuous, softer, dreamier feeling. It's sexual but I would argue not at all from a male perspective. Rather, Charlotte is choosing - trying desperately, if subtly - to attract the gaze of her husband. She can't do it, but Coppola makes sure that she has our attention - and sympathy, for who does not sometimes want to be seen sensually and sexually.

And it all begins...

I understand that face so well x)

Lost in Translation is a Sofia Coppola film from 2003 and the first of hers I watched. Sofia Coppola stands out for her unique aesthetic sense that she applies into her works (I confess I quoted  The Virgin Suicides in my teenage years and secretly tried to adopt their aesthetics and aura while listening to Marie Antoinette's fantastic soundtrack). 

Quiet, mysterious, suggerent, still, subtly intense, Sofia Coppola's aesthetic choice sure fits with me (if you're familiar with her image, you'll see my references everywhere).

What does the title Lost in Translation literally mean? Means something was lost when a message was translated. It could refer to translation from one language to another, or from one medium to another, or in a more figurative sense it could refer to a message losing meaning when translated from one person's understanding to another's. It's also commonly used to mean that 'information was lost', perhaps by error. 

***Music***

What is it about?

Bill Murray deserves all the recognition for being such a great actor! His humour is witty and hilarious

A fading movie star with a sense of emptiness (Bill Murray), and a neglected young wife (Scarlett Johansson) meet as strangers in a foreign country (Tokyo) and form an unlikely bond. Most of the movie revolves around them and subtly presents itself in their various conversations/meetings.

I would describe it as very anecdotic, it doesn't have a "closed topic" sense when it finishes, you're left thinking, "Oh, is this the end?", I found it very surprising in that sense.

The cinematography, the soundtrack, and most of all, the chemistry between Bill Murray and Scarlett Johansson make this one gem of a film.

It's just a beautiful story of two lost souls and that's what made it great.

You never know who will see something in you

Relationships

"You're not hopeless"

Love and enjoyment can be found in the strangest, most unthinkable places on Earth and it can be found with anybody. Sometimes you have to search for happiness, but if you are lucky enough it will come.

Age, location and background have no real bearing on human emotions and how you choose to live your life.

Bill is a worn-out actor (and father) with a wife who constantly complains. He's so washed up he has to do appearances in Japanese game-shows. He wants something more, but doesn't notice it until he meets someone else who's younger that also wants more: Scarlett Johansson's character.

Charlotte married really young (she just got out of college and studied philosophy), and she's being tagged along by her photographer husband to a country she has to explore by herself... until she meets Bill.

The dynamic is that they bond over how ridiculous life seems. Depends on how you see it, it's not a romantic bond; it's a social one. One "Lost" in how we "translate" into life in a meaningful way. 

John (Giovanni Ribisi) is a professional photographer. Kelly (Anna Faris) is a model and singer. Given the context of the working relationship between a professional photographer and a model, it does not necessarily imply that they had an affair. However, the tightness shown by John when he met Kelly along with Charlotte (Scarlett Johansson) implies that there is 'something' that John wanted to hide from Charlotte. Charlotte figured that out well from John's expression. What was John trying to hide? It's unclear. Probably John and Kelly had an affair, or possibly, they hadn't.

The most important point conveyed through that sequence was that both John and Charlotte weren't meant for each other. While Charlotte was deep, thoughtful, and thinker, John was outgoing, pompous, and shallow. That sequence was a clear indication that John was not a good match for Charlotte.

Sublime and poignant, Lost in Translation makes the viewer feel the isolation and connection that Bob and Charlotte have in a completely foreign (in more ways than one) country. Emotionally detached from their significant others, they find comfort in each other and form a platonic bond that helps them to understand themselves better.

***Another song for the OST of this post***

Loneliness

I would say this is the main theme of the film.

Bob and Charlotte are lonely. Unsatisfied. Each to their own worlds, have this sense of emptiness that makes them confused and unable to enjoy life fully, it is a drawback. Bob is older and has much more experience, which makes him kind of accept that, keep still and indifferent, resigned.

Charlotte, in her newfound discontentment, feels cheated, not by others, but by herself. She cannot see what's going on that makes her feel that way and feels that there's something wrong with her.

The difference here is that Charlotte struggles to search for a reason. She tries and tries over again but only ends up at the same point she started frustrated.

“I just feel so alone, even when I’m surrounded by other people.”

Oh sweet Charlotte, listening to "Find your path in life" CD's and trying to make sense out of nothing... That struck a chord (I wish I could tell her it's going to be okay x) )

Both are craving real connection, which is something that they are lacking and will change their lives for ever.

They go their separate ways, so it could seem that nothing has changed in the end, but the truth is, that inside them, they have been able to open their eyes to real things, to what they needed to find.

I just feel like it transmits the feeling of isolation very well.

One of the key scenes: life advice for Charlotte.

Love

Now, what I loved the most and have seen the same way since the first time I watched the film when it came out is their chemistry, it's special. 

I wouldn't know if it's romantic, but to a certain degree, I guess it depends on the person who watches it. To me, it essentially is a romantic movie. They definitely get to love each other, they feel an authentic affection that you just get to feel with a few random people that you didn't expect at all and came into your life by surprise. 

You can just feel the genuine relationship that builds up between them and I, just think, they, are, cute   x). I don't know exactly how to explain it! They are lovely when it comes to each other. They just like and care about each other. And it comes suddenly, unexpected and it just feels like you go with their flow.

And that makes it very candid and beautiful.

Why I love Lost in Translation

Bill, a famous actor, found it difficult to adapt to Japanese style of acting and also couldn't get easily used to Japanese lifestyle. Scarlett, a bright Yale graduate, was confused about her marriage and the philosophy of life. She seemed lost, although her exploratory mind helped her trying different things (e.g. visiting Buddhist Monastery). Both of them met at a time when most of the things of their lives looked hazy. They became good friends, tried crazy stuff, and worked their way out of boredom, sadness, and tiredness.

The movie did a fantastic job of conveying the uneasy, uncomfortable sense of awkwardness that was the essence of the story. Watching it, you feel a strange sense of not really belonging (as a viewer) but then again it kept you watching trying to find your bearings.

And then you realized that you identified with the characters in the movie. They had that same sense of awkward non-belonging in a place that was not bad, but not home. Clever direction and excellent acting made a movie that told its story in a cerebral and experiential way.  

Personally I relate to the feelings conveyed by Charlotte, feeling detached and confused.

I thought of it as a perfect vehicle to explain the meat of Albert Camus' absurdism to other people. The intimacy shared between the viewer, Bob, and Charlotte helps the viewer understand the necessary context for absurdist philosophy. It reminds us of how miraculous human friendship can be, and how the human condition that we are condemned to need not be experienced alone. We become reacquainted with all that is good in life when we hold these sort of 'innocent affairs' with others -- there is a profound beauty in authentic solidarity.

The more I watch the film, the more I notice these things. One thing that struck me in my most recent rewatching of the film was that when Bob sleeps with the hotel lounge singer, we feel a sense of betrayal not to his wife, but actually Charlotte. Coppola managed during the film to shift our sense of loyalty and our recognition of what is valuable in life by contrasting the dull, mindless phone conversations with Bob's wife to the subtle authenticity shared between Bob and Charlotte.


The disorientation caused by the silence and lack of communication is a necessary element in setting up the context of the film. It is this silence and lack of authentic communication that sets a proper backdrop to highlight the beauty in Bob and Charlotte's relationship.

"Lets never come here again, 'cause it would never be as much fun."

The scene with the Japanese director's long talk translated into a single sentence, "Turn and look at the camera" is so telling! As in acting, the small details are necessary in a relationship to make it successful! Both Bob's wife and Charlotte's husband are busy with their own things (kids and career) and cannot give time to their spouses, making them feel uncared and lonely. This emotional similarity, and their shared nationality (amplified in a foreign land), helps them empathize with each other. You're left feeling sad that responsibilities and age difference prevent them from being together.

***Music***

Is Lost in Translation intended to be perceived as a sad movie?

Look at the title. There is something singular about the whole experience. It can't be explained, it is lost in translation, not just of language but of culture. And putting some kind of singular relationship in the middle is also beyond explanation. My opinion only; that's why the final line from Bill Murray to Scarlett is left to the imagination, so it can be what it 'needs' to be for our translation.

It's definitely melancholy, but I think the main point is about recognizing the characters' two life crises, Bob Harris' mid-life crisis and Charlotte's post-school crisis, and how they handle that. It ends on an optimistic note, I'd say.

So, do I perceive the film as "sad"? There is sadness in the film, to be sure, and melancholy, which is a bit different, as well as happiness, lust, disappointment, wisdom - in other words, it's not just one thing. My experience of watching the film is multi-faceted - I find I have a lot of empathy for the characters and so feel some of what they're feeling. I find this exhilarating, though, which is why I find the film successful.

That is, rather than emphasizing one feeling, the film is a resonant, emotional journey - one suffused with sadness, to be sure, but also hope and growth.

How can Bill Murray with an owl plushie not make you happy!?

However, Lost in Translation is not intended to be perceived as a "sad" movie. This movie does not mourn the downsides of life, instead it reflects that at every corner of life, charms, adventures, and relationships can make you happy, leaving all the sadness, melancholy, and guilt behind, at least temporarily. 

Also, I think the movie shows that how strangers can be your best friends at the times when you are tired of monotonous routine of your daily life.This is a fascinating thing about strangers. They don't know about your past, and you don't know about their pasts, too. It all begins from that moments you meet them . As long as you find them interesting and they find you interesting, you can work your way out of melancholia and have fresh perspectives on life, work, and beyond.

***Music***

Are Bob and Charlotte lovers?

Yes, their love is a profound one -- in that it transcends the erotic. 

Maybe it's platonic, but it's a mature romance for sure.

Bob and Charlotte’s climactic ‘sensation of completeness’ with all of life, their acceptance of the death of their relationship and their acknowledgement of the boulders waiting for them at the bottom of the mountain as each returns to separate lives alone, swallowed by the crowd again, is nearly wordless and expressed solely through their gestures. It is this melancholy beauty emanating from Bob and Charlotte’s final farewell that strikes us as human beings; this sadness is a sense of loss which emerges after having lost hold of what they are missing from the rest of their lives. However melancholy, the human condition is not a bleak one. That we can share these sorts of genuine affairs with other individuals, that we need not bear the human condition on our own, is a miracle of authentic companionship. As Bob walks backwards and lets out a final heartfelt and beaming smile at Charlotte’s composed mixture of laughter and tears, one cannot help but “conclude that all is well” and declare this relationship as one of love. 

In one key scene, Bill tells Scarlett to keep doing whatever she feels like doing: writing, music, taking pictures... She will eventually find what she needs to find, and, above all, she will be fine.

As Kierkegaard wrote in his Diapsalmata: 

What is youth? A dream. What is love? The dream's content. 

we can call this 'content' the pure flame of life -- the beautiful potency of life you feel when you hold another's hand, running as silhouettes bathed in the light of Tokyo's omnipresent electronic billboards; the silent trembling air between two individuals laying down contemplating and laughing at life; the charming restlessness caused by looking at each other as one croons to the lyrics of a song to another, and the uncertainty that follows as you cannot help but keep trying to catch a glimpse of the other out of the corner of your eye and experience the content of that dream. 

The two characters were written and portrayed to be more lucid than the rest of the society that surrounds them. They carried this pure flame of life with them. Therefore, if lovers represent the epitome of authentic companionship, then Bob and Charlotte are most certainly lovers.

One of my favourite scenes

In one of my favourite scenes, Bill take's Charlotte hand and they start running out of a bar. They don't know where they are or where they are going but as long as they are together, they are fine

Sofia Coppola never depicts any sexual relationship between Bob and Charlotte, but the film does imply that there is an emotional intimacy between Bob and Charlotte that could be viewed as a betrayal of the relationships with their respective spouses.  Bob also commits adultery against his real-life wife by having sex with a female jazz singer, but the way the movie is structured, it feels more like an affront against Charlotte than against Bob's wife, whom we never see.

Thus, however, ultimately it is up to you to see how you want to perceive it.

What is true, is that Bob acts as a support for Charlotte and the same (although unconsciously) happens in the opposite way.

Great advice

I feel you

***Music***

At the end, what does Bob whisper into Charlotte's ear?

The ending kept me wanting for more. It is left to the viewer to imagine what Bob must have said to Charlotte, which is smart! I was expecting the movie to end with Bob and Charlotte spending a passionate night together, but that never happened, and made the movie feel more real.

This is a hot question on the web, and it was answered by someone who enhanced the video from the movie. Here's a clip from one of several bloggers who wrote about this story:

The words that Bill Murray whispers to Scarlett Johansson at the end of Lost in Translation are one of those great movie mysteries, something you’ll never know and never needed to know. We didn’t hear what he said but we got the idea, and what we thought of in our heads was better than anything Sofia Coppola could have written.

Well, now some geeks with some technology have gone and ruined the mystery, slowing down and digitally altering the scene to reveal exactly what Bill Murray whispers. Don’t want to know? OK, quit reading. I have a feeling, though, like I was, you’re dying to know.

OK, the big sentence: “I have to be leaving, but I won’t let that come between us. OK?”

Wow. Not only is that anti-climactic—pretty much what we all assumed he was saying—it doesn’t really make any sense. Isn’t the whole implication that he’ll never see her again? Isn’t the fact that he’s leaving coming between them in the most literal way possible?

The end really doesn't affect rest of the movie in the slightest, though. It leaves you wondering , how do you imagine the time spent together by Bob and Charlotte in Lost in Translation affected their lives afterward?

...and it all has and end

To finish with, I just want to say that with this my intention was transmitting my love for this film. And Bob, and Charlotte. It has something that makes me emotional.

Beauty

Lost in Translation is a pleasure for the senses in every way possible: the pictures, the music, the dialogue, the story... it creates and atmosphere of its own (as every Sofia Coppola's film) and sucks you in. Enjoy the colourful, beautifully detailed, and bittersweet world of her movies.

What was different this time, was that after my trip I felt familiar with some places shown, I could understand what they were saying (not in the basic sense, of course) and I could somehow relate in a deeper level than I had before.

Now, I also understand is not for everybody, like everything in this world. From the 4 people I watched it with, just 1, the last, has honestly been able to say that "it was somehow strange, but I enjoyed it". The other people have all coincided on the same point: it feels slow to them ("boring", in a way). I hope it can be appreciated anyways!

I encourage you to watch it if you haven't already and enjoy its beautiful shot scenes, magnificent soundtrack and wonderful acting.

Thank you, Sofia Coppola, for your work, and everyone involved in it. I'm glad we can enjoy this for years to come. 

And if you still haven't watched the film and you are down here, go watch it!! Discover it for yourself :)

Hope you enjoyed and see you,




B.

Goodbye

Tokyo Days (III)

***Listen to this***

Youkoso!!! (Japanese for welcome) to the last part of the trilogy Tokyo Days :D

Tokyo Days (III)

Jumping right in it, today I want to write about one of my best experiences in Japan so far: nature.

One day after class I decided to visit a nice traditional Japanese garden, so I started searching for some nice ones. I was torn between two, specially, but little did I know that I would have the chance to visit them both days later :D

So first, I finally choose the most well-known garden, called Rikugien. At around 2pm I took my umbrella and stopped at the basement of the mall to buy a bento box (set of nice varied food) and some onigiri (rice balls), then, I headed for the train. After 40 minutes or so I arrived to the destination station and walked to the gardens.

When I saw the entrance gate I already felt it would be great.

Although the day was gray and it started raining shortly after entering, the place was stunning. You can really tell they arrange everything in a certain aesthetic way.

I let myself get lost in that oasis in the middle of busy Tokyo until around 5pm...

(The pictures are not as good as they should, sorry!)

I decided to eat lunch on this bench. I was completely alone the whole time and it was great. Shortly after an insect came and it freaked the shit out of me (insects here are HUGE)

After walking for a while I found this little place where you can have a drink and some wagashi (traditional Japanese confectionery)

I chilled under the rain with my hot matcha tea and delicious anko filled wagashi <3 Happy times

This little place is heaven

There weren't many people so it was even more peaceful. A boy was drawing, a coupled of old people were taking a walk... The gardens close at 5pm so when I came out it was already closed if people wanted to go in. It was a day in which I could feel some pressure in my head, but it totally evaporated while in here, it is definitely one of my happy places. 

Going back to the station, after that I met with friends to go eat okonomiyaki :D

So days passed and I finished my classes and graduated!

Homework is OK with a view

Graduation day!

After that I spend a few days off around basically roaming around wherever I wanted. I actually had time to spend in places :3

Spent a whole morning looking for and selecting manga

I don't know what this is but Japan is cute things land

Night spent roaming around with C are a fond memory. Half confused half excited, I was truly happy. This is in Shinjuku:

We liked Shinjuku a lot!

Hi from Shinjuku

The red light district

I was so impressed by seeing 5 (!!!!!) vending machines together!!! There's at least one in every street, but this!?? I miss them

The last day I met with my host sister, we had to cancel our plans to go where we wanted to go, but I suggested to go somewhere else... Kiyosumi gardens! The other gardens I wanted to visit. It was a gorgeous day and we couldn't stop saying: "So pretty! So pretty!".

Ittekimasu! (Going out) In the entrance of the residence about to have a wonderful day

I took so many pictures of streets in Japan... They are just that charming

 Now, to what probably are the prettiest pictures I took while in Tokyo:

Many trees had a tag with them telling you the kind of tree it is. Also, can you see some waves in the water? That's because it had the BIGGEST fish in there!!!!!!! THEY LOOKED LIKE DRAGONS NOT EVEN JOKING. There were also super cute turtles in there, we got to see a turtle family.

Hello, cutie

After that, we went to Akihabara to take PuriKura and later she took me to this great and famous raw fish market area called Tsukiji for dinner. I had the most fancy and delicious dinner.

PuriKura with N, we are maids! >u<

More PuriKura with N, we are school girls, Sailor Moon uniform ;)

In the restaurant, the environment was great and the service was the most exceptional I've ever gotten to experience

After this, my last day in Tokyo arrived. I was definitely feeling down thinking it was my last day, but I was decided to smile through it and have a great time, hopefully I would forget about it!

Not a good morning when it's your last morning :(

After C's classes, I went to pick her up at the academy, we were going to spend the rest of the day together. 

In this picture I'm trying to take a selfie with Mount Fuji (behind), it's the first and only time I got to see it. Everyone was making fun of me x)

 We took off to look for my tea time sweet and beverage :P

We ended up in the Daikanyama area.

HIGHWAYS ARE A NEW WORLD TO ME

C looking as cool as ever

Welcome to Tokyo!

Prettythings.com

Transcription: Orinpikku ga ta Tokyo ni yattekuru (Coming for the Tokyo Olympics!) Totally will :P

When it was already night we went to a souvenir shop that was huuuuge! Way to Omotesando, a fashionable area with brand shops like Chanel, Louis Vuitton... you get the idea (not as high-end as Ginza, though).

A wedding church

Omotesando streets

I wanted all of these

And these

After that, we went back to Shibuya for dinner and when in the station said farewell to each other. That, was when everything came up out from inside me and when trying to said goodbye tears started flowing, nooo!! I kept my whole train trip to the residence trying to hold myself back but I was so sad  I couldn't help it.

Last night in Tokyo feels

That night I rebelled and went to the konbini (convenience store), bought all the sweets I hadn't tried, and ate some. After getting my suitcase ready at around 5am i went down the hall and sat down alone in the dark refusing to sleep x) I didn't want the day to ever change!

Outside the station back to the residence

:'(

Ready to go

Airport grounds

That's it folks

Game over

Already on the plane, the weather fits my mood

stOP GOING AWAY

My first stop was Beijing. Spent there from 5pm to 1am, very boring honestly

Peking airport

Hello from Beijing

Chillin'

Bored, so bored

This airport was deserted and was kinda creepy

FINALLY GOING TO THE EMBARK DOOR

Not comfortable. Air China is not comfortable.

Hours later we stopped in Vienna. Vienna airport was the worst so far but I got to see the sunrise. It was red and I loved it.

And then, the sun came up from Vienna

"...This trip was special because of you."

And thus, September came to an end.

I got to Barcelona from Vienna and went home. My trip had finished, and although I was feeling down another part of me was happy and excited to think about everything that had happened during those days spent in Tokyo. I met so many wonderful, open-minded people that I know for sure that I will love reuniting with and it will be as nice as the same day we met. I got to see so many new, exciting, funny, beautiful... all kinds of places! The best was sharing it with them and experiencing together, I felt so comfortable and accepted I can't believe it. I'm very happy I got to meet everyone I met. Now, though, I miss them a lot. I miss walking around following Google Maps, and simply walking around when we couldn't. Singing the Evangelion opening in the Karaoke, getting all excited everyday (even at the konbini), meeting at Hachiko... With C we walked the longest time, I had never met someone who didn't get tired of walking with me and could walk for hours without complaining about being tired  or wanting to take public transport. Those moments of quiet looking around and discovering gave me the time I needed to process all the incoming new information and aided me to reaffirm my thoughts.  R showed me the coolest places and she was so welcoming and fun I miss her a lot. N is my Japanese big sister. 

I feel so, so lucky to have been able to live this... It will never be repeated, but I am so glad it happened. I left Japan with the best experiences and the best people I could have ever met behind. After being lost for so long I feel so blessed to know my place. 

This trip is, definitely, one of my favourite memories of life so far and one of the most special. I love everybody and everywhere so much I can't contain it. When I think about it, I feel all warm and fuzzy and smile inside.

Japan is beautiful, but now is even more special to me and I can't wait to go back, and hopefully see everyone again. I feel loved.

There are still so many places to go, so many things to see, but I'm so blissful to be able to say that I lived it to the fullest! I just can say thank you. 

By now, I'll keep on keeping and enjoying what is here, but eventually, I'll stop and you will come to my mind, Japan, I'll look up, shake my head with a smile and retake my walking. I am looking forward to the next time.

Thanks for reading,

See you soon,

Onwards.

B.

PS: I leave you with, probably, my favourite picture. It gives off a special feeling, that's because it was a special moment.