HOW DO I AFFORD IT?! - Travel Edition

So this is the part where I think there are a lot of misconceptions. Yes, traveling is a luxury but it doesn't actually have to be expensive; it's more about making choices and setting priorities. $2000 can get you either a one week trip to a fancy resort in the Caribbean or weeks of backpacking in Asia. $200 can get you a little city trip or just a one way plane ticket. All of the options are good and fun, depending on whatever you're into. Anyway, this is how I keep the costs of the actual traveling down. (It's a big chunk of text so I've added a tl;dr at the end for you without time or patience or attention span)

HOW DO I AFFORD IT?! - At Home Edition

(I've just come back from Belize and am excited to share a post about it but my old laptop(battery) died on me and now I'm working on an ancient thing that hardly supports anything. However, I've ordered a chromebook (poor man's macbook lol) that should arrive next week so that I can get back to posting photos etc)

The number one response to my travels seems to be: "How do you afford it?!". Even though that response is kinda understandable, I also feel it's a little intrusive. I for one, am never asking other people how they can afford or sustain their lifestyle. Anyway, even though this is what some people think, I am not spoiled rotten by my parents and am in no way rich..
Well, actually; I guess I AM rich, but in (travel) experiences and not so much in material or financial matters. I like to think I just make different choices in spending my money, leaving me with more money to spend on trips. I understand people have different circumstances than me (high end jobs you don't want to leave, kids, mortgages, debts) so this is just some personal tips and tricks that explain how I do it and how you might be able to do it too!

15 Things I will miss about Japan

So you read yesterday how it's not all good, living in Japan? Then let me now tell you why it is still super awesome and definitely something I would recommend. Here are the things I liked a lot. The things I freaking loved. The things I wish I had wherever I lived. The things I will definitely miss about Japan.

10 Things I won't miss about Japan

In the beginning of February my semester at Kyoto University officially finished. I don't know much about my results but don't worry about them either, it's all good. Then I had just a little bit of time and even less money left to travel around and such until last week, when it was time to really leave Japan. Boo, sad times ahead 'cause I've really grown to love the place and the people, and felt super comfortable and at ease and happy everywhere I went.

Now I'm in Southern California for about 6 weeks and it gives me time and space for reflection. And I've come to the conclusion there is a whole lot I will be missing about Japan, but there is also stuff I won't miss. I feel like a lot of people have put Japan on such a pedestal, so let's start today with the things I think that suck. The things that annoyed me. The things I might even hate by now. The things I definitely won't miss.
And then come back tomorrow for the good and positive stuff, alright?

TRIP REPORT: Ōkunoshima

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Ōkunoshima, a tiny island located in the Seto Inland Sea, is part of Setonaikai National Park and is declared both an eco-island, a national vacation village and a public health resort. Disregarding whatever those terms actually entail, it’s a pleasant island with an eye on sustainability, has lots of nature and it is small enough to walk around it in about 90 minutes. The best part about it though, is that it boosts a huge population of wild rabbits and it is actually better known as Rabbit Island, or Usagishima. However, its furry inhabitants isn't the only thing the island is known for; it holds a dark past of years of secretly producing poison gasses for the Japanese army.

When you have some time to spare, or if you really love bunnies, Ōkunoshima is an awesome day trip away from Hiroshima. It takes quite some time to get there and trains/buses/ferries are a little far apart so if you wanna do this trip you better plan ahead.

TRIP REPORT: Mt. Fuji

Mt. Fuji, the highest mountain of Japan and one of it's most famous symbols; the Japanese people love it, and now so do I! After New Years in Tokyo, I went on a short trip to see Fuji-san and I thought it'd be nice to write a little report & review the things I've done there. I've added some practical information for people that would like to visit the area; as I know that is something I always like to read and sometimes it’s hard to find this information on the official, Japanese-only websites.
PS- every thing that is underlined links to some extra info!

WHAT I LOVE ABOUT JAPAN: purikura

If you’re my friend on Facebook, you might have seen my latest Japanese love in my profile pictures: PURIKURA.