A summit above the clouds

by Matthew Terwilliger (United States of America)

A leap into the unknown Japan

Growing up in a small rural town, I never imagined I'd leave the state let alone the country. To my surprise, I would wind up experiencing, exploring, living, and absorbing cultures in multiple captivating countries. This is how I became to find my passion and love for travel. During my time as a member of the United States Navy, I was fortunate enough to be able to live in what I can now say is one of my favorite countries. Japan is a place with not only bright and flashy city skylines but with vast and beautiful natural landscapes. I still think back to the magnitude of presence that was Mt. Fuji. Standing upon her summit was a defining moment in my life. Being miles above the clouds and looking down on them gives you a perspective that not many get, outside of an airplane. The Japanese have a saying, "He who climbs Mt. Fuji is a wise man; he who climbs twice is a fool.” Some say pictures do it justice but I'd say call me a fool because I'd leap at the chance to take in that deep breath of crisp morning air before starting my ascent up one of her several trails. While arduous, I would consider this to be one of my favorite memories and moments. While Mt. Fuji can be considered the natural gem of Japan, I'd be remiss if I didn't mention what lies in Mt. Fuji's towering shadow. The cherry blossoms, the bustling train system, the dazzling Tokyo lights, and the smiling shop owner opening his doors at dawn. These are some of the many things that I connect to Japan in my mind. The smell of the cherry blossoms in full bloom after a spring rain is something that can't be expressed through mere words. It's something that must be experienced and registered on a personal level. I found it truly unfortunate how many people go there whole lives without this seemingly simple experience. I wondered if the Japanese took it for granted but I could tell they appreciated it just as much as me. The Japanese are just as considerate a people as they are friendly. I still think back to how eerily silent the train cars would be, even within the heart of Tokyo. This is something that is somewhat of a social norm in Japan. People are silent out of consideration for others who may be catching a few minutes of sleep before there next stop. You may see this occasionally in the United States but not nearly close to this extent. This is just simply one of the many great values that stem from Japan's culture. I've found in my travels that no matter where you go, there is always something unique and compelling that can be found in any culture. What's similar is that beauty can always be found in the simple things. The things that people do in their daily lives that seem normal to them but from someone looking in from an outside perspective, you can see the true value of simple intricacies. It's these intricacies that connect us. There is also beauty in the thing you didn't know you would find. A leap into the unknown can bring with it the most important memories and moments in one's life. A smell, a taste, a view, a feeling, an experience. These are all things that we can assign value to and add to our collection. My passion for travel all stems from the idea of a leap into the unknown. My decision to join the military was a leap that I will never regret. With such a leap, brought with it the insatiable hunger to chase that next adventure, that next sunset, that new skyline, that feeling of waking up and not knowing how your day will pan out. It's not about how many places you see but how many things you feel and experiences you get to keep. It's the things that you get to keep for a lifetime, like a summit above the clouds, that have become priceless to me. The things that you gain from a leap into the unknown.