Travel days are always stressful. But we just have to remember that no matter how many lines we stand in, how many cramped seats we endure for hours, or how many unwelcome surprises pop up along the way, the joy of the journey once you get there, always makes it worth it.
All was going well for us on Sunday—until after church, when I got a text from our airline: “Your 11:50 p.m. flight has been cancelled.” No explanation. Oh, sweet merciful cupcakes! Why can’t things ever just be easy?
We spent an anxious hour on the phone and eventually secured a new flight. We had just come through the longest government shutdown in American history, which created severe shortages of air traffic controllers and TSA agents who were required to work without pay. So even though the government is open again, the ripple effects are still very real.
I love being able to start my trips now with a visit to our daughter Kelly’s and her two adorable boys (Derrick is three and Zyon is six months.) A short Uber ride to LAX, a 12 hour flight, then a one hour flight and we got to Osaka at 7:30 am.
When I first arrive in a new city, everything feels overwhelming—the streets seem enormous, and even finding my way to the hotel can be confusing. But as I settle in, I start to relax, my confidence grows, and I begin to notice the beauty that the people who live here enjoy every day. Figuring out the subway (why won’t my Suica card work on my phone?!), navigating in a foreign language, using different money, and simply being outside my comfort zone is so good for my brain. Overcoming those little obstacles ends up helping me long after I’m back to my everyday life at home.
Marsh Travels 