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During my retreat, it was one of the Workaway men's birthday. The other man and I decided to do a surprise dinner, with 3 courses and different types of drinks! We created a menu card, chef's hats from paper towel, the sign on the door and put on nice background music. During the day, we secretly made tiramisu while he was working. He was super surprised and said that he had NEVER (yes, not once) celebrated his birthday before and was soooo happy! He turned 39 but smiled like a little boy and told me that he was gonna tell his mom all about it hahahah sooo wholesome. The whole night was so so so fun and I felt so much more connected to these new friends. Such a magical moment!

When I left the island of my retreat by ferry, not only the workaway man who I stayed with came to wave me goodbye but even a local couple I became friends with and their kids started running in the direction I was going and waved at me until they were the tiniest dots in my vision🥹🥹🥹 sooo wholesome!!

As Tristan and I were waiting in the ferry terminal because the one we wanted to take got cancelled, an old lady (78) started a conversation with us. Her English was really good because she and her husband (86) had lived abroad when they were younger. She asked us where in Wakayama (where they live) we were staying, and even called our hostel to explain it to her. She and her husband then insisted on driving us there, so we wouldn’t have to take a train! We ended up staying with them the entire ferry ride and it felt like they took us in as their own grandchildren. I was once again deeply impressed by Japanese hospitality and felt so grateful to encounter such a genuine connection!!

Although this entire volunteering weekend in the nature of Osaka was magical in itself, this moment stood out to me! Me and this boy I didn’t know and didn’t share any languages with, laughing together as we were walking like little smurfs to the ricefields. A reminder that language is not at all necessary to connect!✨

A few days with an abundance of snow ended up to be so meaningful. Closed schools, cancelled flights. Many kids playing on the streets, strangers building snowmen together, everyone slowing down and taking a moment to enjoy the weather. A strong feeling of community in such an individualistic country. Beautiful!

When I found a guy playing the guitar for his friends in the most beautiful sunset spot and talked to them for a while. He asked me what kind of songs I listen to (for him to play) and when I told him about the song my brother always plays - that always makes me feel at home - and he happened to know it completely + lyrics (see video)!!

Nothing crazy, just connecting to my host family mom on a beautiful sunset walk with the dog :)

After the first hike I did with the 3 spanish people, we immediately planned another one for a week later. At the end, we went to a bit of a secret viewpoint for the sunset and it was absolutely stunning. I felt so deeply happy and really connected with people I only saw twice!! So so thankful!!

Although the weather is lovely here 90% of the time, it was absolutely terrible yesterday. It was raining a looott, the coldest since I’ve been here and even very windy. However, to celebrate my host family mom’s birthday, we still went out to explore a beautiful place of the island I hadn’t seen yet. We took some umbrellas and had a walk through the city in pouring rain, and somehow (even though I hate rain), I felt so happy! A small reminder not to let external forces determine how I feel too much :)