patsylabrador Posted October 15, 2015 Share Posted October 15, 2015 I'm so excited that I had to share. It's a long story but here goes. My ES left home when he was sixteen and joined the army. Over the last fourteen years I've trained myself to being used to him being away more than near me. As many people here know it was horrible when he was in Iraq and Afghanistan but now he's very happy living an adventurous life in Japan. I'm OK as long as I know I'll see him at some point in a year but I didn't know when that would happen next. Also I felt I really wanted to visit his new home. We message a lot but it's not always enough. Because it will cost so much I worked out a whole programme of ways to persuade OH that I really must go and see ES. I know it sounds crazy but I need to get my fix of his cheeky grin and give him a hug. OH said straight away if you want to go then we'll go. I feel silly but I just burst into tears and feel like a cloud has lifted. I hadnt realised how unhappy I was feeling about not seeing ES. I let him know and he's thrilled and already has things he wants to show us. Only just starting planning but I can't wait. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted October 15, 2015 Share Posted October 15, 2015 Fantastic news! There's no substitute for seeing where he's living and having a hug, Skype and messaging only go so far. I've never been there but everyone says it's a fabulous country to visit. Keep us posted, we'll want photos. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted October 15, 2015 Share Posted October 15, 2015 Aw, I'm so pleased that you're going to get to see him . Have fun planning your trip . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted October 15, 2015 Share Posted October 15, 2015 Sounds very exciting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickencam Posted October 15, 2015 Share Posted October 15, 2015 Exciting times ahead there is no substitute for a warm bear hug Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grandmashazzie Posted October 16, 2015 Share Posted October 16, 2015 Great news PL,it will be a wonderful adventure and a great ' fix ' of mother and son time. Well done OH. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soapdragon Posted October 16, 2015 Share Posted October 16, 2015 How wonderful! You are very brave; I can't imagine how I'd feel if either of my boys were so far away. That moment at the airport when you first set eyes on each other will be just MAGICAL! And, yes, photos please! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valkyrie Posted October 16, 2015 Share Posted October 16, 2015 That's great. Have lots of fun planning and enjoy your time with the lad. I expect he'll be just as excited for you to join him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewis Posted October 17, 2015 Share Posted October 17, 2015 You'll have a great time! I went this summer as you know - can't remember were ES is but you have to visit Tokyo. The show at the Robot Cafe is a must! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluekarin Posted October 17, 2015 Share Posted October 17, 2015 How wonderful! I know what you mean about the longing to hug them, and my daughter has only been away in Bristol for 3 weeks! My brother went to Japan a few years ago and loved it. His now wife spent the day dressed as a geisha girl, if thats someing you fancu doing! They had tea in a tea house and ate Wagu beef. He was amazed at the accuracy and ease going on the bullet train. My youngest longs to go there, so I am sure she will, one day Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patsylabrador Posted October 30, 2015 Author Share Posted October 30, 2015 Konnichiwa. I've booked it! I'm a bit terrified of what I've done now. I did NOT go budget and my husband DID go pale. I've bought loads of travel books, subscribed to YouTube channels and am learning Japanese. Oh my! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat tails Posted October 30, 2015 Share Posted October 30, 2015 Nice! Enjoy! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackrocksrock Posted October 31, 2015 Share Posted October 31, 2015 Enjoy every minute going non budget is best the first time. Next time a budget trip when you know where you are going. Where about are you flying to? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patsylabrador Posted October 31, 2015 Author Share Posted October 31, 2015 I think that's right Blackrocksrock. Tokyo sounds so huge, busy and chaotic, it makes London sound quaint, that I like the idea of a real comfort blanket for the hotel. We're flying to Haneda airport which although it is smaller and has less facilities than the main Tokyo airport, is much closer to the hotel. That made sense to me. The list of things I want to do is getting longer every day, plus the list of things ES wants to do - it's going to be a massive experience. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted October 31, 2015 Share Posted October 31, 2015 That is so exciting . I bet the planning and anticipation will be almost as much fun as the actual trip . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewis Posted October 31, 2015 Share Posted October 31, 2015 Exciting! Your post made me seek out the GoPro video we made - not a typical travel video but gives you an idea of what we saw Japan 2015 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mullethunter Posted October 31, 2015 Share Posted October 31, 2015 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patsylabrador Posted November 1, 2015 Author Share Posted November 1, 2015 Thank you Lewis. Seeing that made me feel happy, you all look so relaxed and having fun. Taki"Ooops, word censored!"a (or something similar) road is on my to do list. It sounds a bit like Camden Extreme! Cheers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...