Go Home Smiling

Holiday in Japan

By: Go Home Smiling (31 Jul 2006, Monday)

My girlfriend and I had been discussing a mid–winter vacation for a few weeks, but still had not decided on a destination. I had my heart set on Las Vegas–I thought the dry heat and sun would be invigorating. Well, that's what I said to my girlfriend. She wanted to go to Japan. She had taken an interest in the country and the culture from travel documentaries on TV, and recently she had begun taking lessons in speaking Japanese. We decided to meet one evening after work to decide. We would discuss the matter over a few pale ales, persuading each other with pictures from brochures and well–reasoned arguments. She thought Vegas was tacky and decadent (exactly the point, I thought). I thought Japan would be too…