And here I go.....

Well, here I am......

Sitting in the airport, waiting for a plane that will be the first part of my journey to a far away land, a chain of much fabled islands in the Pacific, the counterpoint to our side of the ring of fire: Japan. As many of you know, this will be my first real jaunt to a foreign country. No spring break in Mexico, no backpacking through Europe after finishing college (the first time). I always said that I wanted to understand my own country before venturing out to explore others. Do I understand America? No. The country of my birth is a tough one to understand. And the more that I have crawled through it's forests, mingled in it's cities and talked to my fellows, I see that there is an understanding waiting that comes from outside the boarder. Among the many things that I am hopeful of for this coming trip, gaining the perspective to see America in a new light is high on the list.

So check back here for the unfolding tale of my sojourn in Japan. I hope that if nothing else it will be entertaining.

Ryan