My travels to Japan

       It was in Oct. 2007. I made the second time to travel by myself at Japan. When I passed one shop which sold boots/shores, I took a glance the display of rubber boots. Suddenly, I did not know what happened, I just went back to that store, then entered, then right now bought one pair of rubber boots, then put them and left... When I walked with my new rubber boots, I still feared and my mind was empty. With one red and hot face, even I felt a bit shock when I walked... I muttered, again and again: what's wrong with me, what's wrong with me...

       Then, since I did, I almost plan one annual Japan travel with rubber boots, up to now. I make the wish that if possible, I want to do this every year. Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter, East, West, South, North in Japan. Yes, by myself, and with rubber boots.

       Until now, I wonder at that magic moment why I suddenly made the decision to go back the store, and bought bravely one pair rubber boots, and did not change back to my sneakers, but put on that new boots to leave. I walked with rubber boots in public... In public !.. And for the first time in my life! What is that "Suddenly"? Why did It appear at that moment? How much brave did I prepare? How much desire have I accumulated... I often and often wonder it so far. I forgot totally how much the boots are, but I remember how hot my face was.

       I usually submit my annual leave for ten to fourteen days in Japan travel. I usually carry one unlined rubber boots, which you watched in my photos. And carry one bag, canteen, cap as well. When I arrive at the Japan, check in my hotel to take a break. In the second day, I will put on my rubber boots, check out to leave my hotel, and then begins my rubber boots' travel. My sneakers? I usually wear older and worse sneakers to throw them away at hotels. When I put on my rubber boots, and throw my sneakers into rubbish boxes, I usually feel excited a lot. It means one decision, one action, one beginning, and John's back...

       Since 2007, I have spent six times in this travel way. At beginning, I feared and chose in winter to travel. Why? Snow. In winter, it is normal that people wear rubber boots. No, I live in one sub-tropic country and of course I had no idea about this before. Then, I want to experience different fun in different seasons to travel in Japan. Ya, crazy as me. In 2010, I travelled at Hokkaido in July. Summer. When I walked and with black rubber boots in public, under sun, at noon day, I knew there were local people looked at me with some question eyes... I just walked, and tried to ignored them. And I got a lot of fun from such behaviors to prove my love. To this action, prove, you understand my feelings, right!?

       Well, there is not 100 % to be self-confidence. Sometimes, I felt negative by people's eyes. Last year, I went to one zoo at the south of Japan. It was on Saturday. The temperature was nearly 28'C, noon day... When I saw penguin, I saw many parents and children were around me, and focused on me... It influenced seriously my mood in that day.

       And...? Well... I know what I want, what I will meet, whatever it is good or negative stuff. Sometimes, mind's balanced is coming with fun of rubber boots. My experience is not very high but, this is truly the most important event in my life. Work so hard that I always wait and plan my next Japan travel. On the other way, I know one thing: if I did not, how much fun I had lost, how much value I would miss in my life, how much empty I will face in my life...

       Why Japan only? Why always do I put on that unlined rubber boots? No others? Why am I alone?

       Instead of the French « Je pense, donc Je suis », I changed into : “I wear, therefore I am”. From those travels, I discover what I really am, and another parts of me. Discover something deeply in my mind. Face to myself completely, whatever is about rubber boots, gay, or not. There is nothing to escape or hide or pretend when I travel alone in Japan. Honestly, frankly, loyally I face to myself in those trips. Lonely? Not at all! On the contrary, I got a lot from those travels that I never expected it before. Suddenly, rubber boots are not the sign... but become one catalyst which push and link what I never thought of, but worked in my mind. Suddenly, rubber boots are not the sign... but become one of the life necessities. I literally realize, learn, enjoy the necessity in one new life, instead of what I used to do. Not only I enrich the meanings of rubber boots, but also enlarge my world.