My Favorite Place in the Fall That Feels Just Like a Hallmark Movie!

Mike May once said, “I love the sounds and the power of pounding water, whether it is the waves or a waterfall.” Most people could agree with Mike May when they visit Kegan Falls in Nikko, Japan, as it is one of its biggest attractions. Nikko is notoriously famous for its natural environment, specifically, Mount Nantai, home of the Kegan Falls. Mt. Nantai was a place of spiritual worship. People believed that Fatarasan (a god) would provide water from the mountains, praying.

Mt. Nantai and Kegan Falls is typically in its prime during the fall season when the whole forest has turned into an aesthetics of perfect yellow, orange, and red leaves.

Mt. Nantai in Nikko, Japan is my favorite place for three reasons; my family and I would visit each other annually during the fall, and the view is incredible, Mt. Nantai was peaceful. My family and I would visit every year to see Kegan Falls as we stayed in The Turtle Inn on Mt. Nantai, surrounded by a scenic view of the mountain. Every morning after breakfast, we would go on the same trail behind the Inn. At the end of the path, my family would stand still for two minutes, closing our eyes while listening to our surroundings. We would hear the leaves ruffle with the mildly stiff breeze, the water flowing in the river, fellow hiker being amazed by the view and the birds of course chirping in the distance. Moments like these are what pulls us back every year.

Another reason Mt. Nantai is my favorite place because of the fantastic view, Mt. Nantai and Kegan Falls provides. Kegan Falls was an attraction that would bring people from all over the world. As this is such a popular attraction, there is an admission fee to go with a group of fifteen people, and there are three options for how you would like to view the waterfall. The first option is at the top of a stairway, where there is a panoramic view. The second view is at the bottom of the stairs, where you will see the waterfall directly in front of you. The last aspect is from the side as you exit to head back to the admission office. The scene of Kegan Falls was astonishing despite the little time we had to take it in.

The last reason Mt. Nantai is my favorite place is because of the peaceful environment your experience up there. Right outside of Kegan Fall, there are cafes and restaurants, hiking trails, a nature museum, and a handful of small businesses. Although this is a tourist attraction with visitors from all over the world, it is understood that everyone needs to respect the environment, which creates a peaceful and enjoyable experience for everyone. We never leave Mt. Nantai with visiting House Toki, a café that overlooks the Lake. It’s one of the most peaceful spots of the mountain with a hot cup of coffee.

Mt. Nantai in Nikko, Japan is my favorite place because my family and I would visit annually during the fall. The view is magnificent, and it was peaceful.

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The Safest Ways and Places To Travel To Right Now! Because Staying Home Is Driving Us Crazy!

Everyone’s summer plans have changed one way or another. I originally planned on taking a trip to Virginia, my home state, to see my baby cousin graduate and possibly make a trip to Montreal, Canada, to take some fantastic photos. I don’t know why in light of everything happening in the world right now means adventuring shouldn’t happen at all this summer. Of course, I came up with 5 simple and safe ways to travel this summer.

Take a Road trip

At the moment it’s been recommended that we avoid air-traveling and taking a bus. Planning a road trip is much safer and a lot more personal of a trip. You and friends can plan an adventure and still enjoy the summer with these simple tips recommended by AARP:

• Plan your route “You may run into some temporary closures.”
• Pack essentials (water, snacks, medication, and hand sanitizer)
• Pay for gas with cards not cash (avoid face-to-face)
• Dining: In some states like Texas and Utah some restaurants are resuming dine -in service with some restrictions.
• Sleeping: Call ahead to confirm reservation, just in case your hotel has closed.

Camping:

In some states like Indiana, their campgrounds are still open. Of course, you’ll need to make reservations to pitch a tent, but cabins are closed to bookings right now unless you go to Airbnb. Double-check in your state to see if campgrounds near you are still allowing tents to be pitched.

Take A Day Trip:

Getaway for a day takes a trip to the nearest open park, beach, or forest preserve. Double-check the parks’ website to see what open still and what restriction may be in place to enforce social-distancing.

Weekend Trip:

If a day isn’t enough, I don’t blame you for wanting to take the weekend off from quarantine as well. One was excellent, why not make it two? Airbnb is still available for rent right now, and getting a beach house for a city apartment may not be the worse thing to do.

Audible Gift Memberships

If leaving the house is too dangerous or you simply don’t feel safe traveling in any way, the best way to get away is through a good story. I have started listening to Sea Wall/ A Life with Jake Gyllenhall and Tom Sturridge. It’s a play about fatherhood from both the father’s and son’s perspectives.

Three Side Effects of Moving Internationally

 

The past seven (almost eight ) years I have had to move from house to house, country to country. To be honest, though, the reality of the past seven years have been one crazy roller coaster. Moreover, every ride has their side effects.  I am only seventeen, and I have lived in six different homes since I was born. Just very recently I have noticed the effects it can have on one’s social life. Half the time when I am in public, I am pretty much muted when I am around people I have not grown comfortable with, which means either, one I am shy because I do not know you or two I have nothing to say.

1. ( The aftermath of being overseas huh?) I had mixed emotion about leaving the states. At first, it was hard leaving family and friends and a house I lived in for more than seven years. I ended up missing everything from the little things like the Disney Channel and Chick-fil-a to the big things, for example, going to Awanas every Wednesday. After about a year I started to appreciate many things I never thought I would have; like the opportunity to travel the world. My brother and I always laugh about the way we acted when we left the states. Imagine two kids in an airport crying their eyes out, while everyone is trying to check in his or her bags.
2.  Another side effect of traveling is changing in personality.  In Japan when someone bows toward you; you bow back. It is a sign of respect toward one another.  After a while, I started to pick up these habits, and before I knew it, I’m bowing at Italians, saying ‘Grazie.’
3. The cruelest side effect of traveling (practically the mother load) is the exit rout. I have been to half a dozen countries, and I never wanted to leave once (including the states). However, moving makes me want to travel more.  I promised myself that even after I leave for college in little over a year, I will keep traveling the world.  At this point, I feel like I can’t live in the states anymore. Otherwise, I will feel like I am trapped in this bubble, which almost makes it another side effect of traveling. (P.s that is a good thing)

Why I Went Vegetarian (Short post)

 

Hello World Wide Web of beautiful people.

For three years now I have been slowly cutting meat out of my daily diet. Even though I still get tempted to have a McDonald hambrger, I can now claim the vegetarian title. Except on thanksgiving, that’s too much. 😉  In the past year I have been able to make vegetarian meals for my family and myself, which I’m extremely proud of . Since it’s summer time I’ve been craving a burger or a hotdog at cookouts. Fortunately thanks to the internet there is always a vegetarian option and alternative.

It’s been really hard to not eat meat in the past two years. Fortunately  my family has been really supportive, which makes meat less tempting .

 

I have noticed certain changes about myself. For instance, my senses of smell have become extremely sensitive to certain meats and unpleasant fragrances. It has gotten to the point where I am nauseous at the smell of bacon.

That’s not why I’m writing this. I guess I’m writing this for me. So I can finally put the reason why the change of diet into words.

My family’s health has become a concern after my dad became an Insanity instructor. We have cut a lot of processed food out of our lives. Because we would read articles about how “such ‘n such” could cause cancer. When we moved to Italy, I saw how clean the Italians ate and I wondered why is America so accepting of all this junky, greasy food that won’t spoil for weeks or maybe even months. Where as it for the Italian’s food would spoil in a couple a days.

People would ask me why.   Why are you switching?   Why are you giving up meat?   As if it’s inhuman.   This in fact is I didn’t give up meat.   I gave up the thought of greasy, fatty foods as normal, because it’s not.

I’m not saying I’m never going to eat at McDonalds ever again or having a slice of pizza. Seeing it’s 2016,  and the idea of having no time to make healthy meals has been sold to this generation and the next. At least I know now.

” A heathy outside starts from the inside.”

                                                          – Robert Urich

Baked mac n’ cheese

Thanks for reading and feel to Follow my blog with Bloglovin . Make sure to follow me on Twitter(@mimifry15)  Facebook and on Instagram(@_almostmia) to keep updated on the latest post. Check out my last post: Dear Six-year-old Mimi

(Like for mac ‘n cheese recipe )

 

Dear Journal 01/06/16 We Arrived……….awhile ago.

Dear Journal , 

In December 15 2015 my family and I have returned to our paradise know as Japan. Which is the reason why I haven’t been posting anything (Jet-lag). I have to tell you about the four plane journey. 

  I can’t complain about our last few hours in Italy. It was a good way to go.  When we were in the process of checking in. Mom norticed one of our fellow navel family right behind us. Ironically enough we were put on the same flight with one another.  So our to families had one last italian breakfast at this really nice vintage café .  

 
  Of course we didn’t sit together on the plane but it was excellent that we got to see this family one last time. After going through italian classes and MWR trips together. 

( if you don’t know what MWR means you’re not part of a military family ).

If you read “International Reading” ( another post) .  Then you already know how my first flight went.  

The second plane was one of the longest flights. But the extra six inches of legroom and personal tvs with most of the recently released movies and shows, helped me get through it.  

When we got off the 11hr plane ride in Houston 
 

Dear Journal 12/11/2015: Side Effect part2

Dear Journal ,

Today is day four in the hotel after moving out and handing over the keys to the house to our landlord.  In total it took us five days to clean down and touch up the house. As we were going through motions of moving out I started experiencing the side effects.

Side Effect #1 of moving out .   As you’re packing out you’ll obviously notice the how much space was in the room before you filled it up with a bunch of thingumajig and whatsis.  When the items start coming out one by one and the house begins to feel more and more vacant ; you’ll regret leaving .

The some thing happened to me when I saw my hallowed out bedroom , I almost instantly wanted to cry over the fact that I wouldn’t get to sleep in my bed for the next few months , and watch Netflix  on my desk till two in the morning . (sorry mom! ) anyway pretty soon the entire house had nothing but a television on the second floor . As off now it has been two days since I last seen that house.

Another side effect to moving out is hording

When packing out you must decide on what you want to keep and what you want to throw away. When you go through the pile I guarantee you will find something you have lost six  months ago . And as you’re freaking out about that one thing you lost . the most important question arrives . ” Do I still need this when I have survive half a year without it.

Dad’s point of view : When you get use to seeing the something everyday , you become attach to that seeing that one thing. Then when it is time to decide whether you need this item or not.  You are almost blindsided to actual value of this item.

The last side effect is the reality of the move .  The other night I was talking to mom about how I can’t believe our time here is up. I fill like it’s all over and I’m not ready to leave.  I have so many great and fragile like memories .

favorite memory :The time when my cousin RJ  ( more like older   brother) came to visit and my dad drove use about five hours to see the leaning tower of Pisa.  Almost as soon as we got there we tried the classic cliché photo of us holding up or pushing down the tower. Afterward we went to a near by outdoor pizzeria and watched the horse-buggies go down the cobblestone road . It was like something  out of a black and white movie.

Basically the reality is bitter sweet and  I want to  stay  and go all at once!!

Merry Christmas !!!

Buon Natale !!!