Turning Japanese, I think I'm turning Japanese, I really think so

I read an article the other day that claims the Japan Tourism Agency, in an effort to boost their local economy after the earthquake, is trying to get approval to give away 10,000 free round-trip plane tickets to Japan.  It seems travel there is down, as tourists fear more earthquakes and radiation.  To qualify, all one has to do is publish on their public blog and social media about their travel plans and what they hope to get out of the trip. The Japan Tourism Agency hopes bloggers will spread the word that Japan is a safe place to visit.

Count me in! I LOVE to travel the world, and I have never been to Japan. It just so happens that a lot of what this blog is already about is my numerous trips around the world. I've already documented my trips to Jamaica and New York. And I have posted pictures of my trips to Cozumel, Las Vegas, Moab, Yellowstone, San Francisco, San Diego, Lake Powell, Pineview Reservoir, and Mazatlan on Facebook.

I have always wanted to visit Japan too. Know why? My grandfather (my mom's dad) was half Japanese. His mother was German and his father was Japanese.

Me and my sister, Dreamer with our Japanese grandpa

This means that my mother, aunts, and uncles are 1/4 Japanese, and I am 1/8 Japanese. Whenever I tell people I have Japanese lineage, they can hardly believe it because I am so blond. But then they say, "Oh yeah, I can sort of see it in your eyes and your cheek bones."

I can thank my Japanese genes for my almond eyes and good bone structure

My great-grandfather's name was Gentauro (Jen-TAH-roe) Tomita  (Toe-MEE-tah). Apparently the name Tomita is kind of like "Smith" in America. I think it's unfortunate that none of the Japanese language or traditions were passed on to us, so I would like to visit Japan to learn some of my family heritage.

My great-grandfather

When I was a little girl, our family hosted a Japanese exchange student, name Hidatoshi (Hee-dah-TOE-she). I remember that he ate funny snacks. Once at the dinner table, he accidentally spilled his milk. He kept saying "Sorry, sorry, sorry" over and over again, while my mother loudly exclaimed, "IT'S OKAY! IT'S OKAY!" I think he, (not knowing very much English) thought she was yelling at him. I also remember that he brought my sister and I kimonos.

Dreamer and I in our kimonos with Hidatoshi

Once I had a dream of a beautiful place. It was a city full of high rises next to the ocean, yet was nestled at the base of huge mountain peaks. Later, I learned that this is exactly what Tokyo looks like. I found it amazing that I dreamt of a place I had never been or seen. It was only after I had the dream that I saw pictures of it. Maybe I have been there in a past life!

This is similar to what I saw in my dream, minus the HUGE Tsunami

Here's hoping the Japanese government approves the free airfare, and that I win!