"Haunted by the Spirit of Wandering (Basho)" goshawk301's Profile

First ray of the sun of 2005 hitting Mt. Fuji

A New Year - A New Sunrise!

The above picture was taken from the 21st floor viewing gallery of the Prefecture Council Building in Shizuoka, Japan, on New Year's Day, 2005.

Where, and how often, do I get to go?

On the job, I go to meetings and workshops 2-3 times a year in different locations in the U.S. One of these is always held in San Francisco, and since I also like going there for long weekends, San Francisco is probably my most traveled destination.

I visit my parents twice a year in my hometown of Shizuoka, Japan. Once preferably around the New Year; the other I try to change around, so that I get to experience different seasons in Japan. Of course, it would also depend on when I can take time off and when the air fare is cheap.

My two favorite places in the world are Kaua'i, and Methow Valley, Washington. Both places offer great natural scenery, tranquility to refresh my spirit, and plenty of outdoor and naturalist opportunities. An annual trip to a Hawaiian island has become my "winter therapy".

I continue to discover new, worthwhile places to visit right here in Washington State. I like taking day and weekend trips any time of the year.

Why go?

Friends and Family are my biggest reasons to travel. It was, for example, my friends over there that first got me to travel to South America. I also love Nature, and I enjoy visits to places that feature great natural scenery, as well as activities that bring me an in-depth appreciation of nature like birdwatching, geology and stargazing. I also enjoy Music, Art and Books from different places in the world. Sometimes, though, it's just a simple urge to see something different that gets me going. I call it "pushing the Reset button for my brain".

About the Title

Matsuo Basho

Matsuo Basho (1644-1694), Japan's greatest haiku poet, was an inveterate traveler, and his travelogue Oku no Hosomichi (Narrow Road to the Deep North, 1694) is a classic of Japanese travel literature. The introduction, from which the title is taken, is a sort of traveler's manifesto.

Basho was influenced by the Tang dynasty poet Li Po, who considered travel as the fundamental state of everything in the Universe. For Basho, the desire to travel was also a kind of divine madness, something to which he felt he had to succumb from time to time. As travelers I think we can all recognize that urge to roam.

Words to meditate on while flying (T.S. Eliot)

Crossing over La Plata into Argentina

Fare forward, you who think that you are voyaging;
You are not those who saw the harbour
Receding, or those who will disembark.
Here between the hither and the farther shore
While time is withdrawn, consider the future
And the past with an equal mind.
At the moment which is not of action or inaction
You can receive this: "on whatever sphere of being
The mind of a man may be intent
At the time of death"—that is the one action
(And the time of death is every moment)
Which shall fructify in the lives of others:
And do not think of the fruit of action.
Fare forward.

Updates

Toothache Jizo, Kamaishi Pass, near Shizuoka

1/21/05 - Spent Christmas and New Year with my folks in Japan. I will put up photos from the trip on a new page about Shizuoka, Japan, in the coming weeks. Next trip: likely a late winter vacation in the Big Island, Hawaii, in early March.

Intro Updated Mar 12, 2005
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Personal Pages (1)

Written Sep 20, 2004

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FAQ: Is a Japan Rail Pass worth it for my trip?

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Comments (12)

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zanzooni Apr 7, 2009 at 9:38 PM

Happy Birthday! Hope all is well in yer neck of the weeds. ~
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jrattia Apr 19, 2007 at 4:44 PM

Dear Goshaw301, We would like to concentrate in two regions: Tokyo and surroundings & Kyoto & Surroundings. We would like to take the bullet train from Tokyo to Kyoto and vice versa. Is it worth it to get the JR Pass? Thanks, JR
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jojocan Apr 6, 2005 at 10:32 PM

I can't wait to explore your pages more! You have some great pics!
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allikat Aug 4, 2004 at 9:54 PM

A wonderful homepage. I will let you know when I spot the Magellanic Clouds :o)
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goingsolo Jul 28, 2004 at 12:36 PM

Great homepage. I especially liked the TS Eliot quote. Thanks for visiting my North Cascades page!
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andal13 Jul 21, 2004 at 11:22 AM

Thank you very much for your kind comments on my homepage and the Misc. forum; you made me feel very proud!!! ;-)
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JourneyOf1 Jul 1, 2004 at 9:06 AM

The spirit of wandering is truly driven by the soul, divine madness>>>>it is that indeed. I've am rising to the crest of that wave in my life right now. Great homepage. Yvette
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BerniShand May 3, 2004 at 2:28 AM

you have made a beautiful homepage, l really enjoyed reading it, best wishes
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kenyneo Apr 9, 2004 at 8:05 AM

happy birthday from the Pearl of the Orient , Penang ...may all your dreams come true and many great journeys ahead ! keny
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deecat Apr 9, 2004 at 4:09 AM

A great birthday is wished to you from Chicago. May your future travels be full of adventure.