Stay-cation Plan

Today is the first day of my Golden Week Holiday - eight consecutive days at home. Usually, Golden Week is one of the three busiest travel times in Japan. This year the Prime Minister has asked everyone to stay at home and not travel to other prefectures. (In Japan this is a request, not an order, to stay home.)

This past week, when I asked my students what they will do over the holiday week this year, they all sadly said, "No plan". When I told them I had big plans for my stay-cation, they all seemed surprised. I had to explain "stay-cation" - stay at home vacation  - meant I wasn't taking a trip.  I was following the request to stay at home, but I still had plans for the week.

I'm going to enjoy time at home. I will put my chair outside on the balcony and drink coffee and read a book.  I will walk by myself to area shrines and temples and enjoy the history and serenity of these places.  I will do a little Japanese language study.  Of course, I will sew and stitch on some of the projects I posted about yesterday. Maybe I will do some household chores. I love to travel, but this year I will love staying at home and enjoying things that are close by.

If you are curious about what the holiday is today - It's Showa Day. It honors the birthday of Emperor Showa, the current Emperor's grandfather, who was the reining emperor from 1926 - 1989.  "Sho" means shining or bright and "wa" means peace.