Grooveday

Although it sounds conflicting, when on a long-term trip it is possible to forget to just groove.

It might seem funny, but traveling for an extended period of time isn't all fun and games.  Sure, you have a lot of fun and even play some games, but some aspects are rigorous. Packing and re-packing every day.  Schlepping over-sized backpacks. Learning new cities just in time to leave them. Working hard to plan a travel day based on several train transfers, just to have a key train canceled. Things like that.

Now, these are all self inflicted rigors to be sure. So we don't complain.  Instead, we recognize that life on the road can sometimes create harried, burned out, flustered, cranky travelers. That's just the way it goes.  In recognition of this fact, Jeff is instituting Grooveday.  Every day is groovy when you are constantly seeing new things, eating new food, experiencing new experiences, and dabbling in foreign cultures.  But it is possible to lose a little groove along the way, and a little extra groove is needed sometimes.  Hence, a twist on Dr. Eng's Sunday Funday is born: Grooveday is a day where you take a moment to recognize all things groovy.  Grooveday is a day you relax a little more than usual, and get back in tune with how fantastic it can be to just be. 

We've been reminding ourselves that there is no hurry.  The best days we've had in Japan so far have been about one quarter cold-chillin'. There is a lot to see and a lot to do.  But no sight, city, town, hike, train, or reservation is important enough to rush through something and miss the delight of soaking up the little things. People watching. Sunsets.  Funny signs.  Weird architecture.   Even though the wary traveler may need Groovedays more frequently, we would like to urge you all to inject a little extra groove wherever and whenever you see the need for a little extra groove.