“Live, travel, adventure, bless, and don’t be sorry.”
― Jack Kerouac
Why do we travel? The reasons can vary widely from person to person. Some might seek a refreshing escape, others an extraordinary experience. For me, I desperately needed a break from the malicious cycle of my mental state—a chance for something entirely new.
My interaction with the world outside was limited to the Internet. Travel videos on YouTube, online conversations with my foreign friends, and offline Meetup events.
Sometimes, in our highly digitalized world, we might think we can understand anything just by scrolling through YouTube videos, Googling, or asking ChatGPT, without actual experience.
I used to think this way too. Having had a complicated relationship with my home country, I’ve always wanted to travel overseas, not just watch travel videos on YouTube.
After leaving my job at the end of March and finding myself with some free time, I decided to travel to Singapore for a few days. This trip changed my perspectives not only on the world outside Japan but also on how I should approach life in general.
Intro:
Despite having studied and worked in the US before, where I always had the support of other Japanese people during my time abroad, this trip was different—I was on my own. Buying tickets, getting to the airport, staying in a hotel, and navigating the city using the local subway systems were all brand-new experiences for me. Everything felt fresh and heavily overwhelming.
The game changer of the travel – EZ-link card and MRT:
If you don’t know, ask. While living in Japan, I could navigate anywhere without needing to ask for directions—trains, subways, buses, and taxis were all familiar. However, traveling abroad is a different story. Even with some basic information on how to navigate Singapore using the MRT, the local subway system, I found myself needing to ask where to purchase an EZ-link card.
For those who don’t know what an EZ-link card is, here’s a brief Wikipedia explanation:
The EZ-Link card is a rechargeable contactless smart card and electronic money system that is primarily used as a payment method for public transport such as bus and rail lines in Singapore.
Wikipedia
If you don’t know, ask. Without asking questions, you can end up feeling lost and intimidated, unable to make the most of your travels. For me, taking this step was crucial to becoming an international traveler. I’ve always wanted to travel beyond Japan, but upon arriving in a new country, I was initially overwhelmed with fear.
This anxiety was likely fueled by my mental instability and the fact that I was in a gap period, having recently quit my job and temporarily being in NEET status. Deep down, I feel that these factors prevented me from fully enjoying the trip, and they exacerbated my anxiety.
Nevertheless, I decided to venture out and managed to get an EZ-link card at a Seven Eleven. Then, I went to a local station and asked how to top up the card. Initially, I was terrified of asking questions, but I knew I had to. Once I overcame that fear, I found navigating the city with the MRT much easier.
Bayfront and Downtown:
During my trip, I spent most of my time in Bayfront and Downtown. The moment I saw the picturesque downtown skyline, I fully realized that I had arrived in Singapore. Since it was daytime, there were fewer people and it was less crowded, creating perfect conditions for photography.
Seeing a doctor in Singapore:
In the later days of my travel, I caught a cold and started worrying it might be COVID. Unsure of what to do, I asked someone at the hotel, but they were not able to advise me and only directed me to a local clinic.
Having had covid twice before, the situation was overwhelming. Thoughts like, “What if it’s covid again? What if I miss my flight? What if I can’t return to Japan?” consumed me. But as the saying goes, “If you don’t know, ask.” Following that advice, I went to the local clinic and explained my situation. I told them I needed to be on a flight back to Japan the next day and shared my symptoms.
The doctor was a very kind and friendly person who gave me some medication and diagnosed me, confirming that it wasn’t covid after all. It was such a relief. What amazed me the most was the fact that I could visit a clinic in a foreign country and communicate effectively.
Conclusion:
All in all, my trip to Singapore turned out to be an unexpected journey. Traveling alone at this time was an important step towards becoming an international traveler.
