Parenting is like a python strangling the life out of my dreams, but I haven’t let go of one dream yet - to be an ambassador for Kumamoto City. This photo says it all; I have been keeping it on my phone since 2015.
My motivation stems from the observation that people in Kyushu are typically poorer than their richer counterparts in the bustling cities. If I could leverage my writing talent to drive more traffic to Kumamoto, it will mean the world to me. Also, I don’t need much in the form of remuneration. Some rice and sake from the Kumamoto tourist authorities would be nice, but an official title will be enough to motivate me (and feed my ego).
Anyway, now that my blog is alive and kicking, I should make a serious go at it.
But the thing is, I always refrain from telling my friends to stay in Kumamoto City when they ask for travel recommendations. Especially since Kumamoto Castle is undergoing construction, I can’t in all good conscience ask people to spend their precious time on a small city that boasts nothing exceptional.
Kumamoto City, however, was perfect for temporary residents like me. I loved:
- cycling my way everywhere. If I pedaled my way intentionally, warm padi fields would envelop my soul within 20 mins.
- spending a leisurely hour at Contemporary Art Museum Kumamoto. It’s one floor above Starbucks, so I could pair it with a meetup with a friend.
- dancing my heart out at Hinokuni Matsuri during the first weekend of August. Then, the major roads will be closed, paving the way for Kumamoto natives to be dressed in their Sunday best and dance traditional dances for two hours. The energy is electrifying; everyone seems to move in sync; and there is such a palpable sense of local pride. Vibing all the way.
- participating in events at the Kumamoto City International Center. I actually studied Italian for a bit via Japanese, my third language.
- joining a local Yosakoi dance group
I realise all this requires some investing of life energy. You gotta stay there for a while, get to know the locals, and build connections before these activities take on meaning for you. Which is why I shun away from fully endorsing Kumamoto City as a tourist spot.
But, now as I’m typing this, I realise that there is a way to circumvent around it. I could start by interviewing the people in Kumamoto City for my blog. After all, a friend went to patronise my favourite Sri Lankan restaurant based on my whole-hearted restaurant. He even brought back a packet of its mouthwatering curry for me. I should start by featuring the Sri Lankan owners on my award-winning blog, diaperfinancingfund.blogspot.com.