That night, as Lila sat at home, the quiet hum of the city outside her window seemed distant and insignificant. Her mind, however, was racing. The images from the book—of sacred cats, serene beaches, and vibrant markets—kept replaying in her mind. The thought of Thailand had taken root in her heart, and it wasn’t going away. The book had awakened something deep within her, a longing for adventure she hadn’t realized she’d been missing.
As she sat at her desk, her fingers hovered over her laptop’s keyboard. It was as though her curiosity had taken on a life of its own, pushing her to learn more. Without fully realizing it, she began typing, searching for anything and everything related to Thailand. She found herself diving into travel blogs, looking at photos of the pristine beaches of Koh Samui, the golden temples of Chiang Mai, and the bustling streets of Bangkok. Every image seemed to call to her—pictures of clear blue waters, the glow of lanterns floating in the night sky, and crowds of people gathered in the vibrant markets.
She scrolled endlessly, captivated by the culture, the history, and the breathtaking landscapes that seemed so foreign yet somehow inviting. The descriptions she read echoed the feeling she’d had when first reading the book—the sensation that Thailand wasn’t just a place to visit; it was a place to discover, to experience on a deeper level. She imagined herself walking through the narrow streets of old towns, hearing the sounds of laughter and music, feeling the warm sun on her skin as she explored the lush landscapes.
The more she read, the more she felt drawn to the country. It was more than just the beauty—it was the promise of something new, something entirely different from her life in Japan. The warm weather, the bustling life, the opportunities to try new foods, meet new people, and experience a culture rich in tradition. Everything about Thailand seemed like the perfect antidote to the cold, quiet routine of her life in Sapporo.
As she thought more about it, a small but powerful voice inside her urged, “This is it. This is what you need.” Lila had just graduated from university, and while her family had begun suggesting she start looking for work, she couldn’t shake the feeling that she wasn’t ready. Not yet.
The idea of jumping into a career immediately seemed too overwhelming, too stifling. She had been working toward her degree for so long, but now, she felt like she needed a break—a chance to explore something new, to breathe, and to discover more about the world around her. She needed an adventure, something that would help her grow, that would teach her more than any office job could.
With a sense of excitement bubbling up inside her, Lila realized she was searching for more than just a vacation. She was seeking a journey—something that would challenge her, open her eyes to new perspectives, and help her understand not just the world, but herself.
The thought of taking a solo trip to Thailand seemed like the perfect opportunity to step away from the familiar, to shed the expectations that had always been placed on her, and to carve out her own path. “Maybe this is what I’ve been waiting for,” she thought, her heart racing with the possibility. The trip would give her the chance to reflect on everything she had learned up until now and explore what lay ahead.
She glanced at her phone, and without thinking twice, began to search for flights. There was no turning back now—she was going.
