A Bit Off the Beaten Path

There's some times when you look at your child and see either yourself or your child's other parent.  Today I saw my husband through my son's actions clear as day. 

I am trying to take my son to as many parks as possible.  We love going to new parks and it gives us a chance to see more of the neighborhood.  I don't have a Japanese phone yet, and my Wi-Fi only seems to work in the apartment (and therefore limited internet/GPS capabilities).  So, I have been loading a map on my phone and then I'm able to use the GPS, but I can't change my destination once I have ventured out.  I found today's park on a list of top parks in Tokyo.  It is only about a seven minute walk from our apartment.  I looked it up on the map and thought "oh, that's easy."

I think you know what is coming next.  We got lost.  I turned too early and the rest is history.  I hadn't even loaded the directions into my GPS because I thought I didn't need to.  So, we walked and we walked and we walked.  Truth be told, I don't mind being lost.  We didn't have an agenda or a schedule.  We weren't late or meeting anyone.  We had all day.  I actually like getting lost in new places when I don't have anything on my schedule.  I've been pleasantly lost in many countries and have discovered so many interesting things along the way.  I honestly didn't even know I stumbled upon THE Trevi Fountain and ate at one of the most popular gelato places in Italy until I returned to my hotel and told my roommate about my day.  All I knew was that I had a wonderful time getting lost and then found that day.

Japan is notoriously confusing.  The streets are never in a straight line and there is no rhyme or reason behind the building numbering.  You just have to know where to go or have the technology to aid your way.  Someone once told me the streets were designed to confuse foreigners/non-locals back in the day so the castles wouldn't be attacked.  Who knows if it is true or not, but it really makes sense to me.

As we wandered around, I thought we were having a good time.  Suddenly, my son stopped and looked at me and said "Are we really going to a park?  This is too far.  I am tired of walking."  And there staring at me was my husband.  I said "We are on an adventure.  Aren't you having fun?"  "No" he replied.  "You said we were going to a park.  Where is it?"  And from that point on, he was not having fun.  And I started asking for directions...

Well, we found our way eventually - partly due to the lovely people who directed me to the right part of town and partly due to us stumbling across a map in the right part of town which showed the park.  It only took us just over an hour.  And the park did not disappoint.  It is nicknamed Robot Park for obvious reasons.  We spent over 2 hours here (with a lunch break in the middle).

When it was time to go back home, it took us 7 minutes.  And now I know, just like my husband, my son hates to be lost and does not think it is amusing when I try to make light of it or make it into a game.