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Journey Back To America: First Contact

Since coming to Japan, I’ve only gone back to the US once, and that was nearly five years ago in 2013.

This year will be the first time coming back since then, and I have this opportunity because my company’s Grand Meetup is taking place in America this year. Granted, the meetup is in Orlando, Florida — the opposite end of San Diego (my hometown) — I still feel at home.

Leaving Sapporo

Bus to the airport

Lunch

Connecting flight

The main leg

Upon Arrival

Immigration Officer: You currently live in Japan, but you’re here on business?

Me: That’s correct, sir.

Immigration Officer: And what field of work is this in?

Me: Web development.

Immigration Officer: Ah, so I.T. then.

*stamp, stamp, stamp*

Immigration Officer: *hands me back my passport* You have a good day. Welcome home.

Me: Thank you, glad to be back, sir.

Hotel Hilton Orlando Buena Vista

Giant GM decal right when you walk the front!

Custom Automattic message in the room as well 😀

Local chocolates for the team

My basecamp for the week 🙂

Mandatory Family FaceTime

I’ll be in Orlando for a whole week until October 6th, spending time with the entire Automattic crew! I’ll try to make a daily post of my experience if I can. Otherwise, if not, expect a long epic one at the very end 🙂

Team Patronus Meetup #15

Meetup End. (another late post — last one!)

Goodbyes aren’t always easy, and the week sped by to an end before we knew it. Rest assured, we’ll all be seeing each other again soon in few months time at our company’s Grand Meetup, which will be held in Florida this year 🙂

Team Patronus Meetup #14

Activity Day: Kumano Kodo (late post)

Nachi Falls (那智滝 Nachi no Taki) in Nachikatsuura, Wakayama Prefecture, Japan, is one of the best-known waterfalls in Japan. With a drop of 133 meters (and 13 meters wide), it is the country’s tallest water fall with single uninterrupted drop.

Believed to house a kami called Hiryū Gongen worshiped at Kumano Nachi Taisha, it is part of the “Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range” UNESCO World Heritage Site.Continue reading “Team Patronus Meetup #14”