When my son was born I instantly knew I wanted to one day show him the world. As graduation from high school approached we discussed taking the trip finally. We would take a trip in a bit different way than most as we would go ultra light with small 22 liter packs and book flights as we went. This also meant we would find accommodations as well as things to do on the fly and very unplanned.
So after my son Diego graduated from high school, our family finally started an adventure we had talked about for years—traveling around the world together. Our first destination was Japan, but beyond that, we didn’t have much planned. We had one-way tickets, our first hotel booked, and the freedom to figure out the rest along the way.
The journey was a little more challenging for Diego because he was still recovering from ACL surgery and traveling with a brace and crutch. But once we arrived in Japan, the excitement took over. We exchanged money, figured out the train system, explored capsule toy machines, and eventually reached our hotel.
After getting some much-needed sleep, we woke up around midnight and headed back out. Our first meal in Japan was at a local ramen restaurant, where we enjoyed ramen and dumplings together.
One of my favorite moments came later that night when I began teaching Diego about photography. As we walked the streets, I showed him how ISO, shutter speed, and aperture work together.
This trip wasn’t just about seeing the world. For me, it was about experiencing it with my family and sharing knowledge and memories with my son that I hope he’ll carry with him long after the journey ends.