Destination Spotlight: Go Where the Party Is
So, here at Collette we have these round, rather large buttons, emblazoned with the Collette logo and the statement, “My Dream Destination is”. There is an area for you to write your personal must-see vacation spot in Sharpie marker. These pins are typically handed out at trade shows and other presentations but many Collette employees have them as well and have decorated their work spaces with them. Just walking around the marketing department where I work, I see that my co-workers are interested in going to Egypt, Costa Rica, Ireland, Israel, Africa, and Antarctica. And while my dream destination changes daily, the place I wrote on my pin a few years back is Japan.
Perhaps you are asking yourself, “Why Japan?” I guess I have always had a fascination with eastern culture. In college I majored in International Relations and the scheduling gods seemed to have blessed me with an abundance of courses on Asia — its history and cultural traditions from past to present. If I were a betting gal, I would venture that these were the classes that met in the afternoon. I knew better than to register for 8:35AM classes.
Now my mother-in-law just shakes her head at this destination choice. It seems that some people of a certain generation (she is an octogenarian) haven’t forgotten the horrors of World War II. And for good reason. My late father-in-law fought in the Pacific during WWII and I am sure Japan is the last place he would have chosen to vacation as well. But I’m of a different mindset (and a different generation). When I think of Japan, I think of things like cherry blossoms; sushi; electronics; temples and gardens; Zen and tea ceremonies; the novel, Memoirs of a Geisha; and Bill Murray in Lost in Translation. 
I’ve been thinking of Japan recently because Nara is celebrating a momentous birthday in 2010 and Japan’s first capital is launching a series of impressive events to commemorate its 1,300th anniversary. Nara is home to a number of historically significant sites including ancient shrines and Japan’s largest statue of Buddha.
Never one to shy away from a party, a yearlong celebration may be just the impetus I need to realize my dream destination in 2010.
posted by Melissa McKee
Collette Vacations
Tags: 2010, Current Events, Destination Spotlight, Dream Destination, Japan, Nara
