Souls Ablaze

The first two chapters of Souls Ablaze have been uploaded here.

Storyline:

In this second installment of The Paul and Sandy saga the couple find themselves on the way to Europe to get married at last. Grappling with all the complex arrangements of a whirlwind German wedding in a quaint little church discovered online before heading to Venice for a well-deserved honeymoon. Running into a series of interesting and colorful characters along the way in the midst of the many charms and majesty of one of Europe’s oldest and most famous cities. Afterwards it’s off to Japan on the next leg of their journey to begin a brand new chapter in their lives living and working abroad.

They begin teaching English in Japan, facing their fair share of mishaps, missteps, challenges and obstacles along the way, adding to the overall kaleidoscope of awkward and unexpected encounters they eventually face. Interacting regularly with enigmatic, unhinged, freewheeling and free-spirited characters during the course of hugely varied experiences abroad. Japanese and expat friends alike become seminal in altering their perspective on life, living and loving in Tokyo. They adapt quickly and begin thriving in their new environment, all the while growing closer as a couple; maturing and expanding their awareness of themselves in addition to all they lacked back in the US. Provinciality gradually falls away as they eagerly adjust to their new home.

Adventures abound in Tokyo and the broader countryside as the two lovers become engrossed in the wonder of varied and disparate surroundings. Occasionally taking time out for far-flung destinations in other parts of Asia during work breaks. Bali, their first excursion outside Japan, blows their minds before venturing to other Asian hotspots equally as impressive. What happens when they find new friendships but scores of unexpected and shocking encounters marked by heartfelt conversations with their new Japanese and expat counterparts, prompting reflection on their new environment and all they missed out on back home.

Cross-cultural relationships flourish and flounder in turn under external forces as they confront biases, alien concepts and prejudices in the local population as well as expats’ reflections on them. Accompanied on the whole by a basket of new encounters related to how they view themselves in their new surroundings and others perceive them as rank outsiders.