So here I am

My companions have left for China... and I remain, by choice. Oh I enjoy traveling, the new sights and sounds, taists and smells. And the company would have been excellent. So, why did I choose to remain behind in Takarazuka (Japan)? The answer would sound quite simple at first, even though it is two-fold. "Money and a lack of interest." But wait! I just said that I enjoy traveling so... why this lack of interest? I mean I do find Chinese history to be quite fascinating, I actually enjoy traditional Chinese music, the great wall is something that I would love to see, as well as the forbidden city. So, why am I sitting where I am? Well, I could raise the money issue and just leave it at that. Because to be honest I haven't saved near as much as I had hoped to before coming to teach English here in Japan. This was the initial reason for my decision to remain behind, but in the past few days a quiet, unspoken longing has finally found it's voice. "There is only one trip that I desire to make at this point in time and that is the trip home." Oh many of my friends and family are aware that I have looked forward to returning to Canada for some time now. I mean being separated from that special someone in your life for 7 months is enough to make anyone eager to jump on the next plain home. But I hadn't realized until now that my desire to travel has almost completely vanished. Now I don't suspect that this will be a permanent state-of-being. Becky and I still talk quite frequently of traveling and visiting Europe is still near the top of my list of things that I want to do in the not so distant future, but for now ... my feet desire to walk in only one direction, home. So, here I am. Sitting in this quiet appartment, listing to the commuter trains pass bye and knowing that in twelve days I will be on one of those trains and on my way home.