Nearing the End - So Many to Thank

As we hit Australia and New Zealand and reintegration to cultural norms we have been without for at least 6 months, it is with mixed emotions that we think of heading home and the end of our year away. It is also a time where traveling is easy and the reflection on the year abroad has started, somewhat subconsciously. The first thing and one thing I continue to think about is how many people have contributed to making our year so wonderful and successful.  What will follow is more likely a list, because I am not sure how else to thank everyone... but what you will notice is the number of people on the list - it is truly staggering. Thank you to everyone - and please, we hope we can reciprocate the hospitality one day!

Throughout the year we have family and old and new friends to thank for a whole host of things - from looking after our own mail and whatever came up at home to  maps, advice, cars, meals, opening their homes, mail packages, books, medical advice, wireless, suggestions....

so here goes -
Mom, Liz, Granny Griz - keeping everything in order at our home including our mail, taxes, storing treasures and our car......
Rick and Kimm - storing the truck and making sure the boat runs ( regularly;)  )
Ma, Margarete, Oma - hosted us, amazing brunch we still talk about
Andy - drives to the airport, meals and a few laughs
Garth, Patricia, Logan, Alexander, and Marcus - for the loan of your car while in cowtown and the wonderful Waiperous hospitality (ie white water tubing!!)
Dad, Opa Rudi and Helene - yummy dinner out
Vic and Carolyn - Iceland maps and tips that were invaluable
Dad, Brian Grandpa B, Jayne, Granny Bird - a car for 6 weeks, hosting 2 action packed days in London, hosting us in Salcombe
Bruce and Mona - mmmmmm dinner and maps
Michael, Jackie and Joshi - so much fun in Brittany, hosting us in their amazing yard
Mike and Sue - Thanks for the use of the kitchen and not cringing too much!
Chris and HW, Michael and Stephan -  tour guide Michy, Footie games, Birthday bike rides and dinner, hosting us in Trier ....
Geronimo and Marina - what can we say  (Chris’ horses for those of you who don’t know!)
Chris and HW’s friendly neighbours - lending us bikes!
Paddy, Racquel and Tiego - fun at the beach and two amazing Portuguese dinners...and a jersey!
Uncle Bertie, Tante Gelli, and Karin -for offering your home and hosting us
Uncle Mundi - special care package (yummy!)
Hofmann clan from Austria - your generosity
Uncle Willy, Tante Crystal, Willy, Astrid, Christoph and Johannes- a wonderful day of sightseeing and getting to know you again......
The Lezzards - a fun ferry ride and a new card game - Honk honk...
Nathan - above and beyond in the now advice for visas to Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam and yummy thick shakes in Dahab... - watch out Nathan, we are coming to Kauai in March (for real)
Oma and Chris ( again ) - what a great two days in Alexandria together
Andrea - fun for the kids and wireless connectivity
Deanne, Mark and Felicity - 12 great days in your fabulous Capetown flat.
Mrs Koch - helping us with key logistics
South Africa Hwy Patrol - Bernie got his first speeding ticket - thanks!
Jill - cd’s and advice for South Africa travels
Dawn, Jackie and Aaron - package of books and goodies that arrived in Capetown - yay
Sterpins and O’Cosbeys - Vietnam leads and advice
Mennau, Ben, and Denni - super travel companions on a memorable part of the journey
Francois, Dominique and Alma Materre clan (Mayelle, Mattias and Alex) - fun days of homeschooling and trips around Chiang Mai
Dharma - wisdom and help planning our self guided, non portered trek in Nepal
Dindu and family - for showing us a level of hospitality equal to the beauty of the Himalaya.
Dave, Shelly, Cal and Mitch - your home being our home - even if it was a little longer than planned.
Anna - doing all our laundry!
Blu man Chu - Showing us Shanghai and being a great host
Friends of Shaun’s - hosting us for a great BBQ
Daren, Cynthia, Molly, Marcus - another crazy year off family to bounce stories and ideas off.  Also for giving the kids real kid time and the adult a break.....See you in Vancouver sometime!
Donna - letting us take over your home and giving Emilia a day of International School life.
Wes, Elise, Thomas, Analena and Sophie  - Hosting us in Singapore after a 5 minute meeting in Laos and days before your departure for the summer. Emilia has a special thanks for her American Doll too!  Come and visit us in Rossland.
Ian and Claude - you guys are amazing - not sure how we can ever repay the favours - sooo many!  But, hope we can.
Karin - for your medical advice via email
Helen and John, Keiran, Paula, Sammie, Gaby, Freesia -playing and feasting on the sapphire coast. Giving the kids “home” friend time. Sleepover time - woo hoo says Emilia.
Cyndi and Damien - great New Zealand tips
Richard - tips on places to stay in Rarotonga
Mark and Tracey, Ben, Kevin, LiLi - for our anticipated home invasion and reintroduction to Canadian ways.
sd20 - for allowing deferred salaries with general leaves - we are so much richer for the experiences

IF I have forgotten anyone - huge Apologies and we owe you double!

So as you can see, the list is long. The thank yous have been endless and have made such a huge difference to the success of our trip.

Japan - a Visit With an Old Friend

Well it has been about 3 weeks since we left Japan and we have visited Singapore since then and are currently in Australia. Still, I find my mind wandering back to the land of the rising sun every once in a while as our visit there was for me, in many ways, like visiting with an old friend.

Though I lived in Japan over 20 years ago, it was great to be back amongst so much that was familiar. From people's mannerisms, to fragments of language, to the food - it all came back to me with vivid clarity. Well OK, the language did not come to me with any clarity, but I did find myself remembering phrases that I never would have remembered out of the context of being there. In some cases I knew to use the phrase but needed to ask what it meant again - I just remembered to say it. Strange what gets stored in some unused corner of our memories. It was fun to eat Okonomiyaki with the family and especially to have it in Hiroshima - famous for their take on this Japanese dish. And I will always get a kick out of the politeness of the Japanese people who make "sorry" Canadians seem brash.

We went to some sites that I had experienced when I lived there, but it was especially fun to go back to Kurume -  the town I lived and worked so many years ago. We even checked out the old apartment - not much back then and pretty much the same now, but the kids enjoyed seeing where I lived. We also checked out the Dojo where I studied Kudo - the art of Japanese archery. I didn't see my sensei, but I was glad to hear he was still around and active in the dojo.

I don't really miss living there, it was an important part of my life at the time, but I also remember being ready to leave when I did. Japan had given me some great lessons and opened my mind to worlds beyond what I had known. That in itself was an incredible gift and likely one of the keys to our Four in the World journey decision.

In the end, like other old and good friends, Japan will always have an important place in my heart and in who I am. And again, like with friends, I will need to make sure I nurture that relationship to keep it fresh.