Apropos international showers I have taken and beginning to feel at home in Taiwan, it’s time to go traveling! Over the last week I have officially caught the travel bug. And when I look back on experiences moving to new places, returning “home” to that place after a trip really made me feel like I belonged there. It’s the difference between vacationing and living somewhere, and nothing draws that contrast better than returning.
When I was living in Paris for 4 months as a college exchange student, my first return was a lovely evening when my friend and I got off the train (from Amsterdam) at Gare du Nord. I took the Métro back to Ternes, and watched the sunset from over the elevated section of the blue #2 line at Barbes Rouchechart, with a feeling of deep peace in my heart and mind. Paris was my city, and I was coming back to it with a sense of ownership and tired relief.
So in the coming months, I have some exciting trips in the planning stages! But where to go, what to see, eat, do? Continue reading