September 19, 2016

September 19, 2016

Headed down for our last breakfast in Toyokoro a little early this morning so we wouldn't have to feel rushed to be back in time to have our luggage all ready to load on the bus by 8:30.  Was reminded of the challenge in being able to simply receive a gift when Sharon was faced with a couple of Snoopy themed gifts from the ladies in the kitchen this morning.  Watching Sharon struggle with simply saying thank you and knowing she couldn't do anything to reciprocate was such a powerful reminder for me.  I've been faced with this learning myself on so many occasions and each time I know I get a little better but always I'm reminded at how much of a challenge it can be to simply stay present and say "thank you" and let go of the feeling of indebtedness or the need to somehow pay it back.  It is these moments of opportunity for learning and personal growth that are the core of my addiction to travel.

The other part of my addiction to travel is the people you meet and the friends you make while "on the road".  The friends we're saying good bye to this morning are some of the most special people I've ever had the good fortune to know and I thank my lucky stars that I'm getting to have this experience yet again!

Before we knew it the time had come....the bus arrived and our luggage was loaded onto the bus and into the vehicle  that would carry the overflow of baggage back to Sapporo for us.  In addition to the busses arrival....there seemed to be half the city out to bid us farewell too!  The mayor and his wife, Josh (former AET at Toyokoro who is now posted at the northern most town on Hokkaido), Janet (current AET), people from the town hall, sooo many people from the Sister City Committee, Takai, Anda, Koji, Mrs Sato, the home stay families, Masumi, Shima, Tanaka (always taking photos), Hirose, Masato, and so many more.  There were tears all around....tears that were half happy and half sad.  People who' d never even met a few days before were now saying good bye to dear friends.  Young people who' d been living with host families were now saying good bye to their Japanese "mom and dad".  Darlene and I were saying good bye to friends we've made over the past 20+ years for perhaps the final time....yes....it was an emotional scene as we smiled through our tears.  I was again reminded of the ability of these people and this culture to be so very very present and in the moment.  That presence really is a gift and one of the life lessons that I have as my "take away" from this visit.

We waved out the windows and our Toyokoro hosts waved from the parking lot until our bus was completely out of sight.  Masato and Shima San came with us all the way to Sapporo only to have to turn around and make the trek back to Toyokoro the same day.  The fellow driving the bus and the one driving the extra luggage vehicle must have been so tired!  The trip takes about four hours each way but the roads are really good so that makes it a little easier to take I'm sure.  A couple of interesting things from along the way between Toyokoro and Sapporo include: There are tunnels....loooonnnnggggg tunnels and lots of them!  It really is a puzzle for me as the hills they're going through aren't all that high...there is no reason the road couldn't go over the hill rather than spend whatever exorbitant amount it would have cost to build that 4 km tunnel through it.  There are signs warning of "fox crossing"....can't say I've ever seen those before!  We passed a couple of amazing looking ski resorts along the way.  They sure know how to do ice cream here!  Today this clever country is celebrating a national holiday that is called Seniors Day....yep.....they're celebrating every person who is a senior!

Once we'd arrived back at the Mercure Hotel in Sapporo the whole group of us stood on the sidewalk out front waving like madmen until the bus and the last of our Toyokoro friends were completely out of sight.  Now our transition in the direction of home begins as we shift from the cozy embrace of our Sister City into the hustle and bustle of Sapporo.  Just three more sleeps and we'll be on our way back to Summerland.  But...that's still three sleeps away and that's plenty of time for more adventure so....till next time....sayonara,

Lorrie and Darlene