Arriving versus Leaving

Saying goodbye is always hard.  How you do it depends on how you re-dress your wounds. Do you procrastinate and quickly rip it off at the last second? Or maybe you slowly peel back the bandage, wincing at each uncovered centimeter? Either way there is pain. But there is still the excitement of discovering something new.

                   

Leaving home for the last time, I found myself gazing around trying to memorize every nock and cranny. However, once I turned away I didn't look back. This was the start of a new life, a way to change my view and grow into a better person.

In the airport, past the gates, I was greeted by a team of Japanese volunteer students who were helping incoming foreign students find their way to Nagoya University of Foreign Studies or NUFS.  All of them, particularly Takami-san, were attentive and friendly.

I took a bus from the airport to the stop nearest NUFS in Nisshin. From there more students placed me in a cab headed to Proxy Friends where I am staying.  My entire room is about the size of my kitchen in Georgia, so it took a minute to adjust to the lack of space. However, I have a splendid view of Nisshin and one of my friends, Kimberly-san is right next door.