Sayonara

Wet cherry blossoms
fall on the pavement telling
us goodbye for now

Sayonara is a beautiful word in Japanese, but it sounds just a little too final -- like it could be the last time you see someone. There's a hint of sadness in it.

The sadness feels appropriate now. But I hope not the final parting. Tomorrow morning we leave Shimoda on a train to Tokyo, then Narita Airport. From there Carolyn will fly home to Boston, and I'll fly to Vancouver, where I'll spend a couple of days with Liz, Duncan, and George. Then on Saturday, George and I will set out on our Pacific Coast cycling adventure.

But in the meantime, Carolyn and I are enjoying a final evening together in Japan, listening to the rain fall softly outside. The pink is turning more to green as the cherry blossoms fall to the ground -- right on cue.

Sayonara (for now), Japan.