Comments on: Signs II

By: Warren McBride

Warren McBride — Sun, 03 May 2009 11:31:47 +0000

Dear James Family: After visiting the “other” James family in Canada’s north, then on your way back to Washington DC, drop into the Canada’s capital, Ottawa, and visit the McBrides (the RTW Snowfree McBrides). We’d welcome you to our house and give you the royal tour of our fair city.
Warren

By: Lisa

Lisa — Fri, 01 May 2009 00:58:07 +0000

You know, there is nothing particularly magical about a year (don’t tell Joan Didion I said that). Nine + months is really a significant chunk of time. I think it has a natural rhythm about it. How long is a school year? A pregnancy? Think how ready we and/or our kids are to be “done” or to move on to the next phase at the end of nine or so months.
‘See you on Sunnyside.

By: Craig

Craig — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 18:50:50 +0000

@Rick -
I thought about that conversation often
@Claudette –
We will be following your advice!

By: Rick James

Rick James — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 17:34:11 +0000

Never mind visiting family Claudette, the W-James’ should come and visit us!!!

Yes Craig, I seem to remember a certain phone conversation with you almost exactly a year ago about this very topic. I think you were a little mystified at such an occurrence, but still respectful of the possibility. It’s a concept almost impossible to explain to those who haven’t experienced it. Claudette’s correct though in saying that our drive across the country reconnecting with various friends and family was a perfect transition back into “regular” life.

By: Claudette

Claudette — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 15:34:19 +0000

Hi James Family,

We have loved following your updates. This post in particular reminder me so much of what we experienced that I had to look back at our weblog to discover that Rick had wrote about exactly the same feeling in his post “Reflections After Nine Months” on May 7, 2008. My only suggestion to you is that if you have the time in lieu of staying in Europe, visit family and friends around North America, before getting back to your home, as the familiar is a very nice way to finish off the trip relaxed and rested.

By: Craig

Craig — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 15:22:26 +0000

@ Kati: Chalk it up to another effect of road-weariness. When we left the backpack on the sidewalk, I had fallen behind on doing back-ups… You can bet I caught up quickly as soon as we got to our new hostel!

Craig

By: Kati

Kati — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 14:06:18 +0000

I have lately become quite obsessed with your journey and website and the careful way that you have put together clearly one of the top5 RTW websites that exist… So I have to say: For someone who plans their trip and everything with care, how is it possible that you don’t have back-ups for all the pictures/videos/stories? Surely they cannot only exist in one piece of your luggage…

By: Dawn

Dawn — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 02:46:28 +0000

There is definitely a time when you know when to say when. And when it hits, you know it. I think we tried to ignore it for a while, but then it was a matter of us saying “we’re ready” and heading home. Travel is tough, a vacation it is not. Then you wait for the bug to bite you again….what an adventure you have all had, and what experiences you are coming away with. Europe will be there when you are ready to pack those bags again. And fresh new eyes will take in so much more than doing it just to say you did it.

By: Nik

Nik — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 19:52:27 +0000

Craig,

Those words in the fortune really does ring true to heart eh? I’m sure that no matter what, your traveling experiences would be something to treasure and cherish.. And when the signs came back in future to whisper you the sweet nothings of travel, dont hesitate to heed it and jump back in again!

Very glad you didn’t lose all your stuff right there in Tokyo..

Cheers,

By: Doug Spiro

Doug Spiro — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 16:21:10 +0000

Craig,
As I have learned from the 17 countries you have visited, the 38 border crossings and nearly ten months on the road. You need to pay attention to the SIGNS!

And as Forrest Gump said, “I’m pretty tired… I think I’ll go home now” sound like good advice for the James Gang.