Rooted in Town

I never regret traveling so much when I was younger, and went all out in my twenties and thirties; rarely staying in Singapore for more than three weeks at a go. Every weekend was a long weekend hanging out in nearby cities less than a 5-hour flight out. Those memories made and experiences absorbed, truly last a lifetime. While I do get a touch wistful every now and then about not traveling, I'm not resentful or discontented. I made a conscious choice to stay in town for Choya. I don't want to miss out on her short years. Well, it's not as if I don't travel, I do pop out on short trips. Like really short. Well, the husband cannot manage Choya on his own for more than six days. 

'Bring Choya to travel', people say. I had a serious whirl about it. No. Weighing in at 7.5kg and totalling 10kg in an airline-approved carrier, Choya busts all weight limits aboard commercial airlines. I'm not checking her into animal cargo for no good reason; a vacation isn't sufficient. To each pet owner's choice. 

I could fly her in a private jet. I do not want to join those newly popped up pet travel agencies because I can do a better job at logistics and sorting out administrative details even for pets. You know. Ha! BUT. Excuse me, I don't print money, so no to flying in a private jet to a vacation unless we have the free schedule to close up the flat for six months, put aside work and head out of town. Of course we can. But neither the husband or I are inclined to.  

I love it when friends send me photos when they're on vacation. I could stalk their social media, but when they take an extra step to send it to me in our chat windows, I feel extra loved, like they brought me along for that hour to their location. When people ask me if I'd like anything from the city they're in, there's usually nothing I want. I appreciate these little texts and words and photos. These make the best souvenirs for me. 

When J sent me a photo of the last bits of autumn, and blue skies and all, I sighed. This particular photo of gingko leaves on a sunny day. It's a gorgeous shot. (Who isn't in Japan right now! Tsk!) Ahhhh the turn of the seasons. I kinda miss that crisp feel of the cold. I shall renew all these experiences and begin the traveling again in the next season of life. For this season, I am rooted here.  

イチョウ 葉っぱ.