Goodbyes

Aaron and Evelyn had chosen to stay long enough to see the festival, and were leaving Tsushima the very next day. Luckily, that Monday was a holiday for everyone. Joey, Rose, Joe, and I went up to the airport to say goodbye. There were about fifty various townsfolk there for the exact same reason. They included some of their students, parents of those students, fellow teachers, and adults from their English conversation groups. We watched them go through security--Evelyn made it all the way through before she teared up!--and waved one last time as they got on the plane.

For me, the second year more or less officially began with their departure. It was great having them around to show me the ropes, and I only hope to pass on their kindness to the new folks.

The four of us took care of some errands--Rose's and Joe's luggage had finally arrived, and Joey needed to book a ferry to Fukuoka for his trip to Thailand the next weekend--and then reconvened at Otaura, the beach closest to me. We spent most of the afternoon just chilling out with a frisbee, baseball, and snorkels.