Boarding Time

I spent Valentine's Day this year in Yokohama for the Leaver's Conference. This conference was designed to prepare JETs for returning to the "real world." Instantly I fell in love with the city. Situated right along the bay, it has really fresh ocean air, and it is the kind of city where you would rather walk than drive because of the wide, manicured sidewalks lined with trees and cafes. Chinatown is great, and spending the evening on the pier is terribly romantic.

Due to the nature of the conference I think I naturally associate Yokohama with leaving. Little did I know at the time, however, that Yokohama would be the place from which I would depart Japan.

Today I boarded the TSS Topaz. We won't leave until tomorrow, but as a member of a staff we are allowed to move in a little early so that we can help all the passengers board tomorrow. As I wandered the streets of Yokohama this evening, I take myself back to five months ago. Back when I didn't know what I would do after being a JET, and when Peace Boat was only a glimmer of a possibility. Silly me, I didn't even realize that five months ago, my late night walks with my girlfriends was exactly where I would be boarding a ship.

It just all seems so circular and perfect. Maybe I am speaking to early and this will all turn out to be a disaster, but right now, at this moment, I feel that all the pieces are falling into place...


So, tonight I sleep on the ship for the first time. I hope I don't get too sea sick. I already feel a bit nautious, and we aren't even moving yet!