Leaving Seattle & Visiting the Parents

This will be my last blog from America.  

When I started this blog 5 months ago, I though getting the name "Leaving Amerika" (BTW, the use of the letter 'k' in America was only because the regular spelling was taken; it has no other significance) was a stroke of luck.  It's a memorable title!

But in less than 24 hours, that'll be it.  I won't be Leaving Amerika...  I will have LEFT America!  The title won't be so appropriate then!

Although I am still nervous and anxious about this endeavor, physically, I couldn't be in a better place to feel that way.  Right now, I am visiting my parents' home in California for a few days before leaving the country.  Not only has this been a good break between putting the hustle and bustle of closing down my old life before beginning a new, but also it's very calming and stress free (for me, anyways) going home.

When I say "home", I don't mean your ordinary home, the place you hang your hat, where your clothes are and your mail comes.  I mean the home where you went to high school, where you can eat mom's cooking, where you and dad talk sports.  It's where everyone comes at Christmas time.  It's a relaxing place to be.

This visit home feels different not only because I'm leaving the country, but also because home won't be here much longer either. My folks are selling the home, moving into an RV and by the next time I see them, they will be on the road full time, living in their Alfa.  Now, who of us hasn't thought of doing that on retirement?  It's a second American Dream.  

In this video blog, you'll hear my final thoughts on leaving, see me saying goodbye to Bliss the Cat, get a tour of Alfa RV and have one last Joko-goes-tromping-through-the-woods journey.  Enjoy!