Great writing as always. It must be hard to lay your feelings out for all to read, but it must be cathartic at some level. I enjoyed your analogy of the “cut on your gums.” Very true. Some of your writing reminds me of the Thomas Wolfe quote “you can never go home again.” After traveling for the last 30 years or so, there was a quote that I have always remembered, “there are only two good places to live, the town you just left and the town that you are going to.” Good luck with your job, and after this year long journey you should consider a European backpacking blog tour. Just a thought.

Chris