After awhile..

Originally uploaded by Abducted by pirates

After awhile, I don't like to answer some questions. I just had a really fun day with the locals at a place and they will ask if I will be coming back. It's strange that within a day or two, they are almost like the close friends you have back home. And if I stay for a week or so, I know almost everybody in the village and I start to feel like a part of them. Goodbyes are so hard, everybody come and wave goodbye and tell you that you must come back one day. I really want to spend more time with them, keep in contact and of course see them again in the future.

But sometimes, deep down I know that maybe I might never come back to this place again in the future, or even if I do, it will be very long time later. From the "Sure!" and "Of course!", gradually I started answering with "I"ll love to!" and most of the time the people never probe further.

There is always a silence that follows. Then they will continue cheerfully about where can we go when I come back again.

I think they too know that the tourist don't always come back after awhile, and they might never have a chance to leave the place in their entire life.

Goodbyes are the hardest when you know you might never meet again.