At the beginning of the week, I went to Groningen—just to catch my breath and change the scenery. I booked a hotel for two nights. Nothing ambitious, just a short reset.
It usually takes about two hours by train, but it took me longer this time—rail delays and train changes turned it into a four-hour journey. When I finally arrived, I had a surprising realization: I wanted to go home.
Not because I didn’t like the city, and not because I was tired. I just felt… at this moment, home feels better.
Still, I checked into the hotel, had lunch, a coffee, wandered a little in the evening. Back in my room, I found NHK World on TV. I thought, okay, maybe I can live here after all 😄
The next morning, I had a lovely breakfast at a canal-side bakery—really good, really peaceful. By five in the evening, I’d walked across most of the city, picked up some small gifts, and thought: why not go back early?
One night turned out to be enough. If I stayed longer, it wouldn’t be for pleasure—it would be just to “justify the trip.” But staying another night means more costs: dinner, breakfast, and another travel day lost. If I leave now, I get all of tomorrow back.
So I did. I packed up and went home.
It reminded me of a scene from a film—where the main character sets off on a long journey to find herself. But as soon as she starts walking, she suddenly knows. She turns around, because the answer had already arrived.
I think I understand that now.
I’m glad I went. Even just for one night. Sometimes that’s all you need to hear yourself clearly.
And you—do you know how to turn back when you feel “that’s enough”? Or do you always walk the whole road, just because you started?