Terlingua to Toronto or, welcome home?

After seemingly endless hours driving from Terlingua to Toronto earlier this week, I am now back in The City. And for the first couple of days it felt rather strange. Buildings instead of mountains, paved roads instead of dirt trails. The horizon beyond me has shrunk while the volume around me has risen. And what happened to the morning sun I so enjoy, hidden behind concrete and glass? In the desert I am known to many, in the city I am but one of millions.

It would seem that I will not escape the Canadian winter unscathed; it has been cold and snowing the past several days. I am taking it personally, certain that I am being punished for living the winter months under the warm, sunny skies of Big Bend.

With just a day to get reoriented, I have been busy back at work at Sweet Pete’s Bike Shop. Staying at my cousin’s house for a week, I am still in search of a place to live for the summer. It is proving nearly impossible to find a suitable parking arrangement so I will likely have to rent a room somewhere near the bike shop.

Slowly reconnecting with dear old friends I often hear “welcome home.” Sergio quickly corrected himself, extending his hand, a big smile and ” welcome back, brother.” Though I no longer consider Toronto my home, it is always such a good feeling to be surrounded by those you love.
And love is what I’ve been feeling since I got here. Meeting for coffee, dinner dates, beers at the shop after hours. Reconnecting with old friends and meeting new ones, even bumping into people on the street I’ve not seem for years.

Though it may be cold outside, the warmth I’ve been feeling this past week keeps me smiling. After all, home is not a place, but a feeling. And it feels pretty darn good to be back in The City.