Day 10, Back to Taipei – With A Hug, A Heart Full, and A Pocket of Dreams

The plane touched down in Taipei just as the morning sun started peeking through the clouds. My body was tired, my legs stiff from the flight, and my eyes puffy from barely sleeping at the airport. But my heart? Oh, it was doing somersaults.

Why? Because after 10 days of running through temples, sliding on snowy mountains, getting lost in train stations, and eating way too much konbini food—I was finally home.

Well, almost.

I stepped out, dragging my faithful suitcase behind me like a loyal travel buddy, and there he was—my husband. Standing with that sleepy smile on his face, wearing the same hoodie I left him in ten days ago. I almost dropped everything and ran.

Hug. Tight. Warm. Real.

I missed that hug. Honestly, if it weren’t for him waiting there, I think I might’ve cried a little. Not the dramatic kind. Just the soft, quiet kind that happens when you realize a beautiful trip has ended.

back to Taipei felt… strange. Like waking up from a dream but still having the sparkles on your pillow.

Japan had done something to me. It wasn't just the temples, or the snowy peaks, or the magical teamLab lights. It was the feeling. The feeling of discovering new streets, trying new things, getting lost, laughing about it, and then finding yourself again.

I was happy to be home, yes. But a part of me stayed back in Kyoto, sitting by the Kamo River, whispering "Let’s do this again someday."We got back home, dropped our bags like fallen warriors, and just collapsed on the bed. No words needed. Just rest.

But deep down, my mind was already doing the thing again—dreaming.

Because this trip reminded me of something: there’s more out there. More places to see, more prayers to whisper, more things to work for.

So maybe it’s time to work a little harder. Pray a little longer.

And when the time is right—go again.

And guess what? Another journey is already around the corner! My mom and aunty are coming in February, and I have a whole new adventure to plan.

So yeah, I’m back in Taipei. But I’m not the same girl who left.

I came back with a hug, a heart full of stories, and a pocket full of dreams—just waiting to come true.