So Long, and Thanks for All the Fish

The JR Line Hokkaido Namuro Line train departs Furano Station

You've likely noticed that I haven't posted an article in a number of months. I'm still traveling (the wanderlust hasn't waned), but other projects and life have proven more time-consuming than it is possible to continue doing it all. After some reflection, I’ve decided it’s time to say goodbye to The Travel Pimp's blog.

For over a decade, this blog has been my digital travel companion, chronicling adventures from serene temples in Kyoto to unexpected hospital stays along the way. It's been a repository for tales of long drives through mountain passes, spontaneous train journeys, and the myriad of experiences that come with embracing the unknown. Through words and images, I've tried to capture not just the destinations, but the emotions: the awe, the discomfort, the humor, the quiet moments, the chaos, and everything in between.

But more than the places, this journey has been about the people. Those I've met on the road, who offered directions, shared meals, or simply exchanged stories. And to you, the readers who've followed along, sent messages, and supported this journey from afar; thank you! Your encouragement and curiosity have meant more than you probably realize.

To the fellow travelers I've crossed paths with, whether for five minutes or five countries, thank you for your generosity, your perspective, and your companionship. Travel is ultimately about connection, and you reminded me of that whenever the adventures have felt a little heavy.

And to my incredible children, thank you for being my most adventurous companions. You've embraced the unfamiliar with giant smiles and curious minds, turning every detour into a discovery. If laughter does add time to your life we have a lot of road ahead of us.

I'm not stopping my travels; not by a long shot. The itch to wander is still in the DNA, like my inability to dance. But I've come to accept that I can't do it all, and that's okay. This blog, while a labor of love, takes time and energy I now need to put elsewhere.

The stories will continue, but they'll live in the pages of notebooks, in late-night conversations, in shared memories, and maybe one day, in another form. Who knows?

For now, though, it's time to close this chapter.

Thank you, again... for everything.

In the meantime, to blend a sentiment inspired by Nicole Sutherland with the poetic touch of Tom Robbins, "I wish for you someone who looks at you the way I look at a travel brochure", and may you "travel on a train that smells like snowflakes."

With gratitude and wanderlust,

Jehan