In “The Hobbit,” J.R.R. Tolkien added a clever insight when Bilbo has just left with the dwarves for his adventure.  Wait, he calls, I forgot my pocket handkerchief–we”ll have to go back to get it!  The dwarves chuckle, throw him a rag to use as a substitute, and continue on their way.  Throughout the novel, Tolkien brings up the missing handkerchief over and over again, as a way of reminding the reader just how far Bilbo has gone from his cozy home and out into a wild world.

I brought three handkerchiefs, and have used them quite a bit during my recent bout with the cold!  I have also used tissues, toilet paper, and paper towels–and my nose is quite raw and red!  Over the last few days I have wanted to just take a nice, long, warm bath, and snuggle in bed and let the cold do what it will.  Of course, that is not possible.  We have 26 students here, and classes and field trips, and even a simple grocery run requires a good walk, and buying only what you can carry, so you need to repeat these trips every other day, if not daily!

Having a handkerchief makes it easier.  But laundry facilities must be divided between 30 people (students plus professors), so you get a once a week slot, and everything must wait–and be done then for sure!  So the handkerchiefs get washed in the sink, dried over the back of a chair.

Tolkien’s mention of the handkerchief is used to remind the reader how far Bilbo has gone.  Looking at the three pair of pants and five shirts that is my entire wardrobe for 12 weeks is similar.  You leave behind a lot when you travel, and those little things that provide extra comfort at home are simply missing on the road.

On the other hand, like Bilbo’s handkerchief, those things are not really necessities.  So you lack a shirt?  You go shopping, in a place where everything is different–language, sizes, prices.  It is outside the comfort zone, but it is an adventure, and soon enough those become enjoyable experiences.  Karen and I pretty much try to sample new foods when we are out–the kinds of things, Karen says, that she would not likely cook at home. I have only one really hard rule when traveling–don’t eat at a McDonalds or any other American chain.  Even if I miss American food, I remind myself that I will be home soon and will then miss the foods I can only get here.  I have in the last week already had several dishes that I rarely see at home.

Of course, we always carry some things with us that are a piece of home.  This time around I am astounded at the ability of the computer to completely isolate you from your world.  My little laptop plays music from home, movies and TV shows from home, photos, games, news sites (like the New York Times), and I can even Skype.  I imagine you can come here and almost entirely miss the fact that you are not at home, if you focus entirely on the computer!  What a tragic missed opportunity that would be!

I am carrying both my computer and an iPad.  I need these for class.  I have my course notes and slide presentations on these devices, as well as the assigned readings.  The other day I was able to review my notes and the slides for class while on the bus, making the course preparation easier.  On the other hand, I was missing the great views from the window!  Which was why, after a few minutes, I closed the iPad and just gazed out the window for the rest of the way home.

Soon my cold will be gone and I will leave the handkerchiefs behind in my suitcase.  And soon I will be leaving the course prep work for just the evenings at the center, at a table in the living room, where I am writing this now.

Soon I will be more fully engaged in my new adventures.