For a while now we have been doing Airbnb with one of our rooms in our over-sized apartment. It is a way of making some extra money and also making use of the space. In previous years, I hosted guests on Couchsurfing. However, it is more difficult in this country to Couchsurf, but recently the Airbnb has become legal and encouraged in some ways.
We have had a few come and go. For the most part, I make it clear that interaction with us is probably unlikely so as to avoid any expectations of us as hosts other than providing space to sleep and rest.
My introverted ways find this the best policy to keep and still enjoy the experience of doing Airbnb.
Three weeks ago, we had a guest arrive with whom we quickly became friends.
It is a rare occasion that this happens, but from our very first conversation there was a connection for M as well as for me. R was an amazing guest, great conversationalist and kept us laughing throughout the weeks that he stayed.
After the first week through Airbnb, we invited him to stay for as long as he liked since he was so easy to get along with.
Now, three weeks later, he has moved on to Dubai. There is a chance that he might come back, but in the meantime it is strange to not have him around.
I used to think it was a bit weird to say that one is missed after a visit or that the place is ‘quiet’ when others are gone, but over the years of coming and going I realized this is true. Even with someone who was only in our lives for three weeks, his presence is missed in the house.
Perhaps it is true that our souls leave a little bit behind when our paths cross. This is the meaning of missing someone or when death takes us, the piece that is left behind that we mourn over.
So, even though it was a short period of time for our paths to cross, R’s presence is missed. No doubt we shall keep in touch and perhaps see each other again somewhere someday. π
~T π
