In a small way, a very small way coming home from an RTW or continental ride might be like soldiers or war correspondents coming home from war.
The experiences... those that do not become nightmares or fodder for social situations or less and less humorous situations that eventually extinguish themselves are generally supported by videos and photos and the mandates of daily diaries, and these tend to live on, and those too emotionally expensive to relate, just die.

Acquiescenceships, friendships and enemyships are what is next and, until death never finished, and, sometimes not even finished by death.

In 1967, while traveling, I met a young woman in Trinidad, our affair was brief, but we promised to meed again in five years, no matter what. In exactly five years, she was in Halifax and I was in Tampa, so I quit my job and drove to Halifax and she quit her job and together we drove to Acapulco. It is not the journey but the people you meet and love along the way. She is gone now, yet not gone from my thoughts and yes I confess my dreams.

And, while traveling, an inconsiderate word or action might offend or hurt someone, and that lives on.

I have always believed it is not what has been done to me, but what I have done to others that is what really counts. I am still working out amends for careless, inconsiderate words and actions that unthinkingly undercut the natural affinity we all have for others.

Friends are forever, on the road or at home.

So, what is next is what is now. Make and keep friends while traveling or not, and make damn sure you offend only those you truly wish to offend. Be careful in your words and actions and be confident that you can always do the right thing. Know you can survive and that you can help others survive.

Of course, shit happens, that is a good reason to buy insurance and learn how to make amends. Like in war, the friends and enemies you made while traveling are more than what's next, they are what is.

xfiltrate