What did it all mean?

Only two more days in my trip.  Even though I've left boxes in China I think this concludes the cycle: Taiwan and beyond.
I started two years ago with the idea of going beyond the ordinary, disrupting my patterns, pursuing the dream to see where it leads.  It has been quite a ride - 6 months in Taiwan, more than a year in China and three months in SE Asian countries. What has happened to me? Have I learned something? Does this clarify my direction in the new reality of retirement? This post is an attempt at summary.
1) Taiwan was beautiful, comfortable and challenging.  The people were very kind to me. I made some bad decisions and some good ones. What stands out most in my memory is Alice. Such a sweet girl, and I was so lucky to meet her.  Alice offered me a way to look at myself as an older man with wisdom, knowledge and experience to share. I loved just being in her company - her energy, her humour and her unflagging generosity. She set me on the path back to China. In her I could see the value of my future in helping Chinese young people to learn English.  I saw how I can be a window for them through which they can start to understand a far wider world.  In a way, Taiwan was too easy for me and there are already plenty of young people from Western countries teaching English.  If I want to understand the Chinese world I should go to the source; no place is better for me than Xi'an. I got to experience the intense feeling of satisfaction that comes with helping people. In that way she gave me much more than I gave her.
2) Xi'an provided me with a whole new environment where I pursued a series of false starts, starting with the best of intentions and discovering numerous wrong directions.  It was exciting, painful at times but always a delight. The people who became important to me are too numerous to list and I thank them all from the bottom of my heart. False start #1 - I don't want to work full time teaching children basic English (even though its fun and I could make money doing it.) False start #2 - I am not looking to start a romantic relationship or settle down with a beautiful Chinese woman. (even though there are many that I have come to love for their amazingly good qualities) False start #3 - I'm not pursuing the challenge of starting up a new school or serving in the capacity of Principal or expert advisor. (This was not specifically offered but would have been possible based on my skills, qualifications and experience.)  What does that leave me with? I will return to China at some point, as yet unknown.  Xi'an is still the best option if I can get over the inclement weather conditions.  It's one of those future choices that I am not ready to solidify as yet.
3) The Yi Jing hexagram told me that this trip would not strengthen me.  In a way it has been a kind of side show - many awesome adventures, but somewhat of an avoidance of the core issues of my life. I have had a chance to relive some of the best passages of my 20s. I travelled the world in order to: 'arrive where I started and know the place for the first time. It's a kind of reprise - I have done this before; five countries and so many wonderful new friends.  I needed to check it out again.  What were the key elements of the experience?
I loved the warmth of the countries I visited - sunshine every day, riding a motorbike through gorgeous countryside in a T shirt and shorts. I draw energy from the sun.
I had the chance to meet an amazing variety of people from so many countries and different backgrounds. These people who explore the world in so many ways have my respect, admiration and warm friendship. Hopefully I will be able to stay in touch through FB.
Our planet is full of surprises that can fill us with wonder and joy. My most enduring image may be the bas-relief at Angkor Wat of the churning of the sea of milk. The Gods pull on the serpent, but they need the demons to pull on the other end of the serpent in order to churn the milk. The result is the drops of Amrit that can confer enlightenment on humans. My journey has been a roller coaster of the demonic and the divine. Perhaps the difficult times have combined with the delightful times to produce the Amrit; an alchemy that potentially unites us all with the creators of Angkor Wat.