[ Oh, that's -- well, he's not sure whether that's alarming or exciting. Maybe a bit of both. ]

I see... The situation is more dire than what I'd imagined initially.

[ Oh well. That's of no concern to him. If anything, it makes this "vacation" all the more fascinating. ]

It's difficult for me to imagine what that might be like, though I suppose it would be just as difficult for me to place myself in their shoes.