Ten years ago exactly I flew out to Canada to embark on a two and a half month journey from the Atlantic to the Pacific coast, something I find hard to imagine even as I write this. I still have many fond memories and images in my head that surely it could not be that long ago? But it is; The date on the front of the calendar proves it.
So, over the next few months, as a project to myself, I will write some posts based on the places that I visited and my memories of them, along with a few photos. It will be fun for me to relive my experiences and share them with you, and will hopefully be of interest to anyone who reads them.
One of the overwhelming memories I have of that trip to Canada was the friendliness of the people I met there, whether they be youth hostel employees, museum ticket vendors or barmen. Not to mention the people I met in hostels, both local and foreign. So much so, that when I returned to London I found myself trying to talk to people in shops! A cardinal sin which any Londoner will know and I was soon pushed back into my old ways by the silences and the stares.
I was also amazed by the dramatic landscapes; The forests and lakes, mountains and waterfalls (well one waterfall in particular), and the expanse of skies. I have only really experienced anything like it since in Sweden. And coming from a relatively small island, I had to adjust my distorted sense of distance. Here a few hours will take you from one side of Britain to the other, whereas there it will barely get you across a province.
I grew a beard for the first time while there; A much bigger, bushier one than that which I have now. I learned to enjoy ice hockey, as well as getting a taste for a Tim Horton's with a boston creme donut.
All in all it was a wonderful trip, and I hope I can get that across in my future travelogues / reminiscences as we go from east coast to west.
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