Staying up till 5 am, packing my bag with all my gear..... Tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, mosquito net, flash light, medicine, clothes, shoes.... OK OK. I think I am ready! I left Calgary and landed in Vancouver and I got to see a side of the city with which I grew up I had all but forgotten and had never seen before. I landed at YVR, which was strange for me, as I usually go to Abbotsford from Calgary and drive to coquitlam. I took the state of the art Canada line sky train to down town Vancouver, hopped on the sea bus over to north shore and met my cousin Heidi. I had not taken the sea bus since I was a little kid, when my nana used to take me on trips to gas town and granville island from North Van.
I had dinner with Heidi, her husband Gavin and my younger cousins. It was a truly cherished moment to catch up with my family that due to my life style I only get to see so rarely. I also got to catch up with my grand parents, get my grampas insights into his experience serving in the British army in Singapore and Malaysia, which is a place I shall visit in a month before the big haul from Nepal to Turkey
.
When I sat down with Heidi, having some wine and talking about the trip, I realized just how special it was, and how being in a family with such passionate people has had an effect on me my entire life. We are just driven and I am so blessed to have such a support network out there, for without them I would not be able to make such an undertaking happen. For this I thank all of you who have helped me lead such a fantastic young life so far.
Down to Business.... Vancouver was the perfect first step to start the journey, I went for a run last night on the North shore, 18 degrees, beautiful and the ocean air got me just fired right up for the adventure, catching transit across the city, coordinating without a local phone and finding my way through was all good practice to get me into the travel mind frame before China. And as well all know, Vancouver is basically half chinese, so seeing all the mandarin writing every where was a good stepping stone to the real thing.
I have been told that my cousin Hedi's husband Gavin's brother live in South Korea. This adds an interesting twist to the adventure and I am sure it will enhance the already incredible trip planned for south korea.
Things just keep coming up, people keep appearing and I cannot wait to see what lies in store over the pacific.
I sit right now in YVR international terminal, having a coffee and preparing for the journey ahead. I can say that being in Vancouver has been a hit, it reminds me why I need to move back here and live, hopefully after next year and I am well rested and ready to tackle Asia! As I am about to board my plane to cross the Pacific, thoughts of deja vu run through my mind of five years ago when I crossed the pacific to Beijing on my first trip outside North America. I wonder what memories shall be reignited upon arrival, what will be different, the same or completely unique. Well Vancouver has been a great first step and we are out of the block at full steam. I shall post again after I cross the worlds largest ocean and land in the capital or CHINA!
I wish everyone the best back home and abroad and I look forward to blogging about the experience in China and in North Korea.
I had dinner with Heidi, her husband Gavin and my younger cousins. It was a truly cherished moment to catch up with my family that due to my life style I only get to see so rarely. I also got to catch up with my grand parents, get my grampas insights into his experience serving in the British army in Singapore and Malaysia, which is a place I shall visit in a month before the big haul from Nepal to Turkey
When I sat down with Heidi, having some wine and talking about the trip, I realized just how special it was, and how being in a family with such passionate people has had an effect on me my entire life. We are just driven and I am so blessed to have such a support network out there, for without them I would not be able to make such an undertaking happen. For this I thank all of you who have helped me lead such a fantastic young life so far.
Down to Business.... Vancouver was the perfect first step to start the journey, I went for a run last night on the North shore, 18 degrees, beautiful and the ocean air got me just fired right up for the adventure, catching transit across the city, coordinating without a local phone and finding my way through was all good practice to get me into the travel mind frame before China. And as well all know, Vancouver is basically half chinese, so seeing all the mandarin writing every where was a good stepping stone to the real thing.
I have been told that my cousin Hedi's husband Gavin's brother live in South Korea. This adds an interesting twist to the adventure and I am sure it will enhance the already incredible trip planned for south korea.
Things just keep coming up, people keep appearing and I cannot wait to see what lies in store over the pacific.
I sit right now in YVR international terminal, having a coffee and preparing for the journey ahead. I can say that being in Vancouver has been a hit, it reminds me why I need to move back here and live, hopefully after next year and I am well rested and ready to tackle Asia! As I am about to board my plane to cross the Pacific, thoughts of deja vu run through my mind of five years ago when I crossed the pacific to Beijing on my first trip outside North America. I wonder what memories shall be reignited upon arrival, what will be different, the same or completely unique. Well Vancouver has been a great first step and we are out of the block at full steam. I shall post again after I cross the worlds largest ocean and land in the capital or CHINA!
I wish everyone the best back home and abroad and I look forward to blogging about the experience in China and in North Korea.
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